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Temperature Warning Light Flashing

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by dnaboston, May 8, 2011.

  1. dnaboston

    dnaboston Junior Member

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    2014 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Five
    On my way home yesterday on the Interstate driving normal speed (65-70) and thought I seen something flash - I looked again and the thermometer/temp guage warning light was flashing. It flashed 3 or 4 times then went out. It happened again so I pulled off the next exit. Reading the book, it said to turn off the AC, check to see if there is steam coming out from under the hood, if no steam, check to see if the fans are running which they weren't so the solution was to call Toyota which I did and they dispatched a tow truck. At first I didn't hear any strange noises or smell strange smells so I got back in the car, started it and moved it farther off the Interstate. At that time I heard a weird whining noise. I got out and from the outside it sounded like a motor (i thought maybe the fans) were trying to spin but were bound up and whining. I popped the hood and the ICE was making a sound (at least it sounded like it was coming from the left side) like you were cranking over a car with a very low battery (that kind of stuttered turn) mixed with a car that barely stays running when you pull up to a stop light...kind of sputtering and trying to die. It was a horrible noise.

    The tow company dropped me and 2010 Prius V with ATP and 10k miles off at the dealership. Any thoughts out there on what this could be and what it is going to take to fix???

    Thanks!

    Dave
     
    #1 dnaboston, May 8, 2011
  2. kbeck

    kbeck Active Member

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    Offhand, sounds vaguely like your fan motor has bit the dust. Of course, it might not be the fan motor: Ye random thermostat, fuse, etc. etc. may have gone away. In any case, this sounds like something the dealership should be able to troubleshoot in zip time.

    Good luck!

    Kbeck.
     
    #2 kbeck, May 8, 2011
    1 person likes this.
  3. wesayso

    wesayso Member

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    Hope it's something simple. Keep us posted.
     
    #3 wesayso, May 8, 2011
  4. LulzChicken

    LulzChicken Prius Enthusiast

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    I'm very curious as to what the issue is. As wesayso said, please keep us posted.
     
    #4 LulzChicken, May 9, 2011
  5. dnaboston

    dnaboston Junior Member

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    Vehicle:
    2014 Prius v wagon
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    Five
    Good news...pin size hole in a lower radiator hose that from what I understand would only leak coolant under pressure. About a week ago, there was something flat on the interstate that i hit with the edge of my tire (work midnights, it was dark and I couldn't see it) and it kicked up and hit under the car. That is when it had to happen. The mechanic didn't feel like I would necessarily see any spotting or anything like that in my driveway etc.

    While I was walking through the checklist, I noticed that there were two containers that had this pink fluid...I didn't know that engine coolant (is it still called antifreeze) was now pink. The one on the left side was about 1/3 full where the one on the right side was about 2/3 full. I guess if I had some with me I could have probably driven home and to the dealership the next day had I known that the pink stuff was coolant and that it was low. Live and learn.

    The mechanic didn't feel that there was any damage done. Although it doesn't answer the question of what the horrible noise I heard was....???

    Dave
     
    #5 dnaboston, May 10, 2011
    ScottHz and wesayso like this.
  6. wesayso

    wesayso Member

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    If the engine coolant was low enough to cause overheating, you probably had air/steam trapped in the system causing the electric water pump to make noise. If it doesn't do it after the repair of the hose and filling w/antifreeze, I wouldn't worry about it. Thanks for posting your findings.
     
    #6 wesayso, May 11, 2011
  7. ETC(SS)

    ETC(SS) The OTHER One Percenter.....

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    Concur, and don't beat yourself up about calling the tow truck. You did the right thing, it would seem.
    I'd monitor the engine for more unusual noises (something not always easy for Priuses) and presume that your immediate action saved you from permanent damage.
    Temperature spikes aren't cool (pun almost unintended!)
    Usually what happens is somebody who thinks that they know more than they really do will chalk it up to an instrumentation or other glitch and continue to monitor the flashing over-temp light until it illuminates steady state---or, worse(!) since nobody likes to wait for a tow truck, they'll try to limp the car home and wait for assistance there. :rolleyes:

    Good Luck with the car.
    Hope this is the last glitch!
     
    #7 ETC(SS), May 11, 2011
  8. tumbleweed

    tumbleweed Senior Member

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    The under side of the car is pretty well covered. Two covers under the engine. I don't see how anything you hit could have gotten through the covers and punctured a hose. If that is what happened there would have to be evidence, broken panel, etc. Most likely it was a defective hose.

    This may be important, if it is a defective hose Toyota pays; if it were road damage you or your insurance company pay. If the dealer claims it was road damage ask them to show you the damage to the panel the debris went through to reach the hose.
     
    #8 tumbleweed, May 14, 2011
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