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Weird Popping Sound

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Lily's Lover, Apr 10, 2014.

  1. Lily's Lover

    Lily's Lover New Member

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    Something strange happened in my dying 2005 prius today. I was sitting in my dying prius in a parking lot listening to a book on tape for a few minutes. I turned my dying prius off then turned it back on because it was revving itself, and when I turned my dying prius back on there was a very loud, but extremely powerful (I could feel the reverberations on the console) popping sound (almost a mix between a pop and a bang). Immediately I could smell strange plastic burning fumes, so I immediately rolled all of my windows down opened 2 of the doors and turned the car off. The smell dissipated within 10 minutes, and I heard no popping sound again when I turned my dying prius back on. So is this something very rare that no one has heard? Is my dying prius safe to continue driving? or was this simply because the death of my dying prius is very close to her death?
     
  2. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    Sounds like a traction battery module literally blew up due to overheating. You are risking substantial property damage and even risk to your health and life if the battery catches on fire.

    You need to immediately discontinue use of the car until you fix its problems.
     
  3. Lily's Lover

    Lily's Lover New Member

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  4. Lily's Lover

    Lily's Lover New Member

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    Oh great that's just great! I guess I will have to drive by exploding, burning, dying prius one more time just to get it (and me) home, all while risking my life and limb!
     
  5. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    Any towing services in your area?
     
  6. Lily's Lover

    Lily's Lover New Member

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    Plenty, I have 8 dollars to my name at the moment...
     
  7. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    Location:
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    2015 Prius
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    Two
    What warning lights appear on the dashboard; and what warning messages or icons appear on the MFD?

    I suggest that you remove the folding hatch floor and the black plastic tray over the spare tire, so that you can look at and smell the traction battery sheet metal enclosure. If you smell burning plastic there, and certainly if you see any scorch marks, then you will know that the traction battery is severely impaired and you'll have to decide whether you really want to take the risk of the car catching on fire.