Eml check hybrid system and vsc light on

[Zeddi]

Has anyone come across this issue on a Toyota estima hybrid all off a sudden whilst driving engine management light came on messages was check hybrid system and also vsc light on aswell as handbrake light on Amber. Is this a big issue as their no guidance on Google for the estima hybrid only for prius and lexus keep coming up.

[Gerg]

I seem to remember that this has been reported before on here.

The VSC turns off (so the warning comes on) if there is any hybrid or engine-related fault which could make VSC engine response anything less than completely predictable.

I think the 'Check Hybrid System' is the primary fault - the one that is causing these errors.

I don't know the Estima, but all Toyota hybrids have a fan to cool the high voltage Battery pack.  If the fan and/or its grill get blocked up with debris (pet hair, dust, sweet wrappers etc.), then that can certainly be one reason for the hybrid warning message to get posted, as the hybrid system is turned off if the Battery temperature gets too high.

You might google 'estima hybrid Battery cooling fan cleaning'  There will be a grille near the battery pack, probably near the rear-most seats.  This could be near floor/feet level, but could be near the seat flanks.  The grille will probably be a bit bigger than a beer mat.  You need to get a torch and look into it to check how clean it is.  The fan will be beyond the grille, maybe not easily visible, and will be a regular 'snail shell' unit. 

There are lots of potential reasons for your hybrid error, but the battery overheating is a common one, and is fairly easy to investigate without special tools. If the problem isn't there when the car, or the weather, has cooled down, then that is a further nudge in the direction of a blocked cooling fan being a suspect. 

Beyond that, you will need to get any codes scanned with a compatible scanner - it is likely that a cheaper generic scanner won't be able to find the Toyota-specific hybrid error codes, only the 'more normal' ones.

 

[Zeddi]

Thanks for the above will need to check that fan see if that is the main cause to the issue. I appericate the advice 

[flash22]

Get the car scanned for codes

 

The fan(s) on the Estima hybrid are well buried they are part of the pack but can be accessed

@Gerg Estima Battery pack is between the front seats

 

A vid of the full pack removal but it shows how to remove the centre console - Warning you need to disconnect the 12v Battery and pull the large orange fuse as you need to remove the top pack cover to get at the fans, exposing the HV cables

 

[Gerg]

[Flash just beat me with his reply to this!]

The Estima does have a more complicated cooling air path than almost all other Toyota hybrids!

Interesting video, the Battery isn't in the boot.  So forget about looking for any grilles there.

Might be worth getting the error codes checked after you've looked for obvious blockages around the centre console air intakes; as the fans are so inaccessible.

[Zeddi]

Iv had a look through the flap looks fairly clean on the outside ca t really see really deep inside but once I get a day off will strip it all down, cleaning the fan will a hair dryer do the job or will I need something more powerful... and is their only one fan at the rear. Or is their more then one ?

[Gerg]

From flash22's video and diagram it looks like there are two fans.

FWIW, I am responsible for the maintenance of a couple of Auris hybrids, so I am just an interested owner.

Our cars have never given any problems in this area, and are a much, much simpler design with easier access to the Battery and even more so the fan.

This area of your car (the console) is where the high voltage batteries live, clearly.  The voltages exposed under some of these Battery covers will be over 200 volts, so potentially deadly.  The bloke in the video is wearing insulating gloves to give an extra level of personal protection!  At a dealers that would be mandatory equipment, no question.  You would need a pair of these too.

After seeing how the Battery pack is located and constucted, I would think very carefully where you go with a DIY fix.  If you're not completly comfortable with your skills and/or training in this type of area, then an electrical specialist should get involved.

I would expect a toothbrush, a regular, narrow paint brush and a vacuum cleaner should be enough to clean the fans, but that will be the easy part of doing this, I now see after watching the video!

[Zeddi]

Appericate the care buddy will give it a try as long as I remember to take the negative terminal off the rear Battery.. and that red clip off the hybrid Battery should be completely dead no power hopefully..

[TonyHSD]

Best to scan for codes and not driving at all. The problems might also be a water pump for the inverter and if you keep driving the car you may fry it and then it’s a bigger issue. Also hybrid system malfunction can be as a result of other issues, transmission, engine, Battery. The codes will point you in the right direction. Good advice so far but without codes you don’t know what to look for. 👍

[Zeddi]

49 minutes ago, TonyHSD said:

Best to scan for codes and not driving at all. The problems might also be a water pump for the inverter and if you keep driving the car you may fry it and then it’s a bigger issue. Also hybrid system malfunction can be as a result of other issues, transmission, engine, battery. The codes will point you in the right direction. Good advice so far but without codes you don’t know what to look for. 👍

Were do people go to get codes read for their hybrid cars ..? As iv heard the normal code readers dont really work for hybrids 

[Paulscarbs]

13 minutes ago, Zeddi said:

Were do people go to get codes read for their hybrid cars ..? As iv heard the normal code readers dont really work for hybrids 

You’ll require a JOBDII reader.

