Hybrid System Warning Issue

Discussion in 'Prius v Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by AbiDuf, Jan 11, 2023.

Tags:
  1. AbiDuf

    AbiDuf New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 11, 2023
    3
    1
    0
    Location:
    United Kingdom
    Vehicle:
    2014 Prius
    Model:
    N/A


    I have a 2014 Prius which is a japanese import (to the UK) and had 60k on the clock.

    Since september I have been having an issue with the 'Hybrid System Warning Light' coming on. The light comes on and the hybrid system shuts off. The mechanic I have been going to has told me that the battery is functioning at about 60-70%, so seems to have a lot of life left in it. When he attachs it to the computer it says that the hybrid battery needs replacing.

    He can reset the system and the car works fine for 4-5weeks before the error comes back up again. He has tried various things to fix it including:
    - Replacing the auxiliary battery
    - Cleaning the hybrid system including the cooling fan filter, colling fan and ducts
    - Taking out the battery and replacing/checking all the wires that link eveything together

    I am at the point where we are considering getting a new battery, however I am a bit loathe to do it as I think the car is quite young and doesnt have a high mileage, also it seems to be functioning well for quite long periods.

    Has anyone else had this issue? Could you give me some advice?

    Thanks, Abi
     
    #1 AbiDuf, Jan 11, 2023
  2. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2008
    9,301
    5,667
    7
    Location:
    Texas Hill Country
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Three
    Unfortunately, batteries are often degraded by age as much as by miles. Sometimes allowing them to sit without operating for a long period of time is equally bad.

    Certainly an option is to open up your hv battery and clean the bus bars, and perhaps replace the worst modules. Which is exactly what the battery refurb people do with limited success.

    The best solution is to replace the group of cells with new.
     
    #2 rjparker, Jan 11, 2023
  3. AbiDuf

    AbiDuf New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 11, 2023
    3
    1
    0
    Location:
    United Kingdom
    Vehicle:
    2014 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Thanks for getting back to me!

    I think the previous owner must have not used it too much because it only had 30k on the clock when we got it in June 2019.

    The mechanic has said that the report he has produced doesn't show any degradation in any particular group of cells. He has got the car again today for a few last checks.

    From reading through some previous posts on here I can see that perhaps replacing the whole battery might be the best way to go. I'm now just worried the car might go into limp mode before the new battery arrives!
     
    #3 AbiDuf, Jan 12, 2023
  4. vvillovv

    vvillovv Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 19, 2013
    4,315
    1,494
    1
    Location:
    NY
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Plus
    I'd recommend getting the DrPrius app on your smartphone (if have one), and an inexpensive ODB2 bluetooth adapter - activate the DrPrius app, battery tests - and get your own report of the traction pack health.
    Hummm .....

    That's not a difficult job, if experienced. There are tricks to getting results that last longer than a few weeks.
     
    #4 vvillovv, Jan 12, 2023
    Last edited: Jan 12, 2023
    Mendel Leisk likes this.
  5. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    58,439
    40,239
    80
    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    I’d second Dr Prius app. Take screenshot and post here, the one that looks like this:

    8789C352-D795-41AB-9C90-A00E53CAEE49.jpeg
     
    #5 Mendel Leisk, Jan 12, 2023
  6. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 30, 2008
    25,987
    16,956
    0
    Location:
    Indiana, USA
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    I'd rather see the actual code, but I'm assuming he means it was P0A80.

    The conditions the ECU has to see to set that code are kind of stringent, so it's entirely possible that you clear the code and are able to drive for some time before the ECU rediscovers there's a problem, and sets the code again. You can keep doing that until you can't ... sometimes the way you find out when you can't anymore is a bang and bad smells from the back of the car, and a tow.
     
    #6 ChapmanF, Jan 12, 2023
  7. vvillovv

    vvillovv Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 19, 2013
    4,315
    1,494
    1
    Location:
    NY
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Plus
    Don't sugar coat it Chap.
    Seriously, Chap is correct, if your cars problem is actually the traction packs condition or lack there of.

    DrPrius will also show most of the traction pack related DTC (diagnostic trouble codes) so you might be able to see what code the car is throwing when you get them.
     
    #7 vvillovv, Jan 12, 2023
    Last edited: Jan 12, 2023
  8. AbiDuf

    AbiDuf New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 11, 2023
    3
    1
    0
    Location:
    United Kingdom
    Vehicle:
    2014 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Thanks so much for all your responses, I've ordered a Veepeak OBD2 scanner as recommended by Dr Prius and I'll post a report here once I get it. The mechanic had another look at the car yesterday and has suggested that as the problem is so intermittent I should just clear the codes myself with the OBD2 scanner until the error comes up more frequently and then he can get the new battery ordered asap.

    I was concerned about the potential of a bang and bad smells but he said it shouldn't damage the car to keep the battery going for a while longer, so fingers crossed!
     
    #8 AbiDuf, Jan 13, 2023
    vvillovv likes this.
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)