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The engine shut down on me on the road Engine/Battery?

Tiny
ADUFOUR1214
  • MEMBER
  • 2014 TOYOTA PRIUS
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 285,000 MILES
I brought my car to a Toyota dealership telling them that the engine shut down on me on the road. They told me they would diagnose the issue then let me know if I wanted to go forward with the repairs. After "diagnosing the issue, " they told me that the auxiliary battery needed to be replaced as well as a long charge on the hybrid battery. After about $1,200.00 in fees, they told me the engine would not start and needed to be replaced, causing me to sell the car for parts. When I went to confront the assistant manager, he told me that they needed to check the battery before they could get to/check the engine. They never once told me there was an issue with the engine during the entire process. Sounds like a scam. What do you think?
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Monday, March 6th, 2023 AT 7:17 AM

9 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,747 POSTS
Hi,

Engines usually don't just fail. They can, but usually, there are some indicators that there is an issue. When you were driving it, did the oil lamp turn on or did you hear any odd sounds from the engine area such as a knock or a ticking?

When the engine stalled, what happened when you tried to restart it?

Let me know as much as you can.

Take care,

Joe
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Monday, March 6th, 2023 AT 7:26 PM
Tiny
ADUFOUR1214
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Hybrid system fail. The engine shut off because coolant had been leaking onto it. It’s simple for me, the engine and the battery are two different things. They were supposed to diagnose the issue and they either misdiagnosed it or knew the engine was dead and did work on battery to turn a profit.
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Tuesday, March 7th, 2023 AT 1:46 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,747 POSTS
Hi,

Something isn't making sense. They could have tried using a jumper pack to see if the engine would run. Have you tried replacing the battery? Also, what was the coolant leaking on to?

Joe
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Tuesday, March 7th, 2023 AT 5:30 PM
Tiny
ADUFOUR1214
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
So, they could have used the jumper pack on the engine to diagnose the engine issue? Instead what they did was change the 12v auxiliary battery, do a long charge on the hybrid battery, then told me the engine was dead.
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Wednesday, March 8th, 2023 AT 1:36 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,747 POSTS
Hi,

What did they tell you was the issue with the engine other than it was bad? And yes, the battery for the engine is different than the hybrid battery.

Let me know.

Joe
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Wednesday, March 8th, 2023 AT 6:49 PM
Tiny
ADUFOUR1214
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Engine won’t turn over. Battery for the engine? Last time I checked the 12v auxiliary battery, hybrid battery and engine are three different parts. Do you have any helpful information as to whether they misdiagnosed the issue?
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Thursday, March 9th, 2023 AT 2:03 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,747 POSTS
Hi,

I just reviewed what we have discussed so far. I have a few questions. First, you mentioned that coolant was going into the engine. Is that correct? Did it have a faulty head gasket?

Next, I need the specific model you have. See pic below.

Last, you are correct, the engine, aux battery, and hybrid battery are three different things. Also, if there was coolant leaking into the engine, it may have caused internal damage, but there is an aux battery (traditional 12v) that starts the engine. They could have tried charging or something different if the battery was still good.

Let me know.

Joe

See pics below.
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Thursday, March 9th, 2023 AT 7:38 PM
Tiny
ADUFOUR1214
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Jacob,

Would there have been a way (like you mentioned using a jumper pack to see if the engine ran) to diagnose the engine issue without changing the 12v auxiliary battery or charging the hybrid battery?
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Sunday, March 12th, 2023 AT 5:27 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,747 POSTS
I don't see why they wouldn't have been able to attach a jumper pack to the aux battery. That would provide the voltage needed.

Joe
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Sunday, March 12th, 2023 AT 2:07 PM

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