The first question to ask is do I need a hybrid battery?

A.

When I go inside the vehicle and turn the key or press the start button I DON'T have any lights on the dash. 

 

Solution: Jump start the small 12 Volt Lead Acid battery like a regular gas vehicle remember positive to positive, negative to negative. If the symptom continues replace the 12v battery.

 

B.

I have warning lights on my dash like the ones listed below.

 

IMA light, Check hybrid system, Check high voltage system, Propulsion Power Reduced, Stop safely now, Red triangle, Yellow wrench, Service engine soon, Red car with an explanation mark 

 

 

The start of the Solution:

Always verify first by retrieving the codes at Autozone or O'reilly Auto Parts. If you already have the codes then verify them below.

 

If you don't have any codes but you DO have warning lights on the dash you're going to need a high-end scan tool like Launch, Autel, Snap-On, Matco

 

Do I have any of these trouble code definitions listed below with the word PENDING OR CURRENT next to the trouble code?

 

Replace Hybrid Battery

Hybrid Battery Pack Deterioration

Battery Module Overheating

Battery block 1 through 20

Module Voltage Variation

Battery Energy Control Module

Hybrid Battery State of charge low

Hybrid Battery Disabled 

Hybrid Battery Pack Voltage Variation exceeded limit

Stack A through S not balanced

Hybrid Battery Voltage Sensor A

Voltage sensor performance 

EV system Voltage Low

Maximum battery charge level reduced

 

These codes indicate a defective high voltage battery.

 

If you have Hybrid Powertrain control module requested illumination

 

This indicates the Hybrid Computer under the dash in the front, turned on the light on the instrument cluster.

 It doesn't mean replace the computer or the hybrid battery.

 

For Ford Escape, Mercury Mariner & Mazda Tribute if you don't have any codes and the vehicle doesn't start verify the voltage is above 300 Volts on live data.

 

If you have Hybrid Battery codes listed above and also have codes with these definitions:

Engine Failed to start/ Engine no start

Engine Poor Performance

Bank 1 or 2 Lean

Misfires 1 through 8 or Random 

 

These codes must be address first before replacing the hybrid battery.

Otherwise you're going to deteriorate the replacement hybrid battery.

 

If you have this symptom described as below:

 

The vehicle idles and shuts off COMPLETELY

or

The vehicle drives then shuts off COMPLETELY 

 

Follow these steps:

Disconnect the 12v battery 

Add 10 dollars of gas 

Connect the 12 battery

Verify symptom is solved

Figure out why the fuel gauge reads incorrectly.

 

If symptom is not solved, take it to the Auto Repair shop to check fuel pressure, compression, vacuum leaks and to clean the throttle body.

 

When you're checking for these types of problems the goal is to verify them without cranking the engine therefore operate the fuel pump using fuel command on a scanner or give it power through the relay junction pins.

 

Be specific with the person fixing your car and tell them it's shutting off completely on the road that way all systems are checked.

 

 

If you have any codes with these words in the definitions: 

 

Generator Inverter Performance

 Drive Motor A Performance

 Inverter Performance

 PHASE U,V,W

 

These codes must be addressed first before replacing the high voltage battery.

 

 

 If you have any code with the word ISOLATION you're going to have a hard time. An Insulation tester is required to diagnose each high voltage component on the vehicle. The output voltage cannot exceed 500V from the tester or the electronics can be damaged, the amperage of the tester is low so it's safe. The tester must read 0 ohms in order to determine if there's a leakage. Replacing the battery will be a gamble without verifying that it lost insulation.

 

For Chevy Volt Only, Verify that you're not leaking any COOLANT from the 3 reservoirs, this will trigger isolation fault codes and turn on the check high voltage system on the dash. 

 

The BECM will also trigger isolation codes as well if it's not updated but the insulation test must be done first.

 

For chevy volt vehicles ONLY,  Propulsion Power Reduced on the display is also a common indicator that the EV battery is deteriorated. Just verify you're not out of gas first. 

 

 

If your PLUG-IN VEHICLE has decreased it's electric range and you don't have lights on the dash, you still need a battery. The cells have LOST ENERGY but are still balanced enough that the warning light's haven't illuminated 

 

If the mpg is driving you nuts and you DON'T have warning light's on the dash, first make sure the catalytic converter isn't clogged then check tire pressure then replace the hybrid battery.

 

For Honda Civic and Acura ILX 2012-2015

 

P0A78 Drive Motor A performance

P15A5 Motor Current Sensor Malfunction

P1437 Motor Power Inverter Module Circuit

 

These codes indicate a defective inverter unit.

 

P1440 IMA System problem

P0AE1 Hybrid Battery Pre-charge contactor circuit 

 

These codes DON'T indicate replace the hybrid battery or inverter unit.

They appear when there is a problem.

EXTRAS FROM OUR OWN EXPERIENCE:

• A deteriorated hybrid battery will not damage any parts under the hood, but you are puting more rpms on the engine.

• Yukon & Tahoe will jerk and/or shut off on a stop or on reverse if the battery is deteriorated but there is still a possibility that the transmission is going out or has failed. The only way to verify is to install the battery first and eliminate the codes
• For General Motor vehicles that don't CRANK the vehicle sometimes require the option on the scan tool that states "Clear 300V Codes" & "Impact Detection reset" Both of these must be clicked to crank the vehicle.
• Camry 2007-2011 will shut off if the hybrid battery goes out within a week                                                                                         
• Highlanders and RX400H will get the throttle plate locked if you don't disconnect the 12v and the throttle plate connector 
• Damaged Inverters will not damage the hybrid battery
• All hybrid vehicles except Ford Escapes will have enough voltage to crank even if the vehicle has been parked for 8 Months, unless the Hybrid Battery was repaired already.
• Disconnecting the Orange Switch or the 12v battery does not fix anything even if the light does not come on after 1 week. The cells inside the pack are still overheating and the imbalance is increasing.
• Just because Lithium ion sounds cool or All Electric Vehicles utilize this chemical it does not mean they last longer than Nickel Metal Hydride or provide more MPG. Nickel Metal Hydride has surpassed Lithium ion by 4 to 7 years for most Hybrid vehicles.
• Grid chargers don't stop charging, a cell can and will decrease it's life expectancy even if it's over-charged at 100 mah, secondly not all cells are created equal and the charge input is in series, so you are most definitly over-charging cells.
• For Plug In Vehicles, any electronic lubricant added to the charger tip or inside the charge port of the vehicle will lead to a loss of insulation and a short that will damage the High Voltage Junction Box
• For Prius 2004-2015 there is a metal rattle noise at times during acceleration, this noise gets louder when the hybrid battery gets weaker although the battery itself isn't the cause of the noise.
• For Prius Plug-In if the vehicle does not crank, the option "Drive Enable" on the scan tool must be clicked
• For Honda Civic 2003-2005 make sure the throttle cable is adjusted properly otherwise the vehicle will draw more current than normal parameters and deteriorate the Hybrid Battery