HI: I just purchased a 2003 Prius in apparently good condition. Replaced the old smaller battery and replaced it with a larger battery tray and larger battery (CarQuest Sealed Model 2660) which exactly fits inside the left rear fender. After filling it up, about a mile away from the auction site , I started to drive away and the red alert triangle came up, and the car would not gop faster than 13 MPH. There were two icons showing in the window: a "Main Battery" icon in the center and another icon with two letters, something like PM or PC on the left side of the screen I need to get a compatible OBDII reader to see if I can findout what is happening and determine if I should take the car to the shop or have it towed home. Can anyone suggest what to do? I have some experience with older cars, Nuclear submarines and Aircraft Carriers and am HAPPY to buy an OCDII once I kno which model to get.
Unfortunately none of the commercial OBDII readers (known to me) will show you some of the proprietary Toyota codes and subcodes. There is a good chance that those are involved so I suggest a slooow drive or tow to a Toyota shop and get a complete readout from them. Sorry I can't decode the screen display you describe. But stick with it and tell us what you find out. By the way, I wish we knew the location of Graham Davies miniscanners in the possesion of Priuschat or yahoo PTS members. Oh and welcome 1st time poster.
Since it sounds like you have a traction battery problem, I suggest that you have your local Toyota dealer service dept retrieve all DTC and give you a diagnosis. This should cost one hour of labor time. If it is confirmed that the traction battery is the problem, then you may be able to purchase a salvage battery and DIY replacement if your experience includes working on high voltage / high current circuits.
I believe that the 'oh-s***' DTCs that Patrick fears would not be reported by generic OBDII code readers.
