2008 Prius will NOT move + Code P0A90 Drive Motor “A” Performance

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by PriuSocal, Apr 21, 2025.

  1. PriuSocal

    PriuSocal Member

    Joined:
    Mar 23, 2023
    119
    24
    0
    Location:
    SoCal
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    2008 Prius 245k No previous mechanical or HV battery issues.

    Car was driving well until this morning when I got into the car and started it and when put into gear (D), the car would NOT move or drive and made a grind-like noise, like when you have loose change or rocks in a washer. When i hooked up my BlueDriver OBD2 scanner it gave me P0A90 Drive Motor A Performance. Car has been maintained meticulous by me and as mentioned before, no issues other than a Inverter pump replacement around 20k ago.

    Any ideas what to look for or is this a common/rare issue?

    Here is the video I took of it his morning for reference.

    https://youtube.com/shorts/FpSX5sZKzpI?si=dUBXnZrq-97ke_AG

    Thanks in advance.
     
  2. MAX2

    MAX2 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 12, 2024
    1,436
    477
    101
    Location:
    Third planet from the Sun
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    The blue adapter will not show the subcode of this error, so it is difficult to choose the exact correct path. There are several options that need to be worked on.

    https://share.qclt.com/%E4%B8%B0%E7%94%B0%E6%99%AE%E7%91%9E%E6%96%AF%E5%8E%9F%E5%8E%82%E8%8B%B1%E6%96%87%E6%89%8B%E5%86%8CPDF%E6%A0%BC%E5%BC%8F/Prius%20Service%20Manuals%202004/%E4%BF%AE%E7%90%86%E6%89%8B%E5%86%8C/04pruisr/05/21bpm/0a90242.pdf
     

    Attached Files:

  3. PriuSocal

    PriuSocal Member

    Joined:
    Mar 23, 2023
    119
    24
    0
    Location:
    SoCal
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    I do see now on Page HV-73 of the manual where there are different INF codes following P0A90. I have access to an ICON T10 scanner, Should that pin point the INF issue?

    If the Transmission needs replace, is that a DIY’ers do or something youd recommend a professional do? If its more than car is worth may just part it out as every thing else is good.
     
  4. MAX2

    MAX2 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 12, 2024
    1,436
    477
    101
    Location:
    Third planet from the Sun
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    The error code is an indication of the problem.
    This error code has many subcodes.
    The error subcode is an indication of the exact direction.

    It is like the number of a multi-story building, and the number of the office in this building.

    The transmission can be inexpensive, it rarely fails. But it is quite difficult to disassemble. You need work skills, lifts for large-sized heavy installations.
     
    PriuSocal likes this.
  5. PriuSocal

    PriuSocal Member

    Joined:
    Mar 23, 2023
    119
    24
    0
    Location:
    SoCal
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    N/A

    I guess my question to clarify is, how do I know the “sub” code for the P0A90? I know the blue driver does not give it but would a higher end scanner show that or how do I find out that “sub” code?

    BTW, where you able to hear the sound on the video I posted? I am afraid myself that it is in fact the trans but this sounds like grinding and aware this trans is belt driven more than full of gears like a standard trans.
     
  6. dolj

    dolj Senior Member

    Joined:
    May 14, 2012
    8,138
    4,147
    0
    Location:
    Wellington, New Zealand
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    The eCVT is a planetary gear split in two and joined by a chain, so plenty of opportunity for grinding noises. Although it is more likely that the clutch plate has failed, and/or the drive axle at the clutch plate has sheared.

    I'm not saying this is your problem. You will be best served by obtaining the subcode to guide your diagnosis and ultimately the repair.
     
    #6 dolj, Apr 22, 2025
    Last edited: Apr 23, 2025
    PriuSocal and Brian1954 like this.
  7. MAX2

    MAX2 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 12, 2024
    1,436
    477
    101
    Location:
    Third planet from the Sun
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    It's difficult to judge the grinding noise from a short video taken from the driver's seat.


    The Techstream program determines error codes and subcodes, records a freeze frame when an error occurs. This is a program from the manufacturer of Toyota, Lexus and Scion cars.

    Special scanners for different manufacturers, "Multi-brand scanners" can also show this data, but here there may be both no information and incorrect information.
    There is a topic on the forum where the Autel AP200 scanner is discussed, which shows data on various Gen2 ECUs well.

    It is necessary to find out the error code and subcode, otherwise all actions will bring little benefit, but a lot of expenses from your wallet. I would not change parts thoughtlessly. Moreover, a number of subcodes can indicate problems in the wiring.
     
    PriuSocal likes this.
  8. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 29, 2020
    11,762
    2,080
    0
    Location:
    Durham NC
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    Base
    The ap200 will show your sub code for this code right in the list I don't know how to explain it but it doesn't no problem and you'll be changing your transmission it's not that bad of a job I don't know if I'd part a nice car out for that you can get them for near free if you were closer here you can just pick one up there's like three they rarely do this this is an outlier problem I've read about five maybe never done one personally but it's an easy transmission to change for the most part other than the inverter coming out and if you sets of wires but easy access nice clean bolts stuff just pulls out I can get people to come do it in the driveway a lot of guys now have a lift goes into their receiver on the back of their vehicle and can swing 180°, so they lift the transmission out swing it around set it down pick up the other one swing the boom around set it in the car it's literally that quick then that hoist on hitches from the hitch and goes right in the back of the truck station wagon van or whatever
     
  9. PriuSocal

    PriuSocal Member

    Joined:
    Mar 23, 2023
    119
    24
    0
    Location:
    SoCal
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    So I went to my local junk yard and they are having a 50% off for memorial day and happen to find an 07 with access to the trans since they had removed the inverter and ABS pump. I decided to give it a shot and try to remove it to know what to expect on my removal. It was easier than expected (of course once inverter is removed) removing about 7-8 14mm bolts that hold it on to the motor and the wiring along with bottom and top mount. The transmission fell right down with no need to remove anything else. Some shop said they had to take the motor out to access the trans and youtube has ZERO videos showing a removal of ONLY the transmission.

