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Red Triangle after Rear ended? Why?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by clearblue, Jun 6, 2011.

  1. clearblue

    clearblue Junior Member

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    I am trying to figure out why the red triangle would come on after being rear ended?

    Any ideas?
     
  2. andyprius

    andyprius Senior Member

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    Possibly a change of cooling air around HV Battery, was it the right rear side?
     
  3. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    Not sure why the OP is asking this question since he received a correct answer in posts 2 and 4 of this string:
    http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-ii-...7-rear-ended-red-triangle-vsc-abs-lights.html

    The master warning light red triangle will turn on whenever the car's ECUs detect any impairment. The triangle is a warning for the driver to look at whatever other warning lights or messages have appeared, to figure out what is wrong.
     
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  4. clearblue

    clearblue Junior Member

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    Okay. Thanks. How do you get rid of the red triangle? The Brake Supply box was damaged. I tried to unplug the brake supply and the Red Triangle Still didn't go away.
     
  5. seilerts

    seilerts Battery Curmudgeon

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    Have the code(s) read. It could be anything. I found that if the power to the HV battery fan is disconnected it will cause a red triangle for example.
     
  6. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    You get rid of the red triangle by fixing the problem that caused the warning light to go on. It doesn't help to unplug the failed part.

    A system design that allowed a warning light to turn off by disconnecting the failed part would be a poor design, especially when the part in question is an important part of the brake system. Its purpose is to provide temporary power to the brake system in the event that the DC/DC converter fails and the 12V battery cannot maintain 12V bus voltage at the correct level. The brake supply box will help you to stop the car safely in that event.
     
  7. clearblue

    clearblue Junior Member

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    Of course. I am simply trying to get it so I can drive it to get estimates. And besides the Brake Supply being damaged; that should not cause the Red Triangle from what I have researched.

    Thanks for the info though.
     
  8. The Electric Me

    The Electric Me Go Speed Go!

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    I hang around more auto sites than just Prius Chat. It amazes me how often people will post with things like:

    My tires were low..and the Low Pressure Tire Light came on...why?

    My Check Engine Light came on. Should I check my engine?

    Basically? This is a system working as intended. Red Triangle after being rear ended? Hmm...let me plug my common sense scanner into the obvious port of my ECU....I'm guessing the light came on because you were rear ended.

    Just go have "why" it might specifically be illuminated checked out...that's what a warning is for...trying to figure out ways to make it go away, without knowing exactly why it is illuminated is not a good idea.
     
  9. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    I question the research that you have done, if it leads you to believe that a DTC logged by the skid control ECU will not cause the master warning red triangle to appear.

    In any event, you can ignore the red triangle warning light if you wish to drive the car. Your decision to drive the car or not should be based upon whether 1) you feel the car is safe to drive (in other words, it responds to your steering, braking and acceleration inputs) and 2) whether more damage will be caused to the car during the drive (for example, a cooling or lubrication system may be impaired which causes damage to the component being cooled or lubricated.)
     
  10. BrettS

    BrettS Active Member

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    Frankly, if you were rear ended then it's most likely not your fault and the other driver's insurance company will take care of it. All you need to do is call the shop and say "Hey... my car is not drivable... you need to send a tow truck (or flat bed) to pick up my car" and the other driver's insurance will cover it.

    Unless you're paying out out of pocket, or the other driver is paying out of pocket (and you really like them) then it's really not worth guessing at what the problem is and spending money that you don't have to on something that may or may not fix it.
     
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