2009 Camry Hybrid - "Check Hybrid System" warning only at low speed
What is your question?
My 2009 Camry Hybrid keeps gicing me a warning message "Check Hybrid System" when I drive at a low speed, I am able to keep driving but after turning the car off, it would not start again, so with a OBD scanner a clear the warning (or by resetting the 12v battery).
I took it to the dealer, but it was a waste of money as the asked for an additional 3 hour labor to do further diagnosis since they are not able to figure out the source of the issue in 1 hour ... (of course BS).
my OBD scanner shows a code of C1259, but the dealer also listed in his report P0AA6. and said it could be related to the inverter/converter. when i start my car anddrive on the highway, that warning message never comes, until I go to the city and drive at a low speed.
anyone can help?
What makes this problem better or worse?
Low Speed
How long has your 2009 Toyota Camry had this problem?
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Hello,
This may be related to the inverter, but there is also a chance that you have an issue with corrosion or water intrusion. The fact that the issue happens at low speed also means it happens at low electrical current, so the higher current is overcoming the issue. (Just a theory)
There are codes your scanner will not access, especially those proprietary to one manufacturer (manufacturer specific codes). Remember they are using very reliable and versatile factory scanning and diagnostic equipment.
Also, I know that Toyota does not allow anyone to service the hybrid system unless they have gone through the hybrid drive factory education program - and demonstrated proficiency. They typically select master techs or more senior technicians to attend the school.
I understand your frustration, and it may feel like you are being taken for a ride, but just bear in mind that this is an intermittent issue, so it is harder to find.
The only thing I can recommend is to contact the next closest Toyota dealer for a second opinion, as the dealer is the best option to repair this fault.
the dealer provided me with the code P0AA6 (High Voltage Isolation Fault), but the guy asked for more 3 hours of labor (an additional $600) to find the exact source of the issue (just to diagnose).
what I don’t understand is how this code is related to the invertor/convertor, also he didn’t mention the leak potential issue.
the good thing is that he mentioned that the battery is not faulty.
my main lead here is that the warning message comes only at low speed, is there any link between the inverter/converter and this symptom?
The entire hybrid system is under high voltage, including the inverter.
So if he found something that points to the inverter, he still has to prove the diagnosis before recommending repair. This can take time, especially when the issue only happens sometimes because the it is not always showing signs of failure. Diagnosing something that doesn't appear broken is certainly time consuming.
The only alternative the technician has here is to replace the inverter based on a hunch. If they did, and it didn't work, I think you would be very unhappy with the results.
Frustrating, yes, but it sounds like they are doing things by the book.
You could call around and see if there is a hybrid specialist in town with lower diagnostic rates?
Now I am 99.99% sure that your initial diagnosis of water intrusion is correct. actually the message never comes during dry days, i have it only during rainy days.
I checked around the hybrid battery, and it looks dry, I suspect there is a leak in the location where the water is funneled from the windshield (unger the engine).
the dealer provided me with the code P0AA6 (High Voltage Isolation Fault), but the guy asked for more 3 hours of labor (an additional $600) to find the exact source of the issue (just to diagnose). what I don’t understand is how this code is related to the invertor/convertor, also he didn’t mention the leak potential issue. the good thing is that he mentioned that the battery is not faulty. my main lead here is that the warning message comes only at low speed, is there any link between the inverter/converter and this symptom?
The entire hybrid system is under high voltage, including the inverter. So if he found something that points to the inverter, he still has to prove the diagnosis before recommending repair. This can take time, especially when the issue only happens sometimes because the it is not always showing signs of failure. Diagnosing something that doesn't appear broken is certainly time consuming. The only alternative the technician has here is to replace the inverter based on a hunch. If they did, and it didn't work, I think you would be very unhappy with the results. Frustrating, yes, but it sounds like they are doing things by the book. You could call around and see if there is a hybrid specialist in town with lower diagnostic rates?
Now I am 99.99% sure that your initial diagnosis of water intrusion is correct. actually the message never comes during dry days, i have it only during rainy days. I checked around the hybrid battery, and it looks dry, I suspect there is a leak in the location where the water is funneled from the windshield (unger the engine).