Toyota RAV4 Forums banner
Cancel
Create thread New Garage Forums

RAV4 Prime (2021) EV/HV system malfunction

Tags
rav4 prime ev malfunction
Jump to Latest
21 - 32 of 32 Posts
#21 ·
Matt_O said:
Well I've just done the conversion and its 50F here - don't think I can blame the cold.
Will see what happens tomorrow. Drove 5 miles today and ICE on all time.
Hoping a long run tomorrow might clear it.
Really frustrating watching the fuel gauge (visibly) drop whilst driving and having a full charge!
Click to expand...
I've been consistently driving mine as an EV for months over temperatures from -4C to 10C and the ICE only comes on randomly very occassionally (once in 2 to 3 weeks). Then only doing so for 5 or 10 minutes. But, I do use the front Demister about once a week which wakes the ICE up. Then it switches back to EV after about 3 to 5 minutes once the windows are clear and I've deselected the demister.

In the 5 miles you drove did you at any stage use the front window demister? That starts the ICE and it will stay on for a few minutes or longer if the car hasn't run the ICE for a couple of weeks?

Sent from my SM-N950F using Tapatalk
 
#22 ·
nickc72 said:
I've been consistently driving mine as an EV for months over temperatures from -4C to 10C and the ICE only comes on randomly very occassionally (once in 2 to 3 weeks). Then only doing so for 5 or 10 minutes. But, I do use the front Demister about once a week which wakes the ICE up. Then it switches back to EV after about 3 to 5 minutes once the windows are clear and I've deselected the demister.

In the 5 miles you drove did you at any stage use the front window demister? That starts the ICE and it will stay on for a few minutes or longer if the car hasn't run the ICE for a couple of weeks?

Sent from my SM-N950F using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
No - it started from a full charge (plugged in) straight to ICE. No heating on at all - A/C off, front demister off etc. Error message as shown
Image
 
#26 ·
So......in essence we are driving a computer!! I have accepted that fact and "go with the flow".....that said, computers DO sometimes suffer from program glitches and/or occasional "anomalies" and I am sure the RAV4 P is no exception.
 
#27 ·
For once the Owner’s Manual was less than helpful;
“
If “Engine Started to Protect System EV driving unavailable” is displayed on the multi-information display EV driving may be canceled in order to protect the hybrid system, etc.

In this case, perform driving with the gasoline engine until EV driving will be returned to automatically. “
(Page 83 OM)

What do they mean “ etc? “ It doesn’t even work if I try replacing with Jerry Seinfeld’s “ yada yada yada “ because I expect/want that to end with “ , because (yada yada yada)“

Here is Page 83 of OM showing how many different things can trigger unexpected ICE-on.
 Click to enlarge.
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#28 ·
An update: started up today - straight to ICE - same EV mode unavailable error . Drove 30 miles in EV mode but with ICE running - no pure EV. Tried stopping and restarting - no improvement. Got to destination. Restarted car after 15mins and EV mode available, As you say - the car will do its own thing. Just need to make sure you’ve always got Petrol!
 
#29 ·
^Thank you for the update. I’m following this mystery topic and of course need more data.

You can try to read ECU error codes from the vehicle with an OBD dongle/app. I can see and clear ECU error codes on Carista (free 7day), ScanGaugeII (no setup but cost $$), and other apps. Try Auto Zone free code reading services. I think they will loan you a OBD scanner to use in the parking lot on your car. Sometimes the cheap OBD reader loaned out by Auto Zone (and other parts stores) do not read individual ECU error codes and will miss all but the most superficial error codes.

I’m eager to learn what exactly the R4Prime is triggering on, i.e. which component was too cold/hot or not working? Please ask lots of questions for dealer, and post any hints that you find. I think this is a dealer type problem. I can’t believe they don’t have an error code and idea of what it is.

My early guess is something wrong with traction battery heater and the big battery is getting too cold.
 
  • Like
Reactions: alflash and Matt_O
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#30 ·
Chazz8 said:
^Thank you for the update. I’m following this mystery topic and of course need more data.

You can try to read ECU error codes from the vehicle with an OBD dongle/app. I can see and clear ECU error codes on Carista (free 7day), ScanGaugeII (no setup but cost $$), and other apps. Try Auto Zone free code reading services. I think they will loan you a OBD scanner to use in the parking lot on your car. Sometimes the cheap OBD reader loaned out by Auto Zone (and other parts stores) do not read individual ECU error codes and will miss all but the most superficial error codes.

I’m eager to learn what exactly the R4Prime is triggering on, i.e. which component was too cold/hot or not working? Please ask lots of questions for dealer, and post any hints that you find. I think this is a dealer type problem. I can’t believe they don’t have an error code and idea of what it is.

My early guess is something wrong with traction battery heater and the big battery is getting too cold.
Click to expand...
As I understand it, in this situation it is desirable not only to read the trouble codes, but also to read their Freeze Frame Data.
Note.
The ECM records vehicle and driving condition information as Freeze Frame Data the moment a DTC is stored. When troubleshooting, Freeze Frame Data can be helpful in determining whether the vehicle was moving or stationary, whether the engine was warmed up or not, whether the air fuel ratio was lean or rich, as well as other data recorded at the time of a malfunction.
 
#31 ·
How do you read/interpret freeze frame data? Using TechStream to get at freeze frame data (or Carista, or BlueDriver, or OBDLink, or …) is one thing, but I have not seen anybody interpret it. Have not looked hard, but wary of time sink it could be to study up on it for limited troubleshooting use.

Point me/us in the right direction. What sites taught you about Freeze Frame data?
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#32 · (Edited)
I use a legal version of the Toyota Techstream software, an original Drewtech Mongoose cable and a subscription to the Toyota Technical Information System.
Saving the parameter values FFD at the time of detection / confirmation of a malfunction is a standard feature of all OBD systems after 1996.
For example, for RAV4hv
 
21 - 32 of 32 Posts
About this Discussion
31 Replies
12 Participants
Last post:
alflash
Toyota RAV4 Forums
posts
1.1M
members
174K
Since
2004
Rav 4 World is the internet's largest Toyota Rav4 SUV and EV online forum community. Discuss towing, modifications, and more.
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
4.3 General 4.3 Mechanical 4.5 RAV4 Hybrid (except Prime) 4.5 RAV4 Prime 4.3 Exterior