Rx450h - Check hybrid system orange triangle

[jb111s]

Wondering if anyone can help. My 2010 RX450h has just come up with a yellow triangle & "check hybrid system".

Thought it could be the 12v Battery, so trickle charged this overnight & looks fine. The 12v Battery looks fine & no tell tale signs of it being low on juice.

Plugged an OBD reader in & the car wasn't reporting any error DTC codes. Reset the DTC codes on the device anyway which then removed the orange triangle & everything hybrid wise appeared to work fine and took the car for a blast without any issue. All the arrows were flowing & showed the hybrid Battery as taking energy & went up to full charge after a 10 minute blast down the A3.

Then as I pulled back home, the light came on again, again no error codes logged in DTC.

Hoping it's just being temperamental in the freezing cold weather (-1)!

I will take it to the Lexus garage once the weather improves but wondering if anyone else has been experiencing similar issues in the freezing cold temps?

Many thanks.

[Herbie]

OBD2 is an industry standard so whether you've got a Ford, a Vauxhall, a BMW etc., etc., there are certain codes that will be applicable to all. However, there are also a lot of manufacturer-specific codes as well, that aren't read by 'El-Cheapo' code readers, and I would imagine that the Toyota/Lexus hybrid system codes are unable to be read by your machine rather than not being there at all.

If you have a laptop you can get a miniVCI cable from eBay or amazon, which will almost always come with a (pirated) copy of Techstream, which is the same diagnostic software used my Lexus techs in dealer workshops.

Of course, I'm not condoning the use of pirated software.

The correct way would be to freely and legitimately download Techstream from https://www.lexus-tech.eu/DiagnosticTools/Setup  and then buy a block of time to use it (one day access is €5) but either way you'll need that miniVCI cable.

[jb111s]

Many thanks! That's really helpful. Ordered a cable from amazon and I'll stump up a fiver for the legitimate product for a day's use.

 

 

[Prince Bob]

2 hours ago, jb111s said:

Wondering if anyone can help. My 2010 RX450h has just come up with a yellow triangle & "check hybrid system".

Thought it could be the 12v battery, so trickle charged this overnight & looks fine. The 12v battery looks fine & no tell tale signs of it being low on juice.

Plugged an ODB reader in & the car wasn't reporting any error DTC codes. Reset the DTC codes on the device anyway which then removed the orange triangle & everything hybrid wise appeared to work fine and took the car for a blast without any issue. All the arrows were flowing & showed the hybrid battery as taking energy & went up to full charge after a 10 minute blast down the A3.

Then as I pulled back home, the light came on again, again no error codes logged in DTC.

Hoping it's just being temperamental in the freezing cold weather (-1)!

I will take it to the Lexus garage once the weather improves but wondering if anyone else has been experiencing similar issues in the freezing cold temps?

Many thanks.

I had the same issue a few months ago. A new Battery (£226 all in) at main dealer and problem solved. Unfortunately no coffee and biscuits due to Covid, but they did valet the car and were very nice (Lexus Woodford). Will book car for service later in year. Sounds pricey for a 12v Battery but by the time it needs replacing again I'll be a pensioner, or would have moved on!

I did see cheaper alternatives, from Lion (£113) and Bosch (£204) on Eurocarparts. I'm sure you could save a few quid if you find the discount codes. Couldn't find the Panasonic anywhere, and OEM is best right?

The Battery was the original so lasted well. You can order online from the dealer and save yourself a few quid on labour.

Hope this helps

[jb111s]

45 minutes ago, Prince Bob said:

I had the same issue a few months ago. A new battery (£226 all in) at main dealer and problem solved. Unfortunately no coffee and biscuits due to Covid, but they did valet the car and were very nice (Lexus Woodford). Will book car for service later in year. Sounds pricey for a 12v battery but by the time it needs replacing again I'll be a pensioner, or would have moved on!

I did see cheaper alternatives, from Lion (£113) and Bosch (£204) on Eurocarparts. I'm sure you could save a few quid if you find the discount codes. Couldn't find the Panasonic anywhere, and OEM is best right?

