Engine or Inverter? Car wont start!

[DW2023]

Hi All, 

I have a 2006 Hybrid 2.4. The engine light came on a couple of weeks ago. Its been driving fine. I booked it in for a service but before I managed to get it to the garage the car cut out whilst driving and now wont start. I turn the key, the electrics seem fine, but the engine simply makes a humming or whizzing - a bit like a fan type noise, and the cuts out.

The AA did a roadside diagnostics and it came back with a P3125 code - "Inverter faulty operation" Being an import I couldn't get a more precise code breakdown.

 

I have been advised that it is rare for the inverter to break on a car that has done 99K miles (like mine) and that they are normally good for 200-250k miles. But obviously other factors can affect that, so its not impossible.

 

I took it to a mechanic who says that he thinks that its definitely a mechanical issue and the engine is the problem as that is where the noise is clearly coming from. He doesn't want to touch it, as is the same with most of the mechanics that i have spoken to today over the phone as soon as i tell them that its an import. He recommends taking it somewhere that they can look underneath the car at the engine rather than focus on the inverter and diagnostics as that cant be fully checked and diagnosed until the engine is fixed?

 

Ive also been advised the opposite and to get more diagnostics and get the inverter checked out first and possibly replaced, but that might not solve the engine issue as the damage might have already been done to the engine, caused by the inverter?! Or possibly the pump, the coolant or the gear box.

 

I have found this place that can look at the inverter but they wont work on the engine? They said that they could replace the engine if necessary.

 

www.ukhybridautomotive.co.uk/services/inverter-repair/

 

Any thoughts or ideas out there? Any similar experiences?

 

Obviously im looking for the most cost effective and fast and efficient way of solving this headache that involves the least amount of travel as the Alphard will need to be put on the back of a recovery truck every time it goes somewhere. 

 

I am in NW London.

 

Thanks 

 

DW

 

[DW2023]

.....I should also have mentioned that the AA also said this - But they said that this report is most likely a result of the inverter and is a typical "P3191 - Engine wont start code"

 

But who knows?

 

We have arranged for recovery of your vehicle.Patrol found the following fault code/s:System : Engine control - 39L / M-OBDP0135 - Lambda sensor heat. circ.(bank1,sensor1). Error Message : .P3191 - Engine does not start. Error Message : Malfunction.When trying to start up car whining noise from. Engine and car cuts out

[Picasso]

Quote

M-OBDP0135 is fuel ratio sensor which is front lamba sensor i would be getting that replaced first 

 

[Picasso]

it sounds like a fuel issue the fuel ratio sensor triggers a few fault codes the hybrids are very common for the fuel ratio sensor to cause problems 

[Montecrist0]

Lambda sensor can be extremely delicately cleaned with a very soft paint brush. Also check wiring and plug/socket.

Good Luck!

[Jeza]

Did any other warning lights come on before the engine cut out?

Does the engine actually turn when trying to start it?

The inverter, power steering and oil pump (AC powered ) are quite noisy in operation, is this the sound you are hearing?

I would get the sensor replaced first and get the codes cleared, if it is still the same then get the inverter checked out. Find someone with Techstream or download it to get the full codes.

[DW2023]

On 5/3/2023 at 4:43 PM, Picasso said:

 

Thanks - Will get this checked out first and keep you posted. Will aim to eliminate the error codes one by one and will then hopefully see whats left. Predicting Engine or inverter. Appreciate your response.

[DW2023]

On 5/4/2023 at 11:29 AM, Montecrist0 said:

Lambda sensor can be extremely delicately cleaned with a very soft paint brush. Also check wiring and plug/socket.

Good Luck!

Thanks - Will get cracking with this brush technique and check the wiring and plugs in the next couple of days. Will aim to eliminate the error codes one by one and will then hopefully see whats left. Predicting Engine or inverter. Appreciate your response.

[DW2023]

On 5/4/2023 at 4:44 PM, Jeza said:

Did any other warning lights come on before the engine cut out?

Does the engine actually turn when trying to start it?

The inverter, power steering and oil pump (AC powered ) are quite noisy in operation, is this the sound you are hearing?

