Warning Light

[Matt]

A couple of days ago my Alphard Hybrid would not start as I’d left the internal light on. Charged it up and it started but drove rather strangely, lacking power. Anyway, drove it on a very short run today and it seemed fine but a red car warning light with a red exclamation mark (all very scary) has come on. Anyone know what this is/what to do? All help appreciated

[MonsterS]

It is the "Hybrid System Warning light"

 

Could be because you let the batteries go flat. I would suggest getting a code reader or having toyota look at it as it may be one battery has died or at the very least it needs the error codes clearning.

[Matt]

Thanks for the response. Getting hold of a code reader to see if (hopefully) it clears.

[PhilMo]

I have just got a similar light come on

Any ideas on a code reader I need to buy?

[PhilMo]

I have just got a similar light come on

Any ideas on a code reader I need to buy? 2 other amber lights VSC LIGHT on ...never had a problem starting

I noticed that the arrows in and out to show charging don't appear but battery has 3 bars

Edited September 5, 2020 by PhilMo

[MikeB]

Hi, anyone got this sorted? Or at least know what is happening. Mine just came up during driving with VSC Amber light and red light with exclamation mark. The car felt a bit heavier and certainly the steering feels firmer. I hope its nothing to serious ad I've only had it for 3 months and so far the car was faultless. 

[MikeB]

On 9/5/2020 at 5:47 PM, PhilMo said:

I have just got a similar light come on

Any ideas on a code reader I need to buy? 2 other amber lights VSC LIGHT on ...never had a problem starting

I noticed that the arrows in and out to show charging don't appear but battery has 3 bars

After few weeks of reaserch I think I've figured it out ( at least in my case) 

 The red light and the issues with the hybrid system, somehow relates to low pressure in one of the tires... It look like the low pressure tire causes the VSC system to come up which somehow shuts the hybrid system automatically... 

Worth checking and making sure you have right pressure in your tires and turning the car off and on, in my case this has been resolved and eveytime I have a flat tire it happens again, but at least I know the case of it and the fix is very easy. 

 

Mike 

[Ghyas]

Hi, same issue I am experienceng  I renewed car battery after that my car start same problem engine cutting off and same hybrid light is appears on the dashboard,if anyone now anything please advise,thanks 👍

[Ise]

I have he same problem. After the first time it went out while driving.  Then I re started and it worked.  Then it stopped completely re next time I tried driving. Sitting with the aa trying diagnostics...

 

[Tendo K]

I’m having the same issue with my hybrid . 

[Gabs]

Wow only noticed so many people with same problem! Has anyone found out the issue? Going to top up my tyres now just in case! 

[Gabs]

On 12/9/2019 at 2:14 PM, MonsterS said:

It is the "Hybrid System Warning light"

 

Could be because you let the batteries go flat. I would suggest getting a code reader or having toyota look at it as it may be one battery has died or at the very least it needs the error codes clearning.

 

Just called Toyota to try and book diagnostics but they said they don't deal with imports!? What?! I mean, its a Toyota ffs... 

[MonsterS]

You need to get a garage that does imports as the systems are different to the euro models.

[Gabs]

20 minutes ago, MonsterS said:

You need to get a garage that does imports as the systems are different to the euro models.

Thanks for you reply, I've tried with a Toyota "specialist" near me which couldn't find the problem, also tried with a hybrid specialist which wasn't too sure about what's wrong either .

Would you recommend anyone near or around London? many thanks 

[Chris.ac]

On 9/26/2020 at 9:45 PM, MikeB said:

After few weeks of reaserch I think I've figured it out ( at least in my case) 

 The red light and the issues with the hybrid system, somehow relates to low pressure in one of the tires... It look like the low pressure tire causes the VSC system to come up which somehow shuts the hybrid system automatically... 

Worth checking and making sure you have right pressure in your tires and turning the car off and on, in my case this has been resolved and eveytime I have a flat tire it happens again, but at least I know the case of it and the fix is very easy. 

 

Mike 

This makes logical sense - the VSC computer actively monitors the rotational speed of each wheel and measures this against the steering angle/camber and the reported speed from the engine - if there is a large enough difference/delta measured at the wheels, it will cause the car to detect this as a fault with the system.

 

I wish they had fitted a proper TPMS as standard - I think it is probably a wise investment if it prevents these types of problem happening.

 

Now I know you can buy tyre valve TMPS systems relatively cheaply, but not sure if they are any good vs the more expensive ones that are fitted inside the tyre.

[Bill M]

Hi folks , guess what my 2004 hybrid is doing the same thing, red car up, VSC lamp up and the regenerative brake lamp up. car drives fine on the engine but as someone has already said the car feels heavy. There seems to be some effect on the steering which I perceive to be related to the ABS/VSC (traction control). I should point out that I no longer have any effective regeneration braking and occasionally when turning round/off a left hand corner there is an audible alarm (but no lights) which can continue for as much as 100metres.

Having read about the tyre pressures, I ensured that all tyres were exactly equal pressures. Took it out for a test drive and there was no difference no clearing of alarms/lights. Something that also happened at this time was that the wheels on the power graphic have stopped turning. curiouser and curiouser?