[TonyHSD]

1 hour ago, Zeddi said:

Were do people go to get codes read for their hybrid cars ..? As iv heard the normal code readers dont really work for hybrids 

That’s not true. You can buy obd code reader off Amazon and do it yourself with suitable app on your phone. I personally use Carista but to read all codes you need a subscription, there are different options though. 
CARISTA OBD2 bluetooth Adapter and App: Diagnose, Customize and Service your VW, Audi, SEAT, Skoda, Nissan, Infiniti, Toyota, Lexus, BMW, Mini https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00YVHGTBM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_XP9NH4DCX3QD91KVRHEW?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

[Zeddi]

1 hour ago, TonyHSD said:

That’s not true. You can buy obd code reader off Amazon and do it yourself with suitable app on your phone. I personally use Carista but to read all codes you need a subscription, there are different options though. 
CARISTA OBD2 Bluetooth Adapter and App: Diagnose, Customize and Service your VW, Audi, SEAT, Skoda, Nissan, Infiniti, Toyota, Lexus, BMW, Mini https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00YVHGTBM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_XP9NH4DCX3QD91KVRHEW?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

I use to have an obd 2 reader let's see if I can find it

[TonyHSD]

2 hours ago, Zeddi said:

I use to have an obd 2 reader let's see if I can find it

If it’s some generic one for diy use it might not read it but worth trying. This Carista is good as with suitable apps can give information about hybrid Battery, reset faults and read faults on other systems not only engine sensors like older type obd readers. It helped me detect and reset hybrid system malfunction, stop passenger seat belt alarm , abs sensor fault , done wonderful job for me. 

[Hybridjunky]

Did you manage to find out anything? It's most likely the hybrid Battery bt you can only find out by checking for error codes.

[Zeddi]

The car has been fine so nothing checked if the issue happens again will need to investigate 

[Tarak]

On 4/25/2022 at 10:28 AM, Gerg said:

I seem to remember that this has been reported before on here.

The VSC turns off (so the warning comes on) if there is any hybrid or engine-related fault which could make VSC engine response anything less than completely predictable.

I think the 'Check Hybrid System' is the primary fault - the one that is causing these errors.

I don't know the Estima, but all Toyota hybrids have a fan to cool the high voltage battery pack.  If the fan and/or its grill get blocked up with debris (pet hair, dust, sweet wrappers etc.), then that can certainly be one reason for the hybrid warning message to get posted, as the hybrid system is turned off if the battery temperature gets too high.

You might google 'estima hybrid battery cooling fan cleaning'  There will be a grille near the battery pack, probably near the rear-most seats.  This could be near floor/feet level, but could be near the seat flanks.  The grille will probably be a bit bigger than a beer mat.  You need to get a torch and look into it to check how clean it is.  The fan will be beyond the grille, maybe not easily visible, and will be a regular 'snail shell' unit. 

There are lots of potential reasons for your hybrid error, but the battery overheating is a common one, and is fairly easy to investigate without special tools. If the problem isn't there when the car, or the weather, has cooled down, then that is a further nudge in the direction of a blocked cooling fan being a suspect. 

Beyond that, you will need to get any codes scanned with a compatible scanner - it is likely that a cheaper generic scanner won't be able to find the Toyota-specific hybrid error codes, only the 'more normal' ones.

 

Good morning Gerg,

Looks like I have the same problem, I bought this Estima hybrid last 1st February, after that my dealer tried hard to help, he cleared these 4 orange lights few times, then he replaced the new Battery that he installed when he had the car from Japan, now I am facing these warning lights VSC an wondering if this fan is causing this issue ? I have now to explain it all to my mechanic to clean this for me, also look for this part to buy if available and not very expensive???

Much appreciated it !

[Stephen29]

If you get a bluetooth OBD adapter and the HYbrid Asisstant app (Android only) or DrPrius app, you can monitor the Battery and invertor temperatures which would at least help determine if that was relevant

(Obviously dont try to study them when driving along as too distracting, other than as a quick glance at current temperatures  -- best to do as a passenger or after parking up). Also the Hybrid Assistant will log the data and can view it later.

Re dealer replaced the Battery -- that was probably the rear 12v Battery that has a temperature sensor (either embedded or taped on). If that temperature sesnor isnt connected or reading right can also get warnings, but most posts say just taping it to the battey is sufficient  (not quite sure how different that is to just dangling nearby as would see cool temperature ?  Its the fact it needs to be connected that is the key point?) 

[Steven84]

The temperature sensor taped on the positive side on mine 12V Battery.

Check the error code first