Hi folks
I have had a problem with my 2003 Toyota Alphard Hybrid, which was imported and converted into a campervan four years ago. It has been running fine for four years, but then warning lights appeared on the dashboard, identical to those experienced by many on this thread:
VSC light (orange)
Exclamation mark in circle in brackets (orange)
Exclamation mark within car symbol (red)
The car felt sluggish to drive, very slow and, very worryingly, the car suddenly without warning lost power on four occasions. I was fortunate in being able to coast into safe areas.
I had a massive problem in getting a diagnostic test done on the car, as it is relatively old, an import and a hybrid - six local garages didn't have the appropriate equipment.
I finally found one which specialised in Imports, and their diagnostics identified five error codes:
P3000 Battery Control System
P3108 Communication fault (Air conditioner > HV)
C1310 HV System fault
P3006 Batteries levels unusually different
P3022 Battery block 12 weak
They tested the 12v battery, and that was fine. They advised that the above fault codes indicate a fault with the High Voltage Hybrid battery system.
The next issue was to try to find a way of remedying the problem. My own research pointed to the fact that a high voltage battery would cost THOUSANDS of pounds. I was obviously shocked and not a little bit fed up about this, and totally unsure of the way forward. After extensive research on google, I came across a company in Glasgow which specialises in replacing the existing Alphard HV battery cells with reconditioned and rebalanced Toyota Alphard cells, at a fraction of the cost of new ones. This necessitated getting the car up to Glasgow (I had a breakdown relay agreement with breakdown business which takes car to any UK destination), and the job was completed last weekend, and the car runs like new, plus it has a 3 year or 30K warranty on the reconditioned battery. Job done, the car runs perfectly, and no warning lights. I can't praise http://hybridbatteryrepair.co.uk/ enough. Fraser is exceptionally helpful. See also their google reviews and their facebook page - they speak for themselves!!