CEL, Red Triangle & Limp Mode. Pulling logs?

There are several OBD options available today. If you have a laptop then you can purchase the mini-VCI software and cable for less than $50. This is the same as the Toyota Techstream used at the dealers except it is a knockoff version. You will need to set up your laptop correctly to work with the software. This will not require any special configuration before being able to read the diagnostic code data.

If you have an Android phone then there is a Torque app available and you will need an OBD-Bluetooth device to communicate. If you have an iPhone or iPad then there is an Engine Link app and you will need an OBD-WiFi device to communicate.

Then there is ScanGaugeII for about $125 that connects directly to the OBD port.

The Torque, Engine Link and SGII systems will require configuration on your part before being able to read Prius specific diagnostic code data. There are threads on here that you can read on all of the above options.

 

By far the best tool for working on the Prius "or any Toyota" is the Mini VCI with Techstream. "About $25 from Amazon or Ebay" This will require the use of preferably a Windows XP lap top. This will give you dealer level diagnostics and service capability.
There are other systems using an ELM327 device with an android pad or phone, but these in my opinion are more suited to dashboard monitoring and do not give the service capability.

John (Britprius)

 

I agree with the Mini VCI recommendation, with the exception that the Toyota driver software provided is reported to contain a Trojan by some antivirus SW. My suggestion is that you run this on a Windows XP or Windows 7, 32 bit OS laptop dedicated solely to that purpose and not, for example, used for personal banking, email, etc.

 

Yes the VCI will pull historic logs. As said earlier it does everything the dealer equipment will do.

John (Britprius)

 

I don't know what you mean by "historic logs".

The Mini VCI will report the DTC logged by the various ECUs and will display numerous parameters tracked by each ECU. It also allows you to perform various tests and procedures as described in the Toyota repair manual which require Techstream to control.

 

Below is one page of two the VCI reading from the HV battery.

John (Britprius)

 

Checking for turbulence in the inverter coolant tank would be a good place to start.

John (Britprius)

 

Since the CEL is on and the problem is going into limp mode, my guess is that the throttle body motor is binding up. You could look at the throttle body interior and throttle plate, and if you see lots of black gunk within, clean it up.

Obviously if you retrieved the DTC logged by the engine ECU, there would be no need to guess.