The battery was the original so lasted well. You can order online from the dealer and save yourself a few quid on labour.

Hope this helps

Thanks! I had lots of trouble with the Battery in autumn (hadn't used the car for a while, so wouldn't start up or go into ready). A quick jump start brought it back to life, drove around for a while & has been fine since. When the Battery was low, the wing mirrors were slow to open, lights dim etc, which definitely isn't the case a t the moment. Out of interest were you getting the PCS errors too? Mine just says "check hybrid system" and no other warnings (the engine warning light doesn't come on). Seems others who have this issue with 12v Battery get PCS warnings and sometimes engine light too.

Really hope it's something this straightforward, but the Battery has been charged overnight & reports back as fully charged, warmed to 19 degrees and pumping out 12v when connected to the charger. Hopefully it's charged, but defective and the Lexus computer is picking this up and warning.

Oh & looks like I'm on the original panasonic Battery!

 

 

[Prince Bob]

1 hour ago, jb111s said:

Thanks! I had lots of trouble with the battery in autumn (hadn't used the car for a while, so wouldn't start up or go into ready). A quick jump start brought it back to life, drove around for a while & has been fine since. When the battery was low, the wing mirrors were slow to open, lights dim etc, which definitely isn't the case a t the moment. Out of interest were you getting the PCS errors too? Mine just says "check hybrid system" and no other warnings (the engine warning light doesn't come on). Seems others who have this issue with 12v battery get PCS warnings and sometimes engine light too.

Really hope it's something this straightforward, but the battery has been charged overnight & reports back as fully charged, warmed to 19 degrees and pumping out 12v when connected to the charger. Hopefully it's charged, but defective and the Lexus computer is picking this up and warning.

Oh & looks like I'm on the original panasonic battery!

 

 

I just had yellow triangle with 'check hybrid system' error, no PCS. What I would say is I have owned other cars BMW, Mercedes and when the Battery is low I did tend to get error messages and warnings. Every time a new Battery has solved the issues.

10 years is very good going for a Battery, definitely worth paying the extra and getting the same Panasonic as a replacement 

[jb111s]

Fantastic. Just been out in it and the hybrid system appears to be working properly & car behaving normally (still has the warning triangle on). It pulls away in electric mode & the hybrid Battery shows the charge levels going up and down when driving (just disables the display showing the power flows on the dash and main screen).

Fingers crossed it's just the system reporting a dodgy 12v Battery.

[jb111s]

So my cable and Techstream arrived. Hooked it all up & getting error code "P0AA6 Hybrid Battery Voltage system isolation fault". Auxillary Battery showing as 14.24V.

However, when looking in the boot I noticed it a small puddle of water under the 12v Battery. Not sure if this is leaking acid, but also appeared to be a bit of moisture around the other leads in there which look hybrid Battery related.

Doing a bit of reading it can report a false positive with this code if water has got in or in extreme cold temps.

I ordered a new 12v Battery from Lexuspartsdirect anyway to play it safe & will open the boot up at the weekend and set to work with kitchen roll to soak up any residue.

With the extreme weather conditions over the last couple of weeks wonder if a small bit of water has got in from the torrential rain or the extreme cold has caused condensation or one of the kids has dropped a leaking bottle on the back seat (not unheard of) & it's flowed down to the lowest point (the Battery compatment).

 

 

 

[Herbie]

Most likely water in/around the high voltage Battery pack. Have a read of this topic for more info and also look for posts by Andy (Greisingel) because I'm sure he also had the same problem:
 

 

[jb111s]

Took rear seats out and luckily no dampness round hybrid. The water round the 12v battery thankfully appears to be acid (as fingers felt a bit funny afterwards). Chucked Techstream back in this morning & the 12v Battery is now reporting 8v 🙂

Check Airbag SRS light now coming up & car won't go into ready, wing mirrors sluggish to close. Fingers crossed it's the original diagnosis & faulty 12v Battery after all!

Just got to be patient and wait for the new one to arrive. Thanks for all the help guys, much appreciated.

