My Lexus 450h Warning "Check Hybrid System"
#91
I too have an issue with my 2013 Rx450h (180,000 miles) Check Hybrid AND Check Brake SYSTEM dashlights came on, I've searched high and low thru the forums for guidance but no luck. I thought buying a new refurbished hybrid battery would do it (which I did), but post battery install the lights came back on in 12 hours-so its not the battery. I took to dealer, they said I need a new battery/pack for $6500 (just spent $3000 on the refurbished battery). I'm having battery company come back out, but my concern is that there is a separate issue causing the hybrid system to switch off and the dashlights to come on. Car REVS very loudly but still drives, and brakes work fine. Any suggestions on what else to troubleshoot, and/or replace? Also, anyone know any hybrid expert mechanics/shops in Eastern Massachusetts? My local guys wouldn't touch it. Thanks (error code when I went to dealer was POA80, they also said I need to have my timing cover replaced, and because of these 2 big ticket items wouldn't take the car on trade-which sadly is beautiful/spotless inside and out, but wont pass the state inspection with the error lights on!)
#92
Some issues will cause immediate setting of the CEL and some are tested again and again. In the repeat test mode, the error is recorded as pending [observed] and they may clear out if it is not observed again or set [lit up] if they are repeated. These pending codes can only be read by the reader.
Note: Speaking about pass/fail, the requirements are different from Sate to State and even county to county in each state. Since I live in Texas, the law has changed where now the safety testing has been eliminated and only emission testing [county based] is the new requirement. The good thing is counties which require emission testing at least state that they will provide assistance in fixing the vehicle. [not sure how and what they do].
Salim
#93
the strangest thing just happened....I had the 12v battery disconnected for about 4 hours because I worked on getting the rear seats out of the car....I wanted to open up the hybrid battery pack to test voltage on the cell modules....it got pretty late so I had to repark the car....after reconnecting the battery, and as I started moving the car, I realized that I was running on battery mode and there were no warning lights for the hybrid battery anymore....I drove for about 5 miles around town...keeping it under 20 to 25 miles to run on battery only and then speeding up to test that the engine was charging the hybrid battery....the hybrid system is operating normally again...not sure what happened but the only warning lights on is for the brake system (ABS, traction)....has anyone experienced this before?...is this just temporary and will the hybrid battery warning light come on again soon?
Last edited by luckyJ; 08-30-24 at 06:08 AM.
#94
If you don't mind my saying so, you my friend are flying blind. Get hold of the Dr Prius App and get the in depth knowledge of the state of the traction battery. Then you will be able to make an informed decision.
Sometimes a master clear/reset can eliminate any stored codes/re-center the operation.
We can all hope that the error is gone for good.
Salim
PS: wait for few days before you return or re-sell the battery you purchased, Reminder ,, for sale items go under Market place or through private mail.
Sometimes a master clear/reset can eliminate any stored codes/re-center the operation.
We can all hope that the error is gone for good.
Salim
PS: wait for few days before you return or re-sell the battery you purchased, Reminder ,, for sale items go under Market place or through private mail.
#96
I purchased the Dr. Prius app and was able to get some more info on my battery pack health....I also read thru a bunch of Prius forum chats re hybrid battery servicing/replacement....and a bunch of youtube videos on how to discharge and rebalance the batteries....the only issue is I don't have any tools to do this rebalancing step...does anybody know anyone in SoCal who is able to do this? I called a few local shops and they all want near $1500 to do just a servicing...I figure a new battery is $2500 delivered and if I'm able to get some $ back after selling the old pack, it's better to just buy new....still trying to figure out what best to do here...as long as weather stays not so hot, the check engine light doesn't want to come on....aaargh!
#97
Share your learning or just point to useful info.
I was under the impression that one should replace the bad cells and did not realize the need of balancing. There is lot to be learnt.
I would not be looking for a situation where the CEL will light up. As long as it is off, I am happy.
Salim
I was under the impression that one should replace the bad cells and did not realize the need of balancing. There is lot to be learnt.
I would not be looking for a situation where the CEL will light up. As long as it is off, I am happy.
Salim
#98
here is a Prius owners thread on battery re-conditioning...the Prolong battery conditioner is going for about $800 for the Lexus RX450h....there is a youtuber who has built his own battery balancer/conditioner and gives a good tutorial on servicing...
Prolong Hybrid Battery Reconditioning | BobIsTheOilGuy
Prolong Hybrid Battery Reconditioning | BobIsTheOilGuy
#99
Thank you for sharing.
Here is my simple but imperfect* solution ... check individual battery voltage [with some load]. Rank order them based on voltage. Select the highest voltage cells and replace as many you can on the lowest side. **
*: Where my process is imperfect is that you are counting on new batteries to have no internal issues where they are unable to be charged up to atleast the level of the batteries you intended to keep.
**: I need to research if group low-voltage level is better than few highfliers.
I know Lexus is all about in pursuit of perfection, but for an old [for me 12yr old] vehicle, I don't need to have it at 100%. YMVV
Salim
Here is my simple but imperfect* solution ... check individual battery voltage [with some load]. Rank order them based on voltage. Select the highest voltage cells and replace as many you can on the lowest side. **
*: Where my process is imperfect is that you are counting on new batteries to have no internal issues where they are unable to be charged up to atleast the level of the batteries you intended to keep.
