Gen II Battery Rebuild Gone Bad....

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Terry TampaBay, Jul 26, 2014.

  1. Terry TampaBay

    Terry TampaBay New Member

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    I replaced a bad module in my '06 110,000-mile Prius - all modules were up around 7.8V and the apparent bad one was 6.6V. I replaced the bad module with a good module (7.8V). After installing the battery pack, I get more lights on the dash than when things went bad - and the car won't even go into Drive.

    Any suggestions on how to trouble-shoot this thing?

    Thanks!!!

    Terry in TampaBay, Florida

    w/ a Prius in my carport that won't move! IMG_0879.JPG
     
    #1 Terry TampaBay, Jul 26, 2014
  2. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    I assume that the photo you posted is not representative of the battery in its "installed" condition.

    Check the orange traction battery interlock switch.

    When it is inserted, you have to pivot the lever 90 degrees. Then slide the lever to lock it in place.
     
    #2 Patrick Wong, Jul 26, 2014
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  3. Terry TampaBay

    Terry TampaBay New Member

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    Thanks for the reply. Yes, I'm quite sure I put the switch back in properly. I'll double check it today just to be sure. I sure hope it is something as simple as that! Oh, and yes, you are correct, that the photo is a shot I took for reference to be sure I put everything back together properly. :)
     
    #3 Terry TampaBay, Jul 27, 2014
  4. dorunron

    dorunron Senior Member

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    The last step of sliding the interlock is overlooked by many. It is a common error, even by the best of us. I would remove the interlock and then reinstall it making certain that the interlock is slid into the locked position after you swing the lever on the interlock. If the safety interlock is not engaged properly all sorts of lights on the dash will appear and the Prius will get real stupid on you.

    Ron (dorunron)
     
    #4 dorunron, Jul 27, 2014
  5. Terry TampaBay

    Terry TampaBay New Member

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    Major step in right direction - Prius is now running - with almost no dash warning lights! BUT, I still have the Red Triangle Of Death - that's the only active warning light left. Apparently, when reconnecting the hybrid pack and 12V battery, I did it in the wrong order - I reconnected the 12V first. Apparently when I did it that way the 12V system detected the hybrid pack was unplugged and I got the huge display of lights on the dash. This time I plugged the hybrid pack in first and then the 12V and now the only warning display on the dash is the red triangle. However, now the car will go into drive - I drove it up to the corner and filled up the fuel tank. Hybrid pack system seems to be charging normally (dash display), I can drive in battery-only mode - everything seems happy. Just that darn red triangle warning light on the dash. What does that mean, and how can I get rid of it?!?!?!?!?!? Thanks so much!
     
    #5 Terry TampaBay, Jul 28, 2014
  6. jdcollins5

    jdcollins5 Senior Member

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    Try disconnecting the 12V battery again for a minute or two now that th car is movable and see if this will clear the stored DTC. If this does not you will need to get a Prius specific scanner and read the DTC. Post on here so the codes can be deciphered.
     
    #6 jdcollins5, Jul 28, 2014
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  7. Terry TampaBay

    Terry TampaBay New Member

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    Where/how can I "get a Prius specific scanner"? I believe there is a way to get into the display screen on the dash and get it to display any error codes - I did it one time a long time ago - I think the procedure is described somewhere in this forum. I'll look for it and see what my error code display might tell me. I will post what I find.

    But I presume the "Prius specific scanner" is something different? Will it give me more/better info than that which the Prius itself can give me?
     
    #7 Terry TampaBay, Jul 28, 2014
  8. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    1. Forget about the MFD - it does not show any error codes associated with the power train.
    2. Mini VCI is your best bet, which requires you load it on a Windows XP or Windows 7, 32 bit OS laptop.

     
    #8 Patrick Wong, Jul 28, 2014
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  9. Terry TampaBay

    Terry TampaBay New Member

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    Is there a Mac version?
     
    #9 Terry TampaBay, Jul 28, 2014
  10. dolj

    dolj Senior Member

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    No.

    But you can run it on a Mac in a virtual machine such as Parallels, VMWare or Bootcamp.
     
    #10 dolj, Jul 28, 2014
  11. Terry TampaBay

    Terry TampaBay New Member

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    Well, looks like I'm in good shape now. I unplugged the 12V battery for several minutes, plugged it back in and now I have no warning lights. Car seems to run and operate well. Will take for good test drive and see how it goes, but I think I'm back in business. Thanks to all!
     
    #11 Terry TampaBay, Jul 28, 2014
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  12. dorunron

    dorunron Senior Member

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    Sounds like another traction battery repair that has been completed. Good job Terry. Only time will tell how long it will last. It depends on the quality of the cells/modules in the pack now along with how the Prius is being used. As long as the voltages are operating within the normal parameters the Prius will be happy and deliver more miles saving you more gas.

    Ron
     
    #12 dorunron, Jul 28, 2014
  13. Tony D

    Tony D Active Member

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    Good stuff :)
     
    #13 Tony D, Jul 28, 2014
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