[Greisingel]

Have a butchers under the trunk area floor. That’s where you’d find water ingress. That is, in a RX400H. Can’t talk for a RX450H (yet)  

Your POAA6 will trigger a 526 code followed by a location code.  You see these listed in the data file after trouble code listed. 

I had 612 which meant short in HV Battery case = water. Clean out the filters in the rubber drain plugs treading carefully around the HV. 

But you should be good to go after a proper dry out if 612 is your problem. 

[jb111s]

Took the old Battery out and it had been leaking badly. Definitely the cause of the wetness in the boot.

Cleaned it all up and fitted new Panasonic Battery. Cleared the dtc errors with tech stream and took it for a 30 minute spin. All much better, not one single problem or hybrid system alert and everything working as expected. To be fair the build date on the Battery was 2009 so it held up pretty well.

Thanks so much for all the help and advice, much appreciated.

Still find it bizarre there’s no low auxiliary Battery indicator or warning despite there being a Battery light on the dash and its computer able to read its voltage!

Hey ho, just over the moon it’s not a costly hybrid failure.

[Herbie]

44 minutes ago, jb111s said:

Still find it bizarre there’s no low auxiliary battery indicator or warning despite there being a battery light on the dash and its computer able to read its voltage!

True, it is a bit strange but you can easily overcome that by doing what I did. It allows me to charge my phone easily but also keeps me informed of the Battery voltage. Plenty available on eBay here. Just connect it to the power socket next to it:

[jb111s]

Well I spoke too soon. Out for about 10 minutes today and dreaded light re-appears 😞

Ran Techstream and it's P0AA6 0 Hybrid Battery Voltage System Isolation Fault.

Reading similar posts from Prius owners about this occurring in cold conditions, I'm hoping it's just the car not liking the -1 degree temperature or a bit of condensation caused by cold conditions and then subsequently driving and heating something up (it only kicks in after about 2-3 mins of driving).

Similar issue on an Rx400h. Where Ice had formed inside the hybrid battery:

Hybrid Battery Isolation Fault - YouTube

I'll wait until the weather warms up a bit and hope it goes away. Sadly losing confidence in the old girl so might hasten up the part-ex to an NX300 as soon as Lexus garage re-opens.

[Greisingel]

Run full heat, recirc and air con to dry out cabin. Get a serious blow heater to really dry out. Access HV Battery and check if drain plugs are clear.

This is RX400H talk but may apply to RX450H. 

[jb111s]

Thanks. Given I service it religiously at Lexus dealerships each year, just noticed the last essential service in november should include the hybrid Battery check which protects me for a further year or 10k.

Trouble is this year the dealership didn't provide me the hybrid health check report as they do usually (was in a rush to collect as they cocked up the service, making a while you wait appointment nearly 5 hours long as they were insufficiently staffed and their cleaning machine broke down halfway through the final clean!).

Presumably as I've paid for this service & it includes an additional year's warranty on the hybrid Battery I should just book it in with the dealership and if a fault within the unit be covered? Although no reference to the health check in my documents, there's no doubt this essential service should include a full hybrid check and warranty?

Lexus Essential Care | Lexus UK

 

 

[Greisingel]

Get on the blower. Both types. Any Lexus hot air should be directed into the HV battery 😉

I post this link sometimes. It’s French Lexus. Some of the pics of the build quality re leaks are pretty bad

http://forum.clublexis.com/viewtopic.php?id=25355&p=8

[Mihanicos]

P0AA6 -526 to 614 all refer to hybrid Battery high voltage circuit electrical insulation.

If you intend to trouble shoot this problem, wrap the tools with electrical tape. Wait 10 minutes after you disconnect the service plug. Wear electrician'd gloves.

If you have only P0AA6  access the freeze frame data to read the subsequent code to P0AA6 to locate the fault area:

526, high voltage circuit.

526 612, air conditioner

526 613, transmission area

526 614, high voltage output area.

You may have to use a 500v Megohm insulation tester to locate the fault. Before doing so, make absolutely certain that you verify beyond any doubt each and every single wire and that both its ends are completely isolated with a visible air gap. Failing to do so you may apply 500v to wires connected to electronic equipment and this will result in blowing off the relevant circuit.

