P0B3D [0x0B3D] Check Hybrid System

Well you got brake issues in unit 2 nice it tells ya. That 1310 will get ya everytime

 

C1259 and C1310 from the brake system are both codes that simply mean "yes, the brake system is aware of the hybrid code(s) you have". Doesn't mean anything wrong with the brakes (only they won't do regen, because that requires the hybrid system to be trouble-free).

A Prius that can't "engage the electric motor at all" is also a Prius that can't start the gasoline engine or move. So in your case, the car definitely can "engage the electric motor", you're just noticing a change in the rules of engagement, because of the known battery problem.

Those voltage sensor wiring issues can be not too hard to fix. Toyota doesn't sell that sensor wire harness as a separate part for gen 3, but there is a vendor (acenbay?) that has posted around here and sells a version.

In some cases, the battery smart unit will also need repair or replacement.

 

If you take it to a Toyota dealership, they will check for trouble codes and charge you a diagnostic fee ($150 to $200). If they read the same codes you listed in post #1, they will tell you that the hybrid battery needs to be replaced ($2600 to $3400) and the hybrid battery smart unit may also need to be replaced ($$$).

The best thing to do is find a hybrid specialist near you and have them look at the car. One very good specialist in Florida is Tampa Hybrids, which is located quite far from you. There are other hybrid specialists near you. Just do a search.

 

The search function is working again on this forum, and I was able to find that a PriusChat member used Exclusively Hybrid located in Lake Park, FL, to replace the brake actuator on his Gen 2 Prius. They seem to be fairly close to you. Give them a call and tell them that your car has a P0B3D code and ask them for a quick estimate to fix the problem.

 

congrats, all the best!

 

How did Eric's Wrench determine that the hybrid battery was bad? Did they find a P0A80 trouble code? Corrosion on the terminals, nuts, and bus bars does not mean the battery is bad.

The usual fix for the P0B3D code is to replace the voltage sensing wiring harness and the hybrid battery smart unit if needed. Read the last half of post #4. FYI, both of those two items were replaced when Greentec replaced the complete hybrid battery assembly.