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I got the red triangle, VSC, and check engine light yesterday.

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Jason Packel, Nov 23, 2021.

  1. Jason Packel

    Jason Packel Junior Member

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    Hi. I have a 2007 Prius with 151k on it. Does anyone have any recommendations about this? When these lights came on, a fan/blower next to the back seat on the passenger side started blowing. I don't know if codes show up, but I don't see any. My Toyota Dealer said it is $90 to get it diagnosed. Does anyone know if I might have to have major work done? Thanks all.
     
    #1 Jason Packel, Nov 23, 2021
    Last edited: Nov 23, 2021
  2. Jason Packel

    Jason Packel Junior Member

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    I forgot to mention it is a 2007 Prius. I didn't see any codes or anything. Thanks.
     
  3. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    From your description, it sounds like the HV battery has failed. That's the reason for the fan blowing by the back seat
     
  4. Jason Packel

    Jason Packel Junior Member

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    Thanks, man. It looks like a new HV battery will cost $3000. Unfortunately, I have to fix the brake actuator also. This does not look worth it. What are the chances that the battery might need to be just recharged or something? Thanks.
     
  5. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    If your car is original from 2007, the HV battery is perfectly normal during it's 14 years life span. It can be refurbished, but that's just a band aid.

    The Gen2 cars from 2004-2009 are reaching the end of their useful life, with both failures you are experiencing to be "normal", it's tough to spend $4000-$5000 for both repairs on such an old car
     
  6. L1zz@rd_gr1m@c3

    L1zz@rd_gr1m@c3 New Member

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    Replacing the HV battery can be accomplished in 4+ hour block of time. You can find companies, such as Greenbean, that will install it as well as provide a multi-year warranty. While the pump actuator can be expensive, both can be done under $2500 total - just do thorough research and accurstely gauge your willingness to learn and current skill level. In my opinion, anything can be fixed, it's totally worth it, and if it's not... where do you live and how much do you want for your car?

    Additionally, search "Prius hv battery chrisfix" on YouTube.
     
  7. Jason Packel

    Jason Packel Junior Member

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    I see what you are saying. I have only had this car for 7 months, and put 3,000 miles on it. What an expensive 7 months. Would you recommend selling it to someone and trying to get some money back? This is helpful, thanks.
     
  8. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    can you diy, or do you have to take it to a mech/dealer?

    once the battery and brakes are done, you're home free
     
  9. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    The problem now is you can't really buy another good car for $4000-$5000. Which makes the decision much harder to not fix the car and buy another.

    After spending $4000-$5000, you should have a somewhat reliable car (with normal wear parts to change out when needed)
     
  10. Jason Packel

    Jason Packel Junior Member

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    I have to have a mechanic/dealer do it. Do you think it makes sense to put more money into this car at 151k miles? How much do you think I might be able to get for the car as is? Would it make sense to sell it and then put in the $4,000 for another used Prius.
     
  11. Jason Packel

    Jason Packel Junior Member

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    It looks like Bisco said that also. If I put $5,000 into it, I might only get another 75k miles out of it. Do you think this is about average?
     
  12. Jason Packel

    Jason Packel Junior Member

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    thanks. I am in Orlando, pretty far from you. I checked out Greenbean and it looks like they are refurbished batteries. Someone said they are only good for like 30k miles. Do you know anything about this?
     
  13. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i would look around for used cars. maybe not prius specifically. that may help with your decision.

    another potential issue is the stolen cats. in florida, i think you can install a cheap aftermarket, and sell your oem for a grande or so.
     
  14. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

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    If you do the repairs you'll have the car so long your brain will force you to get another car or your peer pressure I know so that's just the end of that what are you going to get to replace this car for that kind of money A very good condition Yaris or something along those lines trying to stay in some form of realm of gas mileage Yaris ugly versa I don't even know man and then cars I would mention would be completely off the scale for most people because they're old All of my vehicles are old I wouldn't have it any other way I have a 13 and it gets no love for me That's a girl's car literally it is a girl's car My girlfriend's. The HD battery seriously an idiot with a 10 mm a 12 mm wrench and socket 1/4-in drive ratchet can unplug remove the battery in an hour and a half take off the front end of the battery that you're going to need to take off I have pictures go to the dealer pick up the new battery back in the sales bolt your front end to that put the wires on appropriately this is real easy stuff like h o trains and whatnot and then your battery is good how do you know your brake is bad because all the orange lights are on the dash but the car stops fine and the pedals like it's always been leave it until it takes two feet to step on the brakes then change that that might be a year

    SM-A715F ?
     
  15. Another

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    Here we go again.
    You can get a Toyota OEM battery which will probably last you longer than the car will but may cost a bit north of $2,000 installed. Or DIY for less.

    But … Instead of crappy recycled cell? GreenBean try looking at GreenTec batteries. They have a rebuilt battery with NEW cells for $1750 installed. With 48 month warranty.
    2004-2009 Toyota Prius Gen 2 Hybrid Battery, Unlimited Mileage Warranty | Greentec Auto

    they have a shop in Clearwater, Florida, a hop, skip and a jump away from Orlando
    Hybrid Battery Repair Shop in Tampa Florida | Greentec Auto
     
  16. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

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    I paid the green tec price for the new cell battery but bought from Toyoda for 1600 cash n carry trade in my old. I found a local dealer in North Carolina 19 mi away from me offering this deal so I drove up there and picked it up was sitting there in a big foam box huge with wheels on it I picked it up and put it in my didn't even let the Toyota dealer touch it I picked it up noticed the front end was missing off the battery sat there and took the front end off my battery in the parking lot with the parts guy watching he didn't care what I gave him back as long as there was something in that phone box I put the other piece on the new battery I did not stick it in the car at the dealer I just carried at home then I took my other battery green tech that was in the car took it out assembled the new battery with the ECU of mine and put it all back in the car and it's been just as boring as it's ever been since that I did get one code for the inverter pump which I thought I had replaced in this car but I had not I replaced it in the 04 so I got to $25 pump from God knows who put it on haven't seen the code since the pump is pumping the fluid temperature is good everyone is happy so I'm expecting another 20 years of pretty boring operation other than consumables brake pads tires the like

    SM-A715F ?
     
    Another likes this.
  17. Jason Packel

    Jason Packel Junior Member

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    Thanks, Another, this helps. Do you know how I could do this in Florida for $2,000? I can only find OEM batteries for $1,950. GreenTec looks interesting, if I could pay $1,750 and have it for 4 years, that might be a good deal. Thanks. Clearwater is close. I hope Naples is good. : )
     
  18. Jason Packel

    Jason Packel Junior Member

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    Thanks for the info Tombukt2.
     
  19. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

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    I had to buy the battery online pay for it online then select the dealer in my area to pick it up so go online where you are and enter in your address where you are in Florida and it should give you a few dealers to pick from I guess pick the one closest to you at home or work and then go from there if you do not go online then none of these prices apply it turns to $2,400 or something check it out

    SM-A715F ?