Changed inverter and Engine coolant, now check hybrid system and engine light on

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by BigKat, Sep 7, 2019.

  1. BigKat

    BigKat New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 7, 2019
    3
    1
    0
    Location:
    West Palm Beach
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Greetings to all. 1st post after stalking forum and Nutz about Boltz videos. I have a 2015 Prius 2 134,000 miles. Bought in June with 119,000. I’m a diy’r and changed trans oil and engine oil at 122,000. Today I change engine oil and coolant, and inverter coolant. Also cleaned throttle body. Thanks again to Nutz. Followed video to a tee. Put car in maintenance mode and topped off coolant..

    An hour later, started the car to leave and the Orange triangle and “check hybrid system, stop in a safe place” system waning was on. Checked fluids, and inverter reservoir was really low. Top it off and started again. Same warnings! What’s can I do? I’m putting about 3,500 miles/month on it and it’s been running great.
     
    #1 BigKat, Sep 7, 2019
  2. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 1, 2016
    11,263
    15,512
    0
    Location:
    Bay Area, California
    Vehicle:
    2019 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Plus
    Welcome to Prius Chat (y).

    Some questions:

    • How full did you fill the inverter reservoir ?
    • Is the coolant leaking underneath?
    • Did you reuse the crush washer?
    • What did the washer look like that was placed in service?
    I’ve seen some washers that were “out of flat” cause issues;).

    @The Critic had one that didn’t seal well and he had a similar issue:cool:.

    So it could be that. Good luck and keep us posted (y).
     
    #2 Raytheeagle, Sep 7, 2019
    Mendel Leisk, The Critic and Xterra72 like this.
  3. BigKat

    BigKat New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 7, 2019
    3
    1
    0
    Location:
    West Palm Beach
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    I filled it up to the full line and cycled the system by pushing start and stop per the Nutz video. I reused the crush washer as it seemed fine.(I did use new ones for the trans and oil). I haven’t checked underneath to see if it’s still leaking as it’s dark. Will do in the morning. If the fluid remains full how can I clear the codes? Will I be able to drive it? There’s a hybrid mechanic nearby I will be paying a visit. Thanks!
     
    #3 BigKat, Sep 7, 2019
  4. The Critic

    The Critic Resident Critic

    Joined:
    Oct 28, 2005
    3,193
    2,327
    0
    Location:
    CA
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    Remove the underbody cover and check the inverter drain plug. I used a new crush washer that was not perfectly flat and it caused a massive coolant leak.
     
    #4 The Critic, Sep 7, 2019
    Raytheeagle likes this.
  5. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 1, 2016
    11,263
    15,512
    0
    Location:
    Bay Area, California
    Vehicle:
    2019 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Plus
    You can pull the 12 volt battery lead to reset the system:).

    But look to see where the fluid is being lost is what I would suggest next;).

    Good luck and keep us posted (y).
     
    #5 Raytheeagle, Sep 8, 2019
    BigKat likes this.
  6. iskoos

    iskoos Active Member

    Joined:
    Dec 24, 2017
    403
    251
    0
    Location:
    Orlando, FL
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    Would the car throw "Check Hybrid System" warning when the inverter coolant is low?
     
    #6 iskoos, Sep 8, 2019
  7. BigKat

    BigKat New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 7, 2019
    3
    1
    0
    Location:
    West Palm Beach
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    I disconnected the negative side of the 12 volt battery cable for 5 minutes as recommended. After reattaching, everything is fine! The inverter coolant did not leak out. I guess that when I filled the reservoir after draining, it didn’t cycle through after turning on 5 times. So maybe that’s why it was so low when I started it last night? Very grateful for advice.

    My new thread will be a question on why the throttle body was so dirty and oily after only 3 months and 10,000 miles?

    Thanks to all!
     
    #7 BigKat, Sep 8, 2019
    Raytheeagle likes this.
  8. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 1, 2016
    11,263
    15,512
    0
    Location:
    Bay Area, California
    Vehicle:
    2019 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Plus
    It will if the inverter gets warm:whistle:.

    So the temp getting high might have done it, but there is a code to tell you what is the matter;).

    Find the code as well as the leak and you should be able to sort it out(y).
     
    #8 Raytheeagle, Sep 8, 2019
  9. iskoos

    iskoos Active Member

    Joined:
    Dec 24, 2017
    403
    251
    0
    Location:
    Orlando, FL
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    This makes more sense. It probably overheated as you mentioned and threw a Hybrid system code.
     
    #9 iskoos, Sep 8, 2019
    Raytheeagle likes this.
  10. The Critic

    The Critic Resident Critic

    Joined:
    Oct 28, 2005
    3,193
    2,327
    0
    Location:
    CA
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    There’s a fault code for inverter pump flow.
     
    #10 The Critic, Sep 8, 2019
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)