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Red Triangle Advice for a newbie

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Jeff Mabry, Jul 31, 2017.

  1. Jeff Mabry

    Jeff Mabry New Member

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    Hey all, just bought my first Prius on Saturday (2008 Touring) and today the red triangle with the exclamation point popped up and I had a message on the MFD that said there was a problem with the transmission "P" lock mechanism. Told me to park and fully apply the parking break. Many of the forum posts lead me to believe I need to replace the 12v battery but to check the stats first (press power button once without the break, hold MFD info button and flash lights 3 times, ect) but the display is also not functioning properly so I cant get the proper readings. Should I just assume it's the battery and replace it?

    Many thanks,
    Jeff

    Oh, and has anyone ever just replaced the screen and not the whole unit? Would love to hear thoughts on that.
     
  2. priuscatprimeguy

    priuscatprimeguy Senior Member

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    wow! another post that has nothing to do with "Prime Care, Maintenance and troubleshooting" notice the word "Prime":rolleyes:
     
    bisco likes this.
  3. Jeff Mabry

    Jeff Mabry New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 31, 2017
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    Location:
    Indianapolis
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Hey all, just bought my first Prius on Saturday (2008 Touring) and today the red triangle with the exclamation point popped up and I had a message on the MFD that said there was a problem with the transmission "P" lock mechanism. Told me to park and fully apply the parking break. Many of the forum posts lead me to believe I need to replace the 12v battery but to check the stats first (press power button once without the break, hold MFD info button and flash lights 3 times, ect) but the display is also not functioning properly so I cant get the proper readings. Should I just assume it's the battery and replace it?

    Many thanks,
    Jeff

    Oh, and has anyone ever just replaced the screen and not the whole unit? Would love to hear thoughts on that.
     
  4. Jeff Mabry

    Jeff Mabry New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 31, 2017
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    Location:
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    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    want me to add another?
     
    Raytheeagle and priuscatprimeguy like this.
  5. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    welcome!

    you need to read the trouble codes. how many miles on her?

    you can click the report button, and ask the mods to move your thread to the appropriate forum.
     
    priuscatprimeguy likes this.
  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    have the trouble codes read.
     
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  7. Jeff Mabry

    Jeff Mabry New Member

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    thanks bisco. I have 149,500 on it. I will ask mods to delete this. I re-posted on the Gen 2
     
    priuscatprimeguy likes this.
  8. Jmack111

    Jmack111 Member

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  9. Jmack111

    Jmack111 Member

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    Jeff Mabry likes this.
  10. TMR-JWAP

    TMR-JWAP Senior Member

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    If you suspect a bad 12v, you can test it merely by connecting a 12v source (like a spare battery, jump pack or charger) to the jump terminal in the engine compartment. If things start working normally, then odds are good it's a problem with the 12v.
     
  11. Jmack111

    Jmack111 Member

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