Disconnecting the hybrid system?

[hbelkins]

Is it possible to disconnect/disable the hybrid system in the Vue Green Line to make it a gasoline-only engine?

If my charging issues are being caused by a BECM problem or other fault in the hybrid system, it seems to me that I could disconnect and isolate that system to make the vehicle run only with the gasoline engine and the 12-volt battery.

But is that possible? And if so, what needs to be disconnected? Just the three blue-cable leads to the alternator? Or would there be other wires to disconnect as well?

I'm willing to take the hit on gas mileage if it means my vehicle will run and the alternator will charge the 12-volt battery without the whole charging system shutting down if there are issues with charging the 36-volt system.

[Bill Murray]

This one is beyond my expertise, but I'll throw in a few comments.
I believe this system uses a combination alternator/starter connected to the engine via a belt.

So there are potentially two ways to try your idea.
One would be to retrofit your engine with a conventional starter, alternator, and battery and make it like a non Green Line Vue.
I'm guessing this is gonna need a lot parts plus rewiring in the chassis, but obviously there are a lot of those Vues in junkyards to try and get the parts.


The other is to make your alternator / starter work more like a conventional system, and charge your battery properly. This is one where we need some experts to chime in.

Good luck!

[hbelkins]

Originally Posted by Bill Murray

This one is beyond my expertise, but I'll throw in a few comments.
I believe this system uses a combination alternator/starter connected to the engine via a belt.

So there are potentially two ways to try your idea.
One would be to retrofit your engine with a conventional starter, alternator, and battery and make it like a non Green Line Vue.
I'm guessing this is gonna need a lot parts plus rewiring in the chassis, but obviously there are a lot of those Vues in junkyards to try and get the parts.


The other is to make your alternator / starter work more like a conventional system, and charge your battery properly. This is one where we need some experts to chime in.

Good luck!

If I had the cash to do all that retrofitting, I could afford to get the problem that seems to be in the hybrid BECM fixed.

I'm looking for something cheap and quick that would restore functionality to the vehicle and that would allow for permanent repairs if I ever win the lottery. If the hybrid system could be disabled, I'm pretty sure the 12 volt system would charge as it's supposed to. As it is, I'm afraid to drive the vehicle more than six or seven miles. If I drive for that short of a distance, stop to go in a store or post office, and then start it again, the battery light comes on.

[hbelkins]

I learned over the weekend that it is indeed possible to disconnect the system. However, I still cannot find out how to do it. Any ideas? Can I try just disconnecting the three 36-volt leads from the alternator, or should I unplug/unhook something in the battery compartment in the back hatch?

[smuckola]

Hi there. Did you ever get anywhere with your idea? I just bought a 2008 Vue Greenline and I see this guide saying this is absolutely impossible by design. It says the hybrid subsystem, called belt alternator system (BAS) is the car's only alternator. So BAS is required to even charge the main 12v battery, which will die in 30-60 minutes otherwise.

https://www.tirereview.com/power-ass...n-vue-hybrids/

Sure, I'd absolutely like to have fewer single points of failure! Especially if they're custom and weird like an early mild hybrid! I'd love to have the peace of mind that my cross country trip in my dream machine would be just fine if the big battery cooks uphill in the desert, and I need to flip a big lever to enable reduced MPG mode