I would get the sensor replaced first and get the codes cleared, if it is still the same then get the inverter checked out. Find someone with Techstream or download it to get the full codes.

Thanks for this - Feel that this is the best way to go too. Ill try and clear the codes first. The engine fires up with a loud humming or whizzing - a bit like a fan type noise, and the cuts out before it turns over. It sounds like there is a noise coming from around the engine. The P3125 code - "Inverter faulty operation"  is the one which concerns me.

Im looking online to buy techstream software and cable for a windows laptop ASAP.  There are lots of options on ebay. Is there a specific version of software that will work best with this model of car? Japanese imported 2006 Hybrid 2.4?

Thanks again.

[PaulE]

Hi I use the Washinglee cable from Amazon £59.99 and Techstream 14.30.023 which was supplied by them. Mine's a 2005 HYBRID e4. Be sure to choose "Japan" when setting it up. If it is the Inverter then Mark at Hybrid Repair Services  is a very good source of help. email@hybridrepairservice.co.uk. He says he can repair them at a very reasonable cost.

[ALFY]

DW2023 

Did you sort out issue ,car started ?  kindly share the conclusion 

I have exactly the same issue and car sat for months now waiting.

 

Alphy 

[Michael Brown]

After been ferried home with Alfie on a car transporter via the RAC after breaking down with I can't start it symptom, I took The advice of Peter Holland of Brightspark Automotive in Southbourne West Sussex/Hampshire border to replace the Hybrid Inverter. Peter said he could not source spare parts for my old one, but he could order a new one from Japan, cost being an eye watering £5,200. including VAT and delivery. I'd paid £9,500. for Alfie last August and I did not want to scrap the vehicle for lack of that one part. So through Peter a new one was ordered. It took longer than the 10 days to arrive, more like two and a half weeks. It cost around £352. to replace the Inverter and sort the codes out. Touch wood I will have 10 years worth of use  to come. Been starting up fine and driving Alfie for the last 3 weeks.

[Montecrist0]

WOW!!!! you could buy another van for that kind of dosh. Hope all goes well. 🚐

[DW2023]

 

 

David Wilson <davidgjwilson@gmail.com>	14:21 (4 minutes ago)
to hello Hi Update - Ive got some error codes and sub-error codes.   Its been a while and ive had plenty of people look at this car and it seems to be an Inverter issue

It's a Japanese import

ATH10 - 0018786

Hybrid 2.4 

2006 

7 seater

2AZ-FXE engine

 

Re - cap.

 

It wont start, it just makes a humming/whizzing noise from under the bonnet when I turn the key and then cuts out. It doesn't sound healthy.

 

The error codes on techstream are

 

P3125 Inverter Malfunction

Sub Codes - 495,496,497 and the trickiest one seems to be 484

 

The inverter seems to be the main issue and have been told that the DC/DC converter is likely to be the issue and it will have to be taken apart to find out. Trial and error. Makes sense to me.

 

But could also be the "wiring harness sensors" or the "motor generator"

 

Also

 

P0135 Oxygen Sensor Heater circuit (bank 1 Sensor 1)

 

But that can be fixed.

 

Inverters for this model are expensive and rare and i'll need to find a working one to test and see if thats the problem before buying a replacement. Have also been told that its possible to fix it without having to replace the whole thing but these sub error codes 495,496,497 and 484 are quite confusing.

 

Any ideas of who can help me? Any thoughts on these Sub error codes?

 

I live in London but I'm happy to take it on the back of a pick up truck to anywhere in the UK if anyone knows of a specialist who is confident that they can fix it.

 

I have called and spoken to lots and lots of mechanics already.

 

Thanks

 

David

[Michael Brown]

A month or so on and Alfie drives well, Been to Scotland and back last week too. Yes it cost a lot to fix but well worth it. I hope to keep Alfie for many years. So I will look after it.

[LondonAlphardEnthusiast]

Hi,

 

I have an almost identical problem to @DW2023 - did you manage to find a garage in London to sort this for you? We are really struggling!

 

Desperate not to write this car off as we only bought it in the spring, have owned Alphards before and otherwise love them, but this seems to be a big issue.

 

Really interested to have any updates or hear of others' experiences.

 

Thanks