1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Help needed with 2004 Prius

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by goodgirl_582, Feb 8, 2016.

Tags:
  1. goodgirl_582

    goodgirl_582 New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 7, 2016
    3
    1
    0
    Location:
    PA
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Hello everyone,

    I’m new here. I actually just bought a used 2004 Prius with 207,011 miles on it from out of state. I had a car shipped to me by a flatbed trailer. I just got the car the last weekend. However, It has a yellow engine light and a big red triangle with an exclamation mark (!) on a dashboard, and a red car with ! on top left of a display screen.

    I drove it to a DMV to get it registered and took it to Pepboys near my place since I have to get it an emission inspection within 10 days of registration anyways.

    They ran a diagnostic test and found 2 current error codes (C2310-open/short in battery circuit & C2318-low voltage error) and 1 history code (P0A80-hybrid batter pack needs replaced), so they didn’t perform the inspection; otherwise, it would have a failed record). They told me that the car has had problems before and the problems are about a hybrid transaxle and a hybrid batter pack. They also told me that I need to visit a Toyota dealer to get them fixed in order to pass the inspection, and they warned me that is going to cost me a large four digit probably around $9,000 (OMG!!!). So, they suggested me to just trade it in because it is not worth repairing. They also told me that a dealer who sold me the car probably would have done something to the car, that’s why it didn’t illuminate any warning lights before.

    I tried to gather as much information as I could, so I asked the shipper if he noticed any warning lights but he didn’t think so; one thing he noticed was the hybrid battery isn’t charged because the engine started every time he moved the car.

    I plan to take a car to another auto shop near my place as well in order to have them double check the issues and give me a repair estimate before taking a long trip to Toyota dealer (I hope that would be the last option I’ve got).

    I still have hopes that it won’t cost me a fortune. I know I was so stupid and not skeptical enough to have a mechanic inspected the car before purchasing it. This is a huge lesson learned for me!

    My question is:
    - Is it ok to drive the car?
    - What kind of repairs do I need? and how much?

    Please see the attached photo (a parking break was on).
    File Feb 08, 1 28 09 AM.jpeg

    Any suggestions on the codes and ways to solve them are welcomed.

    Any input would be great…Thank you in advance!
     
    #1 goodgirl_582, Feb 8, 2016
  2. 48mpg

    48mpg Member

    Joined:
    Nov 5, 2015
    193
    46
    0
    Location:
    florida
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    I
    start by replacing the 12 volt battery in the back ..I got a yellow top optima battery from advanced auto parts for $150 BUT you have to order it on line using their price matching system, the store price is about $80 more..I used this ad for the price match, just had to drop off the core locally and pay the sales tax.

    http://www.streetsideauto.com/p/optima-yellowtop-deep-cycle-ds46b24r/?utm_source=googlepepla&utm_medium=adword&gclid=CL7azMSV6MoCFdcSgQod15cOrQ

    reset the code and see if that helps after you replace the battery

    if the codes come back you will have to rebuild the main battery, you can do it yourself for $50 or pay someone to do it for about $500

    I have a few old Prii and with the low gas prices theres not much demand for them so I would not spend a lot of money..

    I would not drive it long in its current condition..

    be sure the invertor pump is working by taking the cap off the coolant bottle and look for movement when the car is on.

    the gas motor should run each time you start the car for about 20 seconds then it shuts down..if you have the heater on the motor will run all the time until the fluid heats up to generates heat.. then shut down
     
    #2 48mpg, Feb 8, 2016
    Last edited: Feb 8, 2016
  3. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,781
    48,985
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    welcome! do you know anything about the reliability of 12 year old cars with over 200,000 miles? sorry to say it, but i think you should dump it and move on as best you can.

    then look for something simpler like a corolla and etc. all the best.(y)
     
    #3 bisco, Feb 8, 2016
  4. Dion Kraft

    Dion Kraft Member

    Joined:
    Nov 16, 2015
    272
    79
    1
    Location:
    Washington, UT
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    I'm a little perplexed as to why would you buy a car sight unseen physically? There are no cars in your area readily for sale?
    Don't get mad as I know this is not solving the problem now but it may in the future as you think back about what you did.
    Just off the top of my head here it looks to be you need a Traction Battery and probably the 12 Volt battery as well. I am assuming that any of these suggestions by others will not be done by you so you must rely on others and also pay their labor as well. Get some estimates and then think this through as to how much you want to invest in this car before you get yourself into too deep. The best to you as well.
     
    #4 Dion Kraft, Feb 8, 2016
  5. JimN

    JimN Let the games begin!

    Joined:
    Nov 26, 2006
    7,028
    1,116
    0
    Location:
    South Jersey
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    V
    Goodgirl, where are you located in PA?
     
    #5 JimN, Feb 8, 2016
  6. goodgirl_582

    goodgirl_582 New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 7, 2016
    3
    1
    0
    Location:
    PA
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    N/A

    Thank you. The car now is at an auto shop. I will let them know once they get back to me. Your suggestion makes me feel relieved :)
     
    #6 goodgirl_582, Feb 9, 2016
  7. goodgirl_582

    goodgirl_582 New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 7, 2016
    3
    1
    0
    Location:
    PA
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Thank you for all comments and suggestions! I will think this more thoroughly! Will never make the same mistake again!

    Update: Got the car back...no problems found with the hybrid battery. Everything is fine! :)
     
    #7 goodgirl_582, Feb 9, 2016
    Last edited: Feb 9, 2016
    bisco likes this.
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)