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

red triangle warning light + car won't start

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by cali_boi, May 12, 2010.

  1. cali_boi

    cali_boi New Member

    Joined:
    May 12, 2010
    1
    0
    0
    Location:
    tijuana
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    i've been searching different posts for clues as to what could have happened, but still nothing specific to what i'm experiencing...

    i haven't used the car all day today, and when i finally got out to get groceries, the car wouldn't start! the LCD display showed a yellow warning sign followed by "problem". that shut off after a couple seconds and now its showing the hybrid system problem icon.

    the battery meter on the display shows it's nearly full, and i have 2 bars in the gas tank. i don't know what else could be wrong. the only thing out of the ordinary was that yesterday, my boyfriend was cleaning the interior front to back, top to bottom including taking out the rear cargo space where the spare tire is found.

    i'm living in mexico, so it won't be easy to get a toyota dealer... i'm just hoping someone can give me some possible tips to get this thing running again....

    your help is appreicated:)
     
    #1 cali_boi, May 12, 2010
  2. V8Cobrakid

    V8Cobrakid Green Handyman

    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2004
    3,790
    152
    0
    Location:
    Park View, Los Angeles, CA. U.S.A
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    check the 12v battery...
     
    #2 V8Cobrakid, May 12, 2010
  3. ABL

    ABL Member

    Joined:
    Nov 9, 2009
    163
    30
    0
    Location:
    San Jose Ca.
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    Don't know if this will help but it sounds like you lost your HV circuits.
    I have a 2010 prius and lost all my HV when I snagged one of my cables on the HV interlock located in the trunk area. (I was installing a sub-woofer) The master switch is a bright orange switch which has to slide to the right to close the interlock to enable the HV circuits. I don't know where this switch is located in the 2nd gen prius but it should be in the cargo area. Other Gen 2 owners please chime if you know where this interlock is located.
    Good Luck
    Best Regards,
    Jim
     
    #3 ABL, May 12, 2010
  4. paprius4030

    paprius4030 My first Prius

    Joined:
    Aug 12, 2004
    2,077
    296
    0
    Location:
    York,Pa.
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Sounds like your 12v battery is dead.
     
    #4 paprius4030, May 12, 2010
  5. richard schumacher

    richard schumacher shortbus driver

    Joined:
    Mar 27, 2004
    7,663
    1,040
    0
    Location:
    United States
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Your BF probably did not disconnect the HV unless he was taking the car apart... he probably had the car in ACC while he was cleaning it, listening to the radio or something, and the 12V battery is nearly dead. You can check this using the procedure shown here:

    http://priuschat.com/forums/newbie-...g-mpgs-dropping-test-battery.html#post1020264

    Assuming that it fails the test a jump should get it going. BE CERTAIN to get the polarity correct when getting a jump; as with any modern car getting the polarity reversed can do many hundreds of $ of damage. Once it is running leave the car ON and in Park for an hour, and the battery may recover well enough, but it would be safer to replace it. (Bad BF, bad! Either leave the car ON and in Park so that it can keep itself charged up, or turn it completely OFF!)
     
    #5 richard schumacher, May 13, 2010
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)