Hybrid Battery
Racer
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,817
Likes: 229
From: wa
Amazingly, there is no straight answer for the question. Tons of articles on what happens when you run out of gas. Several saying "What happens when hybrid battery dies?" and yet, they only talk about running out of gas.
As far as I know, drivetrain will have no motive force with MG inoperable. No power to MG no go force.
yes, you can put system into Maintenance mode but that's in P or N only, as far as I know.
Rookie
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 88
Likes: 2
From: Tx
In theory, MG1 should be able to provide enough electricity to power MG2 as long as the engine is running. I'm sure top speed and power output would also be reduced. This also assumes that there are no other major system failures, like a shorted cell in the HV battery, a bad inverter, or a short in the HV system. When Prius batteries die I've heard of people still driving them, as the car just tries to not ever charge or use the HV battery at all.
Lead Lap
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 463
Likes: 27
From: FL
In theory, MG1 should be able to provide enough electricity to power MG2 as long as the engine is running. I'm sure top speed and power output would also be reduced. This also assumes that there are no other major system failures, like a shorted cell in the HV battery, a bad inverter, or a short in the HV system. When Prius batteries die I've heard of people still driving them, as the car just tries to not ever charge or use the HV battery at all.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,817
Likes: 229
From: wa
In theory, generator provides power to battery, inverter provides power to MG-s.. It is not direct MG to MG power supply. Take hybrid battery out of equation and you broke the current chain. See chart attached. No hybrid battery - no go juice for MGs. Again, hybrid battery is the best safeguarded component in the system. ECU will throw a fit and disable it way before hybrid battery dies completely. Regarding situation in post #2, and after what now - 7 or 8 years in hybrid Toyotas forums, I safely bet that though all the warnings came up on the dash, hybrid battery had enough power left in it to take vehicle to dealer. Also, that VSC, Check Hybrid System and ABS lights came up does not mean hybrid battery is depleted or even at fault. Those are generic warning lights that come up at any major issue with hybrids.
Rookie
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 88
Likes: 2
From: Tx
In theory, generator provides power to battery, inverter provides power to MG-s.. It is not direct MG to MG power supply. Take hybrid battery out of equation and you broke the current chain. See chart attached. No hybrid battery - no go juice for MGs. Again, hybrid battery is the best safeguarded component in the system. ECU will throw a fit and disable it way before hybrid battery dies completely. Regarding situation in post #2, and after what now - 7 or 8 years in hybrid Toyotas forums, I safely bet that though all the warnings came up on the dash, hybrid battery had enough power left in it to take vehicle to dealer. Also, that VSC, Check Hybrid System and ABS lights came up does not mean hybrid battery is depleted or even at fault. Those are generic warning lights that come up at any major issue with hybrids.
Trending Topics
Racer
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,817
Likes: 229
From: wa
It does not matter what we agree or disagree upon. Look at the chart provided before. You can't drive without battery. Go disconnect yours with engine running and try driving. there is a disable switch in the trunk, not that hard to do. report back.
ClubLexus Stories
Celebrating Lexus & Toyota from Around the Globe
Lexus NX 350h: A Fuel-Sipping Secret Hot Hatch???
Michael S. Palmer
5 Best & 5 Worst Lexus Daily Drivers
Joe Kucinski
Top 5 Hottest Lexus & Toyotas in 2026 (Hardest To Buy)
Brett Foote
2026 Lexus IS 350 F Sport Review: The Last of Its Kind Still Rocks
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Confusing Things Lexus Has Ever Done!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Lexus ES Review: Lexus Re-Embraces Founding Principles
Michael S. Palmer
10 Lexus Bargains That are Cheaper Than a New Toyota RAV4
Joe Kucinski
8 Weirdest Things Lexus Has Ever Built
Verdad Gallardo
10 Lexus Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Rookie
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 88
Likes: 2
From: Tx
I pulled the plug with the car in Ready. Ready light turned off. If you are feeling rather festive, I highly recommend you do this as it turns almost every light in the dash on very similar to a Christmas tree.
After resetting all codes, I had the car in gear with the ebrake on in Ready mode. When I pulled the plug I could feel the car relax, like it stopped trying to move forward against the e-brake. But, it only sets the same P0A0D code, which is high voltage battery interlock. So I guess we will never know, until someone kills a cell and reports back here. My vote is the car will still move.
After resetting all codes, I had the car in gear with the ebrake on in Ready mode. When I pulled the plug I could feel the car relax, like it stopped trying to move forward against the e-brake. But, it only sets the same P0A0D code, which is high voltage battery interlock. So I guess we will never know, until someone kills a cell and reports back here. My vote is the car will still move.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post