**: I need to research if group low-voltage level is better than few highfliers.
I know Lexus is all about in pursuit of perfection, but for an old [for me 12yr old] vehicle, I don't need to have it at 100%. YMVV
Salim
#100
was able to load test each cell and identified 3 bad ones in the passenger side module set....the tester from Amazon was only $20 and very easy to use...the error code I got of Battery Block 3 as being weak had zero correlation with the location of the bad cells in the pack...so as others have mentioned, it is best to load test each cell to identify bad cells...
#101
2012 Lexus RX450H HYBRID BATTERY
I have had "CHECK HYBRID SYSTEM/ ABS BRAKING" information flashing on my dash cluster.
I disconnect the negative terminal on the 12v battery and reconnect after 5 minutes and the system resets.
I can then continue driving until the display lights up again.
I can drive between 100km and on the last occasion 496km, before the information comes up again.
I drive an average of 10km per day.
Is it detrimental to keep on resetting the system and is there danger of the hybrid battery overheating and causing a fire.
As I am in South Africa, I have been quoted 72000 ZAR, to have the battery replaced.
Can any please assist with suggestions.
I disconnect the negative terminal on the 12v battery and reconnect after 5 minutes and the system resets.
I can then continue driving until the display lights up again.
I can drive between 100km and on the last occasion 496km, before the information comes up again.
I drive an average of 10km per day.
Is it detrimental to keep on resetting the system and is there danger of the hybrid battery overheating and causing a fire.
As I am in South Africa, I have been quoted 72000 ZAR, to have the battery replaced.
Can any please assist with suggestions.
#102
I have had "CHECK HYBRID SYSTEM/ ABS BRAKING" information flashing on my dash cluster.
I disconnect the negative terminal on the 12v battery and reconnect after 5 minutes and the system resets.
I can then continue driving until the display lights up again.
I can drive between 100km and on the last occasion 496km, before the information comes up again.
I drive an average of 10km per day.
Is it detrimental to keep on resetting the system and is there danger of the hybrid battery overheating and causing a fire.
As I am in South Africa, I have been quoted 72000 ZAR, to have the battery replaced.
Can any please assist with suggestions.
I disconnect the negative terminal on the 12v battery and reconnect after 5 minutes and the system resets.
I can then continue driving until the display lights up again.
I can drive between 100km and on the last occasion 496km, before the information comes up again.
I drive an average of 10km per day.
Is it detrimental to keep on resetting the system and is there danger of the hybrid battery overheating and causing a fire.
As I am in South Africa, I have been quoted 72000 ZAR, to have the battery replaced.
Can any please assist with suggestions.
Warning message accompanied by machine going into limp mode is a strong indication that something is very wrong and the vehicle should be taken in for repairs.
There is a diagnostic port OBDII and cheap or advanced readers can be connected to it to query the onboard computer to zero in to actual failure [can be zone of failure]. To narrow down to actual failing part requires skill to diagnose or simply luck [when one by one all parts are replaced].
Please invest in the reader and list down the error codes to get a meaningful discussion.
If a diagnosis by a professional has been made then you have to trust it or go to another mechanic for second opinion.
By resetting you are only clearing a fault and when you drive it comes back. Manufacturer has already determined that driving with the error present needs immediate attention.
Cost of repair analysis only plays a part in determining if it is work keeping the vehicle? For most owners selling the vehicle with issues has financial loss.
Salim
#103
Welcome to Club Lexus.
Warning message accompanied by machine going into limp mode is a strong indication that something is very wrong and the vehicle should be taken in for repairs.
There is a diagnostic port OBDII and cheap or advanced readers can be connected to it to query the onboard computer to zero in to actual failure [can be zone of failure]. To narrow down to actual failing part requires skill to diagnose or simply luck [when one by one all parts are replaced].
Please invest in the reader and list down the error codes to get a meaningful discussion.
If a diagnosis by a professional has been made then you have to trust it or go to another mechanic for second opinion.
By resetting you are only clearing a fault and when you drive it comes back. Manufacturer has already determined that driving with the error present needs immediate attention.
Cost of repair analysis only plays a part in determining if it is work keeping the vehicle? For most owners selling the vehicle with issues has financial loss.
Salim
Warning message accompanied by machine going into limp mode is a strong indication that something is very wrong and the vehicle should be taken in for repairs.
There is a diagnostic port OBDII and cheap or advanced readers can be connected to it to query the onboard computer to zero in to actual failure [can be zone of failure]. To narrow down to actual failing part requires skill to diagnose or simply luck [when one by one all parts are replaced].
Please invest in the reader and list down the error codes to get a meaningful discussion.
If a diagnosis by a professional has been made then you have to trust it or go to another mechanic for second opinion.
By resetting you are only clearing a fault and when you drive it comes back. Manufacturer has already determined that driving with the error present needs immediate attention.
Cost of repair analysis only plays a part in determining if it is work keeping the vehicle? For most owners selling the vehicle with issues has financial loss.
Salim
The vehicle does not go into limp mode.
even the Hybrid battery continues charging, according to the battery level display.
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