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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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    I got them to pay for the towing to the dealership so, if in fact they did mess it up, I'll be going back to them, absolutely
     
  2. DreSledge

    DreSledge New Member

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    Odd update: Toyota said the 12v is dead but they did a fuel test and found diesel in the tank. The last time I filled my tank was about 85miles before I last parked it. Thoughts: assuming I made that big mistake that I haven't made ever in 20 years of driving, and the diesel nozzle did in fact fit in the tank hole, and I did fill the tank with diesel fuel, what are the odds that I wouldn't have noticed the smell or have even been able to drive it 85 miles home after that?
     
  3. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    12.2 volts is low, but not dead. Shouldn't be the cause of the no start.

    Diesel is weird
     
  4. DonDNH

    DonDNH Senior Member

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    It is possible that the tank in the ground had diesel supplying the regular gas pump you used. Sometime the delivery guy screws up; especially when he's not the regular driver.
     
  5. DreSledge

    DreSledge New Member

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    That is my initial thought but, the tank was filled last Sunday night. Was a credit card purchase, but what can be done about accountability now? Toyota is charging over $1200 for the drain job.
     
  6. DonDNH

    DonDNH Senior Member

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    Definitely notify the station owner/manager. If the tank in the ground was contaminated with diesel, you won't be the only one with a complaint. You might be able to recover the $1200 you're paying to flush the fuel system. Ask Toyota to save a sample of what they drain to prove that you got bad gas.

    Good luck.
     
  7. DreSledge

    DreSledge New Member

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    Is there any way to prove the gas was contaminated from the ground even 5 days later? I'm on the phone with Toyota but not even sure about what my next step should be. Thanks for the advice!
     
  8. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    This is just too weird. Doesn't make any sense. You drove too long with that gas to have a problem now

    Maybe someone added diesel in there to cover up something
     
  9. DonDNH

    DonDNH Senior Member

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    Diesel has a distinctive odor and there is a color agent that will be obvious. Save your receipt showing your purchase. These should be sufficient to prove you bought gas at the station and whether it is contaminated. If the station won't talk, contact their distributor, the BBB or your local news station to get some advocacy for your position. You also could speak to a lawyer to represent you.
     
  10. DreSledge

    DreSledge New Member

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    aftwr driving 85+mi with a full tank of "diesel", the car gave me no problems. The next afternoon, upon turning on the car, all of the lights came on and I left it parked until the next day when I drove it back to Firestone where I had the oil changed the week prior.

    Upon arriving to Firestone, the car turned off on me and I cruised into the parking lot. It then turned back on enough for me to get to the maintenance screen and 12v readings but never turned back off in park. Firestone then called me and told me they could'nt get the car back on after getting it in the garage and they tried to charge the battery but it didn't work.

    I got them to cover towing to Toyota since they couldn't start the car but it was a fight. I'm not sure what happened while I left it at Firestone and after it got to Toyota but it seems unlikely I drove over 85 miles with a full tank of diesel and no problems. It's just that the car started with the warning lights and shutting off the next time I turned it on... Not sure what to think.
     
  11. DreSledge

    DreSledge New Member

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    Unfortunately, it all sounds like more trouble. The station is over an hour away from my home, I was returning from a road trip, so I won't be able to go check-in on my own. I definitely can't afford a lawyer after this bill
     
  12. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    Maybe the dealer is not competent. I don't see your 12v being dead
     
  13. DreSledge

    DreSledge New Member

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    The screen was showing the 12v w/ 0 bars and occasionally one purple bar but when I went into maintenance mode, it showed 12.2/3 v at rest position. I made the mistake of not checking in drive position but the battery being dead was my first suspicion about the warning lights coming on.
     
  14. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    The soc meter with the bars, that's the hv battery charge level.

    The 12.2v is your small 12v battery charge level with a small load. At rest, it probably is at 12.4v or 12.5v. This should not be dead

    They are not the same.
     
  15. DreSledge

    DreSledge New Member

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    Gotcha. Dealer said 12v was totally dead but hybrid battery was fine... Weird.
     
  16. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    If the 12v is dead, that would explain the no start. However firestone charged it up before getting it towed.

    so if the no start is a diesel problem, then why 12v dead?

    It's not making sense with the 2 problems. They are not even related
     
  17. DreSledge

    DreSledge New Member

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    Firestone said they tried to get it started by charging the battery but it did not work
     
  18. dolj

    dolj Senior Member

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    What about some malicious random who thought it would be funny to add a gallon of diesel to a Prius????
     
    Tbkilb01 likes this.
  19. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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  20. DreSledge

    DreSledge New Member

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    Toyota hit me with a $1979 bill. Dropped/drained tank, lines & throttle body, ran a cleaner through it and filled it w fuel- fuel sample showed diesel fuel 100% for sure. Replaced the 12v and a gasket from the oil change Firestone couldn't get right. Got her back today, runs like new.