stevil

Our RX is completely dead - will not start and zero power to anything (vanity lights, door locks, etc). The regular battery checks out OK with a volt meter. We tried jumping it as well.

2 weeks ago the Check Hybrid and Check VSC warnings started coming on randomly. My wife took it to the dealer, but they couldn't recreate the problem, although they did say it could be the converter.

From the diagnosis: "PERFORM DIAGNOSTIC REPORT HEALTH CHECK P0A18 INVERTER ASSY WITH MALFUNCTION///NO PROBLEM PRESENT CLEAR DTC AND ROAD TEST"

They said to monitor it.

The past few weeks it has randomly not immediately started and either the Check VSC and/or Check Hybrid warnings would come on. It would always start on the second try. The hybrid system appeared to be working (charging the hybrid battery, using it to power wheels, etc). We had no performance problems.

Now it is totally and completely dead.

Any ideas on what to check? Appreciate any and all help!

mnewxcv

Nothing has power and 12v has more than 12v? Sounds like a fuse /fusible link is blown.

ukrkoz

If it was inverter related, your hybrid battery is dead. Unless indeed some main fuse is blown, then question is - WHY? So either way, you have electric issue. Those lights are Toyota intelligent way of pointing out pretty much any problem possible, from brakes to hybrid system. It's trip to dealer.

stevil

Update: It works!




The fuse tip was very helpful. As I was checking them, I realized no power was even coming into the fusebox. I traced the problem back to the positive battery terminal wire. It was worn thin and separating. I stripped it down and re-connected it to the terminal pigtail and so far no problem. Starts immediately on the first try.




Very disappointed that the dealer did not identify this as a possible problem. They immediately went to the converter replacement, and wouldn't even guarantee that would fix it!




Thanks for the help.

mnewxcv

glad to hear you found the problem!