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Red triangle, VSC, check engine lights on- not inverter pump!

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Technical Discussion' started by DreSledge, Sep 21, 2016.

  1. DreSledge

    DreSledge New Member

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    image.jpeg Hello folx!

    Reaching out after getting an oil change done @ Firestone. The next day, I felt the car shake slightly at a red light. It happened twice before the check engine light came on.

    The next day, the red triangle, yellow brake warning light, check engine, vsc lights and the red car at the top of the display screen were all on. After attempting to drive it back to Firestone, it turned off mid-drive as I was pulling into the mechanic. It is currently there now.

    I have checked and seen that it is not a problem with the inverter pump- the coolant is vibrating when I unscrew the cap and hose is vibrating to the touch. My battery reads at 0 when I check the info, it shows either one purple line or no lines and it reads as empty when car is on. When I went into maintenance mode, I was getting a 12.2v read while car was not in ready, just in acc or rest. Could this be a simple issue of recharging the battery? If so, could it be done via jump or should it be done another way?

    Battery is at least 3yrs old, car is 2004 w/ 152k miles on it. Hybrid battery replaces in April of this year.

    Thanks for all the help!
     

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  2. fotomoto

    fotomoto Senior Member

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    Replaced with what? New or remanufactured?

    You need to get the diagnostic codes read. Those will tell you where you stand.
     
  3. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    Maybe they overfilled the oil
     
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  4. DreSledge

    DreSledge New Member

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    New from the dealership. Firestone just called and said they can't get the car started and they checked the battery and it's fine. They are checking the codes now. I will update.
     
  5. DreSledge

    DreSledge New Member

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    Firestone says they can't get the car started but they checked the batteries and they were all fine. Funny thing is, the info was telling me the battery was drained and it was showing 12.2v at rest so, I know it's low. Now they're saying they can't get the car started at all and are towing it to the Toyota dealership today. I am almost certain it's a simple 12v battwry replacement. Thoughts?
     
  6. fotomoto

    fotomoto Senior Member

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    Previously you said the HV battery was at zero bars and now the ICE won't start. Sounds to me the HV is completely drained and will need the special Toyota charger to bring it back to life. It's my understanding that most dealers don't have these and will have to special order it.
     
  7. DreSledge

    DreSledge New Member

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    I'm inclined to agree that the 12v is drained. Would it need a charger or am I best to purchase a new 12v all together?
     
  8. fotomoto

    fotomoto Senior Member

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    At 3yrs old, it's on the cusp of starting the end of life phase but typically the further north you are the longer lead acid batteries last so it may still be fine and just need a charge. A load test will tell you if it's a gone'r.
     
  9. DreSledge

    DreSledge New Member

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    Firestone is so incompetent. They said they did not perform a load test and are now just getting the car towed to Toyota. Hopefully, they can help me a little more. I'm fairly certain it's the battery, I just want to know if I can charge it or if I need a new one completely. I'll keep you posted on what Toyota says. Thanks!
     
  10. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    I can't remember anything but problems with Firestone service. I still say the oil is overfilled
     
  11. DreSledge

    DreSledge New Member

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    Well, it's on it's way to Toyota now so, hopefully, someone competent will find out what's up. Feels like an easy fix to me, I hope. Should've known to leave Firestone when I asked if they knew hybrid cars and one guy still suggested the alternator was causing a battery drain. (-__-)
     
  12. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    12.2 volts is plenty to start the car. It's not battery related. You should still charge that up though
     
  13. DreSledge

    DreSledge New Member

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    Hmm... Hoping Toyota will let me know what's really going on. I was hoping it would be somethin simple like the pump or battery. Shucks
     
  14. dolj

    dolj Senior Member

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    Or the oil was overfilled, like JC said.
     
  15. DreSledge

    DreSledge New Member

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    I'll take that as an option, too... No word from Toyota tonight.
     
  16. dolj

    dolj Senior Member

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    Which in turn stopped the ICE and you limped to Firestone on electric which drained the HV traction battery (NOT the 12 V battery).

    Toyota will now need to externally charge the HV traction battery and clear the reluctant code to get the car going again.

    Who's paying for fixing it?
     
  17. DreSledge

    DreSledge New Member

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    No good. Would be me... What's my damage?
     
  18. dolj

    dolj Senior Member

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    Hopefully just a charge up and you're good to go.
     
  19. DreSledge

    DreSledge New Member

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    Fingers crossed
     
  20. dolj

    dolj Senior Member

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    And why would you pay, when Firestone's (if it turns out they overfilled the oil) ineptitude caused the problem?