on gen 1 prius what does the car symbol with xclamation pt mean

1. Get Mini VCI which runs on a Windows XP or Windows 7, 32 bit OS laptop.
2. You seem to be assuming the traction battery still has a problem, but your issue may have nothing to do with that battery.
3. The red car with ! superimposed, warning icon in the upper left corner of the MFD means that your hybrid drivetrain has a problem.
4. Odometer reading?
5. It is much easier to replace transaxle ATF on the Prius than on most vehicles. You need a 24 mm (or 15/16") socket to remove the fill plug, a plastic funnel with a 3 ft. tail, and (in the case of Classic Prius) 5 quarts of Toyota ATF T-IV. I forgot the socket size required to remove the drain plug, but you would be better off removing the drain pan so you can clean it out and look at all the debris collected on the pan magnet. Obviously if you do that you will need a new drain pan gasket. The tightening torque on the drain pan bolts is very low, 5-6 ft.-lb.
6. I think it was a bad idea to install a used inverter coolant pump. Those pumps aren't the most reliable when starting from new, why install one that has "only-God-knows" how many miles on it already?

 

Use the search function and look for miniVCI. Also, take a look at the sticky thread on ownership.

Please don't confuse our NiMH batteries for NiCD which suffer the dendrite problem. The NiMH modules in our NHW11 Prius are subject to electrolyte loss through the terminal seals. These modules run hotter than later modules and that leads to a loss of electrolyte water. We can discuss more but I would recommend searching for NiMH and my username.

GOOD LUCK!
Bob Wilson

 

Daag,
I bought a generic code reader for a Mercedes a while back, and it reads my 2001 Toyota Prius codes, as well as my friend's 2000 Toyota Tacoma. But from the symptoms you mention, it sounds like your HV battery is having problems. I don't think the oil in the transmission will give you a Hybrid System failure, that is usually the Large High Voltage Battery, has a dead cell or cells, or a sense wire broke, making it think you have a bad block of cells. The Mini VCI will help you determine what blocks are bad in the Battery Pack, and it will show you any codes stored. The Mini VCI is cheaper, and gives you more information, than a plain code reader. But you do need to have an older Laptop running Windows XP. Loading the software is a little tricky, just follow the directions, or ask for help with that. Yes those NHW11 cells do leak and corrode the terminals, so you might as well tear it apart, and check it out. I posted pics of mine, that might help. But Remember to pull the big Orange Power Safety plug first!!! Or you run the risk of serious injury from electrical shock, there is 285 volts in the Battery Pack, so be careful!!!
The Plug can be found on the drivers side of the battery pack looking in from the trunk, after you remove the covers in the trunk. The Pack is located just behind the back seat, which need to come out.

 

Hi Patrick, I’m having the same issue , car with “!” Symbol. Can’t get a reading regarding codes.. you’ve mentioned the drive train on a couple of posts, so should I try replacing the transaxle with the fluid and this will fix my drivetrain? Thanks....

 

Don’t expect a transaxle ATF fluid change to fix a drivetrain problem. The idea behind the fluid change is to reduce mechanical components wear. Once you have logged a fault related to the transaxle, it is too late.

 

"Can't get a reading regarding codes" means the next step is to get set up for reading codes, and find out what the car is trying to tell you. Everything else is expensive and a lot of work, and the expense and the work should be saved for when you know what the problem is.

A search about Techstream (the software of choice for reading the codes) should turn up lots of information here.

 

No, Patrick mentioned the hybrid drivetrain, ie. the electric motor and its controls, not the transmission

 

Samey-samey.

The assembly that anybody would look at and say "that's the transmission" (or transaxle) is what the electric motors are inside of.

The brain-teaser about a Prius is whether the box of electronic controls sitting on top of that is part of the "transmission" or not. First reaction would be no, and it does have its own name, can be bought and replaced separately, and so on. But if you look at the path power follows as it's getting transmitted from the source to the wheels, then in that sense the box of electronics is "part of the transmission".

 

Can anyone suggest an honest reliable mechanic in the Daytona Beach area? The Toyota dealerships just want to sell me a new one!! I can’t afford a new one, I’ve been laid off, money is short.....

 

A new one what? HV battery? You can fix it yourself wuth a friend who understands DC with YouTube videos and replacement modules for bad cells for $100 if money is short.