Need help on Warning light

Most Auto parts stores and auto repair shops have a relatively inexpensive device that plugs into your car and tells you what the error code is... In the US most all auto parts stores do this code reading service free of charge because it only takes a few minutes.

Once you know what the error code is you can do a search for what the problem is and the least expensive way to fix it either on here or elsewhere.

Hopefully it's nothing too serious?

 

The light on the right side means your tire pressure is low on one or more tires. Otherwise you have some kind of "check engine" alarm. You can buy an OBDII code reader from a variety of sources online, sometimes as low as $25. It plugs into a standard connector just under the dash. All US cars since maybe 1996 have the connector, so most any decent car repair shop could read them. The OBDII reader will also reset the alarm. Amazon.com: Autel MaxiScan MS300 CAN Diagnostic Scan Tool for OBDII Vehicles: Automotive

 

Well the first 2 things we tell everyone with those codes is check the 12 volt aux battery in the trunk and then check the Inverter Coolant reservoir for fluid movement.

Get a DC voltmeter and remove the black fuse cover in the engine compartment on the right.
There's a red plastic cover. Flip that up. Thats the 12 volt positive terminal to the little 12 volt battery in the trunk that drives everyone nuts. Get in the car and push the start button twice without putting your foot on the brake. That's the accessory mode. That puts a load on that 12 volt battery. We want to to see what the battery voltage is under load. While the car is in that mode get out and check the voltage on the the red terminal to ground. Anything lower than 11.9 volts and you need a new battery.

Next is checking the Inverter Coolant pump. Turn the car on normally until it says "ready" on the dash. Get out of the car and open the Inverter coolant tank cap. With a flashlight look into the coolant reservoir. You should see pretty good turbulence / movement of the fluid proving the pump is working good and keeping the Inverter & Trans cool. If in ready and the fluid is just sitting there you need a new pump. Very common issue.

Report back.

 

The correct coolant to be used is Toyota Super Long Life Coolant, which has a pink color. If you use lesser quality coolants you may end up with inverter coolant passages clogging in the future.

After the powertrain has cooled down, see whether you can make the car READY without any warning lights. If yes, then the only problem is the inverter coolant pump. If warning lights still appear then you may have an inverter failure, caused by the cooling system failure.

An inexpensive OBD-II code reader can only read powertrain DTC produced by the engine ECU and perhaps the hybrid vehicle ECU. It will not read DTC produced by other ECUs such as skid control, traction battery, SRS, air conditioning, body, etc.

So, if you purchase such a code reader, don't expect much from it. If you want a full-featured code reader you will have to obtain Toyota's Techstream Lite (which runs on a Windows laptop) or its equivalent.

 

1. If your car drives OK after the powertrain has cooled down, then it seems likely that the inverter and transaxle are both OK.

2. You'll need to say where the sounds are coming from. Perhaps the engine is just cooling down and making tick sounds as metal parts contract while they cool down?

3. Make the Prius IG-ON (from IG-OFF, press the POWER button two times without depressing the brake pedal.) You should see all the dashboard warning lights turn on. Open the hood, and look for the inverter coolant pump which is behind the headlight assembly and in front of the main relay/fuse box next to the inverter. As you stand in front of the car and face the front grille of the car, I am referring to the headlight which is to your right.

If the pump is running you may be able to hear it. A properly running inverter coolant pump sounds like an aquarium pump and you will not hear air bubbling. If you don't hear the pump running, then it is dead. This is a common problem.

Perhaps you can order the part from a Toyota dealer in Singapore? Or if necessary, maybe you can find a 12VDC electric pump from local sources.

 

Getting all the air out of the system is a problem just filling up does not always work. Check posts on replacing inverter pump for information.

 

Yes airlock is a problem for sure. Please be aware there's no reason for that tank to be that low unless you have a leak somewhere or some other ugly event happened.

if it was me I would start fresh. jack the car up on jackstands and get under the car and examine everything carefully. Take pictures and post any questions. Then dump the Inverter coolant by opening the coolant dump bolt on the trans. Careful as there are a couple under there and its important you open the right one. The other one is trans fluid dump bolt and the trans fluid should be changed soon too someday.

But open that coolant bolt and while its draining take the cap off the reservoir. Remove the front plastic top engine cover.
You will see the Inverter Coolant air petcock right in front of the Inverter. At the bottom left corner. Open that
petcock too while its draining. Its crazy tight so you have to hold the whole assy with a wrench while you turn the petcock open. After its done draining replace the coolant dump bolt underneath. Close the petcock. Fill the reservoir up with coolant. After you fill it up open the petcock up a little and see if any air comes out. Close it. Put car in READY. Check for turbulence in reservoir or listen carefully after engine shuts off at the pump for loud gurgling sounds. You must have pump sounds or pumps not running for whatever reason.

If pump sounds open petcock. Air should start coming out with fluid. Keep filling fluid up and opening the petcock till just fluid is running out and pump is humming uniformly. Its a back and forth deal. Fill...open petcock.
Do this till pump is very quiet and No gurgling. Top off reservoir to fill line. It helps to highlight fill line with black magic marker. Just highlight raised letters. Done.

 

I can't confirm part number, but you might want to to get in touch with whoever the regional Toyota representative is in your area / nearest dealership (likely India) and give them your VIN# to see if you qualify for the inverter pump recall. If your car is covered under the recall they'd likely work out a discount or no charge for the part... Good Luck!!! Hopefully this will be the only significant repair you car will ever require.

 

Yes, that part number is correct. For your information, in the US, the list price of that part is US$116.09.

I had SSC-A0N performed on my 2007 in April 2011 and the part number shown for the inverter coolant pump is 04000-32528. I do not know why that part number was used.

Since OP purchased a JDM vehicle exported from Japan, I doubt that Toyota will recognize any responsibility to support that car. Same concept with North American Prius moved outside the US and Canada - you are on your own, no warranties apply.

I am not sure whether Indian businesses in general will provide support to Pakistan citizens, but I'll leave it to the OP to comment on that.

 

Thanks for the update, glad to hear you are able to order from Dubai, good luck with the repair.

 

Congrats... Glad it was an easy fix!

 

While I really would not call it easy, considering the OP's location, great thread.
Thanks for letting us know how it all turned out. Good luck with the car.

 

Me too. So the OP can start enjoying the nice car. Welcome abord.