 

Any help/suggestions welcome.

[Gabs]

Hello Bill.. It seems like a common issue, so many of us with this! 

Have you managed to find any fault codes? Hopefully someone will find the solution and post here.. 

Been told its something to do with the inverter or hybrid battery.. 

Is your AC100V button working? What about cruise control does it hold a required speed setting? Windows working? 

 

BTW does anyone have a clue how to test the hybrid inverter? I think I've seen it last time I opened the panel between the front seats! 

Good luck everyone

[Bill M]

Hi Gabs, 

That's the thing, no fault codes at least with the scanner my mate has. He was able to read codes and reset a couple on his hybrid. I'm thinking could it be an ABS sensor, the ABS/VSC module. Worst case it is likely to be the inverter.

So far my investigations have included removing the hybrid battery fan and cleaning and testing it, removing the inverter cooling pump, cleaning and testing it and while the pump was out, I took the opportunity to backwash the system. Nice and clean but did take some pressure to blow through, which makes me wonder if the pump is up to it.

Haven't checked the 100V system or the cruise control but all the windows are operational, in fact everything electrical bar the drive works well.

Thanks, watch this space for updates as we go.

[Gabs]

I've had some issues couple of months ago where I was driving on the motorway doing a turn and the vsc was beeping once in a while.. 

 

Interesting you say that as another member of the forum (with similar problems) have mentioned he has spoken to someone in Japan who said the inverter cooling pump is common issue and he managed to order it from Japan.. I'll post here once I've got some news from him.. 

 

It would be a bummer if its the inverter as a brand new one is over 4k, found a garage that puts a second hand for 1350 but that's still painful given we are not entirely sure that's the issue.. 

 

I'm waiting for a code reader I bought to arrive, its meant to be for Japanese cars so fingers crossed it can actually find the right codes! Let's keep in touch guys.. 

Many thanks 

[Gabs]

16 hours ago, Bill M said:

Hi Gabs, 

That's the thing, no fault codes at least with the scanner my mate has. He was able to read codes and reset a couple on his hybrid. I'm thinking could it be an ABS sensor, the ABS/VSC module. Worst case it is likely to be the inverter.

So far my investigations have included removing the hybrid battery fan and cleaning and testing it, removing the inverter cooling pump, cleaning and testing it and while the pump was out, I took the opportunity to backwash the system. Nice and clean but did take some pressure to blow through, which makes me wonder if the pump is up to it.

Haven't checked the 100V system or the cruise control but all the windows are operational, in fact everything electrical bar the drive works well.

Thanks, watch this space for updates as we go.

Hi Bill, have you noticed if the small fan in front of the inverter is constantly on? 

Mine doesn't seem to spin, I'm not driving long distances tho..

 

Also don't know if it's worth mentioning I've always had a clicking noise coming from what I believe to be Aircon relay (attachment) and it has stopped just recently.. probably not connected?

 

Engine cut off again today, been wondering if I should be driving it? Hopefully is not causing any further damage right ?

Cheers

Good luck everyone!

[Bill M]

Hi Gabs, 

I'm not sure I have one of these, maybe just haven't found it yet, although I would have noticed if it had been running. One thing I will say is that I may have the wrong inverter cooling pump fitted. it looks like it's a recent replacement (before I got the vehicle), and I think it might be the one for the Prius. Someone trying a cheapskate repair I presume, unless anyone can tell me that it will do the job. I'm sure that that will not be strong enough for the job. It's all coming off tomorrow to check part nos. etc. 

[Gabs]

9 hours ago, Bill M said:

Hi Gabs, 

I'm not sure I have one of these, maybe just haven't found it yet, although I would have noticed if it had been running. One thing I will say is that I may have the wrong inverter cooling pump fitted. it looks like it's a recent replacement (before I got the vehicle), and I think it might be the one for the Prius. Someone trying a cheapskate repair I presume, unless anyone can tell me that it will do the job. I'm sure that that will not be strong enough for the job. It's all coming off tomorrow to check part nos. etc. 

Good morning Bill.. great find mate! 

The hybrid inverter and pump are sitting between the two front seats correct?

Would really appreciate some pictures (if it's not too much to ask) so I can try finding it here too.. fingers crossed that's what causing the issues..

 

By the way my code reader arrived and is of no use unfortunately, doesn't read a thing! 

 

Some ideas, https://www.fixmycar.pk/toyota-alphard-hybrid-e-four-2/

[Rojie]

 

 

[Rojie]

This is Ldrego (Alphard Forum) showing his Cuttothechase (youtube) video using his Proscan Automotive OBD on his Alphard.

 

I hope it is of use to members struggling to access the codes on your Hybrids, or other models for that matter.

[Gabs]

4 hours ago, Rojie said:

This is Ldrego (Alphard Forum) showing his Cuttothechase (youtube) video using his Proscan Automotive OBD on his Alphard.

 

I hope it is of use to members struggling to access the codes on your Hybrids, or other models for that matter.

That's great Rojie many thanks, just ordered one on eBay, only a tenner so defo worth a try! Cheers