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2003 Prius - a Gift, now dead...

Discussion in 'Newbie Forum' started by ShelbyLee, Sep 5, 2016.

  1. ShelbyLee

    ShelbyLee New Member

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    Hello all, 1st time here...overwhelming! Loooong story hopefully short...first time Prius (and hybrid) owner - friend borrowed and was a complete idiot, after some apparent off-roading, intense impact underneath from barreling over rocks, trees, etc, 2003 Prius then became stuck in deep mud and water for about 7 hours. It was at this point, after being pulled out, that error indicators began sounding and flashing, car became louder and made all kinds of noises and began shaking, gas mileage decreased, smell of melting plastic when running, check engine light on, etc., etc.....master warning indicators....car parked!!
    Knowing absolutely nothing about a hybridl and/or what runs where, any quick thoughts on what kind of damage this may have caused? Specifically, with what I quickly described, could this damage the master hybrid battery? Most opinions I'm getting, without yet being able to afford to get to shop, are "don't bother".....
     
    #1 ShelbyLee, Sep 5, 2016
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    welcome! that is an amazing story. still friends? yes, most likely not worth repairing. depending on the size of the rocks and trees, and how high the water rose, might be nothing left except the air cleaner.
     
    #2 bisco, Sep 5, 2016
  3. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    That is an amazing story, and I was just adding to another thread about the Toyota TSB for evaluating flood damage; see here.

    Right up front, be sure to follow the safing procedures, get the water out, the batteries disconnected (12V first), and make sure you are not storing the vehicle in an attached garage; ideally, find a safe place not near any structure.

    Depending on how deep the water was, you might get some money out of it by parting out the inverter, the radio/mfd, the dome light, headliner, ....

    -Chap
     
    #3 ChapmanF, Sep 5, 2016
  4. ILuvMyPriusToo

    ILuvMyPriusToo Senior Member

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    I never heard of off-roading in a Gen I . . .
     
    #4 ILuvMyPriusToo, Sep 5, 2016
  5. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    or a 2,3 or 4.(n)
     
    #5 bisco, Sep 5, 2016
  6. fotomoto

    fotomoto Senior Member

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    First thing to do is get the trouble codes.
     
    #6 fotomoto, Sep 5, 2016
  7. ShelbyLee

    ShelbyLee New Member

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    Right, who would??!!
     
    #7 ShelbyLee, Sep 5, 2016
  8. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    The only antidote to the gloom and despair in this thread would be to hear the rest of the story...
     
    #8 ChapmanF, Sep 5, 2016
  9. ILuvMyPriusToo

    ILuvMyPriusToo Senior Member

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    Or see the video (y)
     
    #9 ILuvMyPriusToo, Sep 5, 2016
  10. frickz

    frickz New Member

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    #10 frickz, Sep 6, 2016
  11. ShelbyLee

    ShelbyLee New Member

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    I appreciates the replies. No, not in my top list of friends anymore, though trying to get him to take responsibility. Since I'm hearing it's most likely hybrid battery he's trying to say undercarriage damage isn't related.....though I hear different about hybrids. I don't exactly like feeling so ignorant on the subject.....thx all!




    QUOTE="bisco, post: 2414812, member: 5889"]welcome! that is an amazing story. still friends? yes, most likely not worth repairing. depending on the size of the rocks and trees, and how high the water rose, might be nothing left except the air cleaner.[/QUOTE]
     
    #11 ShelbyLee, Sep 6, 2016
  12. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    exactly.
     
    #12 bisco, Sep 6, 2016
  13. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    Umm, where are you hearing that? Didn't you say the car ended up sitting in water? There's a lot more wrong with it than the hybrid battery now. (In fact, the battery might be one thing that survived, it's pretty high in the car.)

    If you don't want to do a lot of disassembly, inspection, replacement and repair, then the short answer is car sounds like history at this point.

    If you're willing to do a lot of disassembly, inspection, replacement and repair, then you can start with the T-SB-0229-12 flood response guidelines on techinfo, clear your calendar, and dig in ... but you have to be aware you're putting the effort into a car that's very likely still history at the end of the day.

    Hate to be the bearer of gloom. But also wouldn't want to think of you throwing too much money and effort into a losing battle.

    -Chap
     
    #13 ChapmanF, Sep 6, 2016
  14. ShelbyLee

    ShelbyLee New Member

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    Thank you.
     
    #14 ShelbyLee, Sep 7, 2016
  15. JDenyer232

    JDenyer232 Member

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    Sorry to hear of your troubles, friend or not they need to pay for the damage, they borrowed it, abused it, broke it and left you without a car. I would not be a happy camper. Hopefully it gets sorted out for you.
     
    #15 JDenyer232, Sep 10, 2016
    Mendel Leisk likes this.
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