Dreaded P0A80 Code - Car Running / Charging Good.

Need a l little clarification on the universal trip part:

Where it says “drive at least 5 mins at 25 mph” but total active test time before checking for cleared DTC has to be 10 min or more. I live near a heavy traffic area with at least 5-6 stop lights / 5 mins from the highway which is the only place I can possibly get the car to do a consistent 25 mph, but id like to get back home to finalize the procedure, so As long as i do the 5 min of driving at 25mph and active test is at least 10 min, there is no time limit one has to stay under etc?

 

Thanks for your input. I must say I have a few theories as to how the P0A80 permanent code got there. Although, I did mentioned earlier in the post that I got that code and 2 cells were not charging adequately BUT the code was NOT permanent and i was able to clear it. The car was mostly parked in the last 2 years, got a new battery in the last 6 mos after old one died (read a bad 12v can cause a p0A80 as well), When working on it myself recently, I forgot to properly latch the safety plug back on causing all sorts of warning lights and “check hybrid system” message etc.

 

Well I just tried my 1st cycle and here is some info and concerns I have:

1. Connect the Techstream to the DLC3. Connected Autel AP200
2. Turn the power switch on (IG) and turn the Techstream on. DONE
3. Clear the DTCs (even if no DTs are stored, perform the clear DTC procedure). THE AP200 DID NOT GIVE ME OPTION TO CLEAR DTC’S SINCE THERE ARE NONE PRESENT, so not sure if the cycle was invalid already due to this,
4. Turn the power switch off. DONE
5. Turn the power switch on (READY) and turn the Techstream on. DONE
6. Perform a universal trip. This part had me confused after doing it. I drove at 25mph or more nonstop for 5 minutes BUT upon parking and reading another post, they write that UNIVERSAL TRIP is actually the vehicle needing to be in MAINTENANCE MODE while performing this step and I did not put it into inspection mode, I just drove it normally since the confirmation driving pattern instructions don't explain this key part. Also, I have seen multiple videos that specifically state you are NOT to drive the vehicle in inspection mode. So I need some clarification here.
7. With the select lever in N, leave the vehicle until SOC drops to 30%. At this point I dont think it matters because of what the last step mentioned BUT when I parked the car was at 70% and when I put it in N, it dropped to 30% after like 30 minutes or so.
   HINT:
   Although DTC P3000 (INF 388) may be stored if the SOC drops to 20% or lower, this is not a malfunction.
8. Enter the following menus: Powertrain / Hybrid Control / Trouble Codes. This is another step I am stumped about. The Autel AP200 shows NO codes either in the ECU or Hybrid System, not even a Permanent pA080 code BUT the BlueDriver scanner shows the PA080 Permanent code when running the initial CEL scan. So I am confused as to which scanner is actually correct as I may be chasing a ghost here.
9. Check that permanent DTCs are cleared N/A

 

As a follow up to the above post. I also scanned the car with my Icon T10 scanner and that shows 0 codes present anywhere, even Permanent codes so could I be chasing a Ghost here?????? It appears only my BlueDriver scanner is picking up a permanent p0A80 code here. Also, my IM readiness shows OK/Complete and ready to perform smog. Any thoughts?

 

I drove freeway speeds (55mph +) for about 8-9 minutes straight. Which was about 6-7 miles so it's well over the recommended amount. I think ill have to go to the smog spot like this as I don’t see how a cheaper bluedriver scanner would tell me theres a permanent code and not a T10 which is much more sophisticated.

A quick online check shows the Autel Ap200 does read permanent codes.

"Autel AP200 Capabilities
Reading Codes

• The Autel AP200 can read various types of diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs), including permanent codes.
• It supports OBD-II functions, which allow it to check for DTCs and monitor vehicle systems.

Permanent Codes

• Permanent codes are stored in the vehicle's computer and indicate issues that have not been resolved.
• The AP200 can access these codes, helping users identify ongoing problems that may need attention."

This is def odd.

 

Update: I just hooked up a Zurich ZR11 scanner and that one also showed a Permanent P0A80 code. Looks like the Autels are not recognizing permanent codes like this while cheaper scanners are and @ASRDogman mentioned (or questioned) …hmm

 

Broken one what? Scanner? IDK as I know as both my AP200 and T10 had caught the P0A80 on my Gen 2 when I was in the middle of doing the transmission swap.

You read my mind on that battery disconnect, was just trying to avoid it since others have said driving it simply removes the code at times.

 

Sorry not following you on the above bold comment. Are you saying the part where the procedure asks for “Universal Trip” is not referring to putting the car on maintenance mode?

If so, this is what I was referencing when googling “what is a universal trip driving cycle on toyota”

Perform the universal trip. HINT: The driving pattern to obtain a normal judgment and the universal trip driving can be performed consecutively in the same driving cycle.

1. Put the engine in inspection mode .
   
   
2. Idle the engine for 30 seconds or more.
   
   
3. Drive the vehicle at 25 mph (40 km/h) or more for a total of 5 minutes or more. HINT: It is possible to complete the drive pattern even if the vehicle decelerates to less than 25 mph (40 km/h) during the driving cycle provided that the vehicle is driven at 25 mph (40 km/h) or more for a total of 5 minutes.
   
   
4. Allow 10 minutes or more to elapse from the time the engine is started. (i) Enter the following menus: Powertrain / Engine and ECT / Trouble Codes. (j) Check that the permanent DTCs have been cleared. HINT: The permanent DTCs are cleared when the universal trip is completed.

as well as this post on here:

Anyone successfully cleared permanent P0A80 DTC? | PriusChat