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Red Triangle Warning Light

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Grant RS, Aug 26, 2017.

  1. Grant RS

    Grant RS New Member

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    Comes on extremely briefly then turns off (3 seconds or less). It started doing this about a week ago, and does it on occasion. I'm not sure what else happens. Everything seems to run the same / fine. Possibly the engine shuts off when it comes on. Then it kicks back on when needed.

    Any ideas?
     
    #1 Grant RS, Aug 26, 2017
  2. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    Is your battery State of Charge low when this happens?
     
    #2 JC91006, Aug 26, 2017
  3. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    Have you checked engine oil level?
     
    #3 Patrick Wong, Aug 27, 2017
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  4. dolj

    dolj Senior Member

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    Is this briefly coming on very early in the start up cycle?

    If it is, it is really the only warning that your 12 V battery is failing. Check the state of your 12 V battery
     
    #4 dolj, Aug 27, 2017
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  5. 05PreeUs

    05PreeUs Senior Member

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    Don't rule out zero engine oil pressure at engine start. If it's NOT on with the engine running, yup, 12v.
     
    #5 05PreeUs, Aug 27, 2017
  6. Grant RS

    Grant RS New Member

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    Thanks JC, Patrick, dolj, & 05. I really appreciate the direction. I'm going to check the oil then the 12volt tomorrow. I'll let you know what I find. Thanks again!
     
    #6 Grant RS, Aug 27, 2017
  7. Grant RS

    Grant RS New Member

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    Oil was almost at zero!

    I just spoke to my trusted mechanic who specializes in Toyota. He said Prius cars, once they get so old, often use oil like crazy due to the constant on and off of the gas engine. He said last week he had 4 Prius year 2007 owners that are his regulars call up with blown engines bc they were out of oil.

    Is this a common problem?
     
    #7 Grant RS, Aug 28, 2017
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  8. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    4 blown 2007 engines in a week? Man this mechanic lives in lala land
     
    #8 JC91006, Aug 28, 2017
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  9. 05PreeUs

    05PreeUs Senior Member

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    I see your location is Denver, the mile-high city....

    High engine speeds contribute to high oil consumption, especially on high mileage engines. Add to that, the high loads an engine would see climbing a grade and your experience is explainable, even without any excessive wear or internal damage. HOWEVER, the single biggest cause of excessive oil consumption is the PCV system and not worn engines. The 1NZ is particularly hearty and unlikely to "blow up" unless operated WITHOUT oil, that causes bearing failures, if even for a short time.

    Overheating is the single biggest killer of modern engines, bigger than extended oil changes. It only takes ONE, even mild overheating event to ruin the rings, which will lead to compression loss and oil consumption.

    Gen2 Prii are not known for having engine issues; however, at this time, most cars are on the second, if not third owners... LOTs of opportunity for errors.
     
    #9 05PreeUs, Aug 28, 2017
  10. Nousheen

    Nousheen New Member

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    I am also facing the same problem
    Red master warning light on
    I am unable to understand the Japanese laugage
     

    Attached Files:

    #10 Nousheen, Apr 6, 2019
  11. Catherineprius

    Catherineprius New Member

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    Is it the door open? I thought my red triangle cane on and got really nervous. Then when I got back in after going to the store, it was fine... today I took a video and saw that it’s a red pic but a YELLOW triangle, which is only on if a door is ajar
     
    #11 Catherineprius, Apr 18, 2021
  12. dolj

    dolj Senior Member

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    Hi and welcome to PriusChat.

    What happens in a Gen 4 2016 might well be very different from what is reported in this Gen 2 thread. You'd be best advised to post your questions in the Gen 4 forums to get accurate advice on your Gen 4.
     
    #12 dolj, Apr 19, 2021
  13. Tzabob99

    Tzabob99 New Member

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    This may sound weird but it just happened to me All lights on including red triangle. I took it in. Mechanic ran diagnostics and I was out of gas! Even though my gas gauge read half a tank. So please first thing, make sure you have gas in tank
     
    #13 Tzabob99, Jul 13, 2021
    Last edited by a moderator: Jul 14, 2021
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  14. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    ah, the infamous gen2 guess o' gauge :p
     
    #14 bisco, Jul 13, 2021
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