Description
The Toyota Prius v does not feature a conventional alternator; instead, the 12V auxiliary battery is charged by a DC-to-DC converter located within the Power Control Unit (PCU) or Inverter Assembly under the hood. This converter draws power from the main high-voltage hybrid battery and converts it to the approximately 14 volts needed for the 12V system, powering accessories like headlights, radio, and power steering. Failure of this charging function is typically due to a fault in the DC-to-DC converter section of the inverter assembly. Replacement of the entire inverter assembly is complex and expensive, with OEM part prices often in the thousands of dollars, though re-manufactured units are available at a lower cost.