Under the circumstances, I would suggest you fully dry all areas where water has collected and cure the cause of it. It should suffice to clear the fault.

Chris.

[Greisingel]

2 hours ago, Mihanicos said:

P0AA6 -526 to 614 all refer to hybrid battery high voltage circuit electrical insulation.

If you intend to trouble shoot this problem, wrap the tools with electrical tape. Wait 10 minutes after you disconnect the service plug. Wear electrician'd gloves.

If you have only P0AA6  access the freeze frame data to read the subsequent code to P0AA6 to locate the fault area:

526, high voltage circuit.

526 612, air conditioner

526 613, transmission area

526 614, high voltage output area.

You may have to use a 500v Megohm insulation tester to locate the fault. Before doing so, make absolutely certain that you verify beyond any doubt each and every single wire and that both its ends are completely isolated with a visible air gap. Failing to do so you may apply 500v to wires connected to electronic equipment and this will result in blowing off the relevant circuit.

Under the circumstances, I would suggest you fully dry all areas where water has collected and cure the cause of it. It should suffice to clear the fault.

Chris.

Ok so 450 is different to 400. Error code 612 is different for RX400H : resistance compromised in HV battery case

[jb111s]

Thanks again all. I’ve had it on all morning full heating and left it in ready to transfer energy from hybrid to 12v (just in case the new 12v wasn’t fully charged). Unfortunately, my tech stream doesn’t elaborate on the poaa6 code as it’s offline. I did actually pay for the day’s access but the licence key didn’t work so ended up using the dodgy copy that came with my reader. No sign of any water ingress around the Battery pack.

Cleared the code and after 3 minutes the code came back again, so whatever is causing the fault still occurring.

Have left a callback for local Lexus garage to get booked in next week. If it is a fault within the hybrid Battery then at least I’m hopefully covered by the warranty.
 

Presumably labour charges not too high (famous last words!) as gaining access to the Battery pack seems quite straightforward.

Unless anyone can recommend a decent hybrid specialist in the Surrey area?

 

 

[Herbie]

1 hour ago, jb111s said:

Unfortunately, my tech stream doesn’t elaborate on the poaa6 code as it’s offline. I did actually pay for the day’s access but the licence key didn’t work so ended up using the dodgy copy that came with my reader.

In that situation, being offline doesn't matter, you can still drill down to more info.

[Mihanicos]

Have a look under the car. The high voltage orange cables from the traction Battery run under the car to the converter inverter. They may have been damaged.

Chris.

[Herbie]

1 hour ago, jb111s said:

Presumably labour charges not too high

And what colour is the sky in your world?

It's Lexus, of course they're going to be too high - they're more expensive than an expensive thing at expensiveworld.com!

Seriously though, last time someone mentioned labour charges on here I think it was around £135 + VAT per hour, but I'll happily stand corrected if I've got that wrong.

[jb111s]

And I'm thinking of taking it to the Twickenham dealership. That's bound to be cheap 🙂. My local Halfords autocentre do Hybrid servicing so may swing it by them first (they did my parking brakes earlier in the year).

Sorry am I being thick with TechStream?

I go into the Hybrid option, do the "hybrid control live" & see the P0AA6 under "diagnostic code" & the only option I have is to reset the mil or freeze frame. How do I drill down further?

 

[Herbie]

58 minutes ago, jb111s said:

I go into the Hybrid option, do the "hybrid control live" & see the P0AA6 under "diagnostic code" & the only option I have is to reset the mil or freeze frame. How do I drill down further?

Now you're asking - it's a long time since I did this but, I think you just need to click on the trouble code to highlight it and then click on the 'Data List' or 'List' button on the left, which will then open a new screen with more info.

I think @Greisingel has done this recently so he'll be able to advise you better than I can.

1 hour ago, jb111s said:

My local Halfords autocentre do Hybrid servicing so may swing it by them first (they did my parking brakes earlier in the year).

I wouldn't even trust Halfords to change a light bulb, never mind letting them loose on high voltage stuff. Hats off to you Jonathan, you're a far braver man than I.