need info

Do the symptoms you described happen immediately or after a few minutes? The problem you are describing could be a failed inverter pump, (a long shot, but possible) which you can check by turning the car on and looking in the inverter coolant tank for turbulence. Or, more likely, a failing traction battery (the big one in the trunk) which can be replaced by Toyota (over $4000.00), replaced with a battery from Reinvolt ($2,000 or less), rebuilt by you using replacement batteries (patience necessary, but relatively inexpensive). The third issue it could be is a failing Transaxle which contains two electric motors referred to as MG1 & MG2. If it is the transaxle, it could be replaced new (again around $4,000) or swapped out with one from a junked Prius (around $2,000 installed.)

Of course, there are other things that can cause it, but the above listed items are most likely where the problem is. I would recommend using a Prius Aware Scanner to get the codes stored in the computer as they will help determine the exact cause of the error. Going to a place like AutoZone may give you a generic code, but it will not be able to read the Prius Codes relating to battery charge, etc.

There are many people here that could help, but the codes are paramount to determine the problem!

 

Sounds like an hv battery problem to me but, you have to get the codes read like Eclipse said. You didn't get taken because you only paid 2500 for the car.

 

What is the best scanner to get without spending a ton of money and that's user-friendly? Where is the best place to buy it?

 

The most used scanner on PriusChat is the ScanGauge II. It can be purchased via the PriusChat Store.

 

Thanks. I hope I won't need it for a long, long time. I'm getting ready to put my battery pack back in after changing a couple of mods. Got my fingers crossed.

 

"Best" is a relative term. I would opt for the mini VCI on eBay if you want complete diagnostics for repair work, and it's cheap. The ScanGuage is more for continuous use in monitoring selected values while driving.

 

Thanks. Will it read all the factory codes or just the generic ones?

 

It will read all the codes. It is a pirated copy of what Toyota Technicians use.

 

Why aren't you posting those codes here? We are usually more accurate then the dealer.

Auto zone won't be able to read Hybrid Codes off this car. Need a higher level tool for that. Dealer uses Techstream software on laptop.
Easiest and fastest and most accurate method is take it to the dealer and spend $125 diagnostic fee and have all the codes pulled including the subset number and post them back here before buying anything. It may need an Inverter which sometimes appears as a bad battery.

Code will look like this for instance with a 3 digit subset:
P3000-123

But first while at dealer see if they'll print out the Vin based database on the car repair history at the dealer.
This database is Toyota.com/owners.

You'll probably see where some Toy dealer looked at it and it had many P3000 nags and the owner dumped it and traded it in. Then you know for sure if its the battery.

You can join that site for free but not sure if you will be able to see that car's original history yourself as your a new owner and not original member/owner of that vin. May have to use dealer admin for that.
The site is free to join.

Try it. Join and see what comes up on that vin.

 

Those codes are for failing HV battery. Blocks 4, 11,12 are weak. All consistent with your symptoms, and not surprising given the mileage. Your options are to replace with new (costly), rebuild and rebalance with replacement modules (cheap but takes time), get a rebuilt battery complete (more expensive than DIY), or find a salvage battery (rare now). Where are you located?

 

You are a ways from Plug In Hybrid Electric Vehicle PHEV in Indiana, but they could help. Then there is Dorman Hybrid Drive Batteries in North Carolina. Two options to consider.