Worse than Hybrid System Warning Light!

I wonder if I'll win a prize for this one.

I've been searching all over, and this might be my best shot.

My Hybrid System Warning light, red triangle with exclamation, and Check Engine light all went off at the same time.

Couple seconds later, not only do I get forced into a "neutral" roll (which, as it just so happens, I had enough momentum to get me into a gas station parking lot), but it completely shuts down on me.

I try to turn it back on, and for about a second, the box outlines of where P, N, D, B, are start flashing (without the letters!), and it immediately "clicks" off, with the light within the power button glowing orange on and off.

Then came that weird burnt electrical smell....

I suspect it must be some sort of electrical component, as there was no rough engine noise or anything, just those warning light, then a few seconds later, the engine shutdown, followed by a complete electrical shutdown...

It's going to a Toyota dealer tomorrow, but boy, I'm really worried something "big" went on this one.

Anyone here experience this?

 

Update:

Well, the dealer is telling us:

1. The 12V batter needs to be replaced, and
2. The inverter cooler needs to be replaced.

What the heck?! Could the inverter cooler go "out" at the same time as the 12V battery? If so, is this particular cooler considered part of the drivetrain and under the umbrella of the some sort of drivetrain warranty (I'm not quite sure where I got it from, but isn't aren't the hybrid components under warranty up to 100K miles? (assuming this falls under that particular warranty realm)).

So I guess, in the end, the Mouse was not to blame, but an intriguing theory nonetheless.

Thanks to all whom have shared their perspectives upon my woe!

 

None.

At least, within the last 30K miles or so (we purchased the car with 60 some odd thousand miles, it's now at 98k).

 

Wow, this board is truly a tremendous resource! Well, my significant other already gave them the ok to replace it, and the battery. All for the small price of about $900. I suppose in the end, when you factor my time into it, it's close to worth it, and it'll be ready, probably, by the end of day tomorrow.

That being said, however, looks like I should do mine (we both have '04's) and mine is already at the 117K mark)) before it flops in some horribly inconvenient place.

Thanks a ton for that link dogfriend, that post might have actually saved us some fairly significant dealer labor costs.

 

Well, time for the update, with a new dimension.

Well, they replaced the inverter pump and battery, all to the tune of $739. When I looked within the engine compartment, saw the shiny new screws, I was like, "I could have done that myself...", but alas, the situation simply wasn't right (lots of factors, the car was relatively far from home, etc., it was just "easier" this way).

Now, for the new dimension I didn't previously mention; when the car was towed to the dealership, the kid on Saturday night tow duty, was inexperienced with anything other than pulling up cars onto a flatbed. Long and short, he actually "dropped" the car! Wasn't too bad, just fell out of the tow bar at barely walking speed as he had misjudged the angle of the tow arm, and the driveway out of the gas station was a relatively steep incline.

Anyway, he had these big magnetic turn signals placed at the top of each side of the hatchback, with this thick cable between the signal casings, resting loosely maybe six inches behind the antenna.

You can probably see where this is going.

Well, car popped off, and in that instant moment it took the kid to realize what happened and hit the brake, the signals pulled right off the car, snapping the antenna at the base.

Now, I was irate, but I didn't let him verbally have it. I was with him as he mounted and double checked everything, he was just a kid, and I could tell he was trying hard to get everything right. Obviously, I'm not a tow operator, so the only part I couldn't notice anything wrong with, was the angle of the tow bar, I have no idea what the "ideal" setting is, nor could I really tell by "eyeballing it", if it was indeed going to be close. On top of that, he had this absolute look of horror on his face, and I knew yelling would only make the situation worse. Plus, there was the fact we still had to get the car to the dealership, and he was, quite clearly, tense.

To his credit, he apologized profusely, and radioed his boss with his tale of woe. I felt so bad for the kid, he flat out said he was done for, and was certain this night would be his last amongst the world of the employed. I told him not to worry, I'd call his boss up and encourage him not to fire him over a stupid antenna, that I'd pitch out the $40 or $50 to replace it, there are too many unemployed these days, and I simply didn't want someone's job to vanish over a couple of bucks. Next morning, called the owner, and encouraged him not to give the kid the ax.

Fast forward >>>>>>>>>

Now, I checked out the damage. The antenna got whacked about an inch north from where it met the roof. I peered into the cavity, and saw a circuit board. It was seemingly in tact, with the remainder of the antenna dangling not more than an inch or two away from this 12 or 14 gauge black wire going into the hole.

The punch line:

Here I was thinking I'd just super glue the thing back on, or buy a replacement for $40/$50 bucks, maybe even close to $100 at most.

Cost to replace antenna:

$780.00 USD

MORE than the battery and inverter!

Apparently, the deal was, that black wire got pulled out from the amp, and to replace it appropriately they would have to remove the headliner, and wire it down through. Or so they say.

Well, to the towing company's credit, they owned up, and PAID for it. Poor guy gave the dealer like $500 or so in check form, then the remainder in cash. I almost picture him reaching way down into the front pockets of his dirty jeans, the last few dollar bills crumpled, along with the change from his morning coffee grudgingly slapped onto the counter.

Whether or not the kid got fired, I've no idea. I suppose I can call and ask for him, and see what they say.

 

Thank you! Much appreciated, but I did change the transaxle fluid already I think I did mine at somewhere around 85K, and her's at around 70K.