    My question is, is there anything I am suppose to make sure I take along with this transmission (ecu, cables, etc) for this to be plug and play? I was trying to see where the damper goes but I assume its sanwdwiched in between the trans casing. The Jyard wants $250 with 3 months warranty so its the cheapest I found it (offer up has them for $300-$400).

    Any pointers before I go pick this up tomorrow?

    Below is a photo of the transmission removed.

    Unknown.jpeg 1000176363.jpg
     
  10. PriuSocal

    PriuSocal Member

    Joined:
    Mar 23, 2023
    119
    24
    0
    Location:
    SoCal
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
  11. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 29, 2020
    11,762
    2,080
    0
    Location:
    Durham NC
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    Base
    The torque plate sits on the back of the motor it's still on the engine if you want that you need 17 mm I think that removes flywheel bolts in your electric gun you blast those off put a pry bar or a wrench behind the plate rocket a little bit and it'll fall off and hit the rocks just like the transmission did look at the springs make sure they're not damaged or showing silver or they slammed that way you'll know what's happening
     
  12. PriuSocal

    PriuSocal Member

    Joined:
    Mar 23, 2023
    119
    24
    0
    Location:
    SoCal
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Update, So I went back to the junk yard to pick up the transmission and I was lucky enough to meet a guy who worked on them and advised me that the transmission was missing the damper since it goes on the motor (i thought it was inside the transmission case) and we went back and the motor i pulled it from did NOT have a damper bolted to the motor ( i dropped the trans myself). So I went and removed another trans and same thing, no damper inside. Tried a 3rd prius and AGAIN NO DAMPER on the motors. Odd thing is all the transmissions were sealed and bolted up. One was 2006, 2007 and 2008.

    Guy said they were most likely removed but I find that hard to believe that in all 3 trans were removed and put back together perfectly and torqued without the damper. Etiher way, I had given up and was on my way out when I saw another prius. Checked in the peep hole and there was a damper inside. I removed the trans and indeed, great condition damper and a great deal since it was 50% off day at the junk yard.

    Well now, I pulled the codes again and its giving me a P0335 and PA080 but i feel that its because the battery was dead and couldnt keep a charge long enough for the scanner to give me more details. I am now charging the battery to hopefully rescan and see if I get the P0A90 code for the Driver Motor A and its sub code. I was lnt getting any other codes than the drive A motor so these 2 codes are new.

    Additional thing is that when I turned the car on again, you can just hear the grinding in between the motor and trans which Im almost sure its the damper springs that broke off but still have to take my trans out to replace it. Dealer wanted $1100 for just the damper.
     
  13. PriuSocal

    PriuSocal Member

    Joined:
    Mar 23, 2023
    119
    24
    0
    Location:
    SoCal
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    One las thing, I do no t want to keep turning the car on whit that grinding noise so how am i suppose to keep the HV battery charged up so it doesnt deplete and die ?
     
  14. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 29, 2020
    11,762
    2,080
    0
    Location:
    Durham NC
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    Base
    Well I'm assuming you have some kind of a charger you're plugging to your battery or were you talking about your 12 volt if you don't keep trying to start the car the HV battery won't go dead just sitting there for a couple of weeks while you're working on your car at least mine hasn't ever it's always started once I put the 12 volt in and everything's back together ready the car step on the gas and it fires right up I bet it would even do it down somewhere around 100 volts in the hybrid battery or something like that not sure but it seems like it will. I'm not sure about the damper business it should be pretty similar to the Gen 3 the damper inner portion bolts to the back of the crankshaft just like a flywheel does it almost weighs what a flywheel does and then the part with the spring springs the torque plate goes inside of that and is held on with I don't know 12 mm gold headed bolts and then the transmission shaft slides on to the splines in the middle of the torque plate so you pulled three transmissions literally off of the engines and they're no torque plates you see that spleened shaft from the transmission that you just pulled out of a car that should go up into the torque plate the thing with the springs and behind that is the flywheel heavy thing that's bolted with the five or six bolts just like a flywheel. That seems funny because the car can't move without it are you sure you're just not seeing it for some reason because all you're going to see is Three springs and a splined hole looks like a clutch assembly and you're wondering where the friction material is?
     
  15. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 29, 2020
    11,762
    2,080
    0
    Location:
    Durham NC
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    Base
    the battery shouldn't deplete and die in any normal amount of time like say 4 months I regularly walk up to these cars that have been sitting four to eight months in front of a person's house bring a 12 volt put it in the car and start the car after I've paid the person so they can't get their money back and give me the money and keep the car because most of these I drive away from where I go to get them so you changing an engine unless it's going to be a two-year job or changing the transmission should not be a problem you're just going to change your transmission put in the torque plate put the transmission up to drive axles and start the car and go driving and that's pretty much be the end of that I would imagine the no torque plates where you're removing these transmissions is extremely interesting I wish you were not just not seeing something when you pull the transmission out like I say you should be looking at something that looks like a clutch hub with three springs I think in it and that's it I don't see how these cars drove or got to the junkyard or to the auction house to be sold with no torque plates in them they must have been driving at some point