Red triangle/Check Engine lights came on on the freeway!

I was on my way to work this morning when the car just stopped accelerating (or so it felt), all the dash lights came on, I pulled over to the side of the freeway (I was very lucky). Radio and a/c were still working. Powered off, powered on too soon a couple of times - the red triangle and check engine both came on again. Cooled my jets and gave it a few minutes, powered on and the red triangle was gone, but the check engine was still on. Drives perfectly, no problems w/either gas or hybrid engine.

Tried to get into a dealership, they were all too busy to see me, so I drove to the place where I get my oil changes. He changed my oil, did a quick look at things and didn't see anything that jumped out at him. I should say that I trust this guy implicitly. I asked if he knew anything about the local dealership, he said he works with only one guy there and suggested that I make an appointment with him and he would be in touch with him. The service manager doesn't work again until Tues @ 10, so that's when I made my appointment.

I've searched through the board to see what the problems could cause this. I saw someone had a clogged vent in the rear due to dogs. I have two greyhounds, not exactly big shedders and they don't ride with me that often. I also read about the water pump recall, I haven't had mine replaced yet.

Any thoughts? Any thoughts on if it safe to drive between now and Tuesday?

 

I went out to the car after work, opened and reclosed the gas cap, powered up and everything was normal. No check engine light. I still took surface streets, but weird, weird, weird.

Patrick, so I just power the car on as if I were going to drive it and then open the hood and check the inverter coolant reservoir to see if the fluid is moving?

ETA: I have a 2004 Prius w/123,000+ miles on it.

 

None of the dealerships in the area could take my car in until Mon, so I drove it over to the guy who does my oil changes (not a Toyota dealership), that's why he couldn't scan it. I haven't had the recall done yet, looks like it will be happening this coming week. I'll check for turbulence tomorrow. I have to street park where I'm live and can't see anything out there after dark (plus it's not exactly the safest thing to be doing in my neck of the woods at night!).

Thanks!

 

Turned the car on, looked inside the inverter reservoir, the liquid was turbulent. Is it possible that the inverter is on its way out and works intermittently?

 

I was just told that the code that came up was POAOS and they can't find anything wrong with my car. The 12v battery is still solid. So why did my car cut out on the freeway? They don't seem to know. However, they want me to spend $515 (minus a 10% discount to fix the clicking sound that my shift knob makes...I've seen here on PC that I can DIY with some very good instructions posted by another PChatter). I told them to hold off on the shifter.

I still want to understand why my car died on the freeway. It really scares me that they don't have an answer for me. Any thoughts? Advice?

I may have misunderstood him when he gave me the code, but that's what it sounded like. I'm picking the car up in a few hours, so I'll get it in writing there. I cannot seem to find that particular code anywhere.

 

Back w/the paperwork. I did misunderstand the code over the phone. The code was P0A0F (not ending in S). The paperwork says: "Scanned and found code # P0A0F Stores. Engine Failed to start at one time. checked battery and charging system OK...reset and cleared codes."

So, my engine failed to start while I was driving on the freeway at 63 miles per hour, per the data the computer gave them. Their attitude is VERY cavalier, they don't seem to give a rat's hind end about it. I'm pretty disturbed about their disregard. I've got a friend who is an accident investigator, I'm going to email him this info to see what he has to say. I'm going out of town soon, a 275 mile drive, I am not looking forward to it.

What does ECU stand for?

 

I just reviewed the paperwork, no subcode listed, just P0A0F. I don't think it was bad gas, I was about half way through a tank of gas from Costco. I don't go to a quick lube for oil changes, I've been going to the same place for years and I was due for an oil change.

Here is what they did:
Replace HV Electric Water Pump
HV Electric water PU
Super long life cool
Replaced Inverter battery and refilled new coolant

They also did the accelerator pedal recall.

I thought there were only two batteries in the Prius, the hybrid battery and the little 12volt in the back, but it says they replaced the inverter battery. Does anyone know what this is?

 

There is no code listed for this line. Here is exactly how it reads:

"B. Check for open recall or service actions on this vehicle/vin
Cause: as per recall
0615L1 AON relace HV electric water pump - Prius
416 W
1 04000-32528 HV Electronic Water PU
1 00272-SLLC2 Super long life cool

Parts: 0.00 Labor: 0.00 Other: 0.00 Total line B: 0.00
123474 replaced inverter battery and refilled new coolant"

 

Yes, I am still on the original 12 volt.