1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

2005 Prius Virgin

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by Ruby2005, Jul 10, 2022.

Tags:
  1. Ruby2005

    Ruby2005 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 9, 2022
    17
    10
    0
    Location:
    Florida
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    ----USA----
    Hey, y'all.
    I'm completely new to having a Prius. I've always had a Corolla up until now. Now I have a 2005 Prius with about 51,000 miles on it, but it's having problems.

    I only drive it about 15 minutes twice a day, about 5 days a week on average since I live close to work. I also live in Florida and play my stereo each time I go out.

    Unfortunately now, I've lately been having the problems of:

    1) The intermittent squeaking of some kind of pump that happens when I start it up, or am stopped for more than a couple of minutes. Inverter coolant pump(?)

    **2) THIS ONE REALLY WORRIES ME

    My car has started randomly flashing the Master Warning Light ⚠️ at short intervals. It happens when I slow down and stop, or when I take my foot off the gas and let it glide.

    Tonight when driving home, it:
    -Flashed, no error code
    -Flashed, and the console pit up the oil icon
    -Flashed and the center console screen showed "PROBLEM".

    Does anyone have any idea what I should do, or what's the problem?? I'm super-anxious about this, as I just started working after moving back from overseas and don't have much savings.

    Also, I've been reading about needing to CHARGE your battery or something? What's that entail??

    Thanks, everyone!
     
  2. dolj

    dolj Senior Member

    Joined:
    May 14, 2012
    7,447
    3,750
    0
    Location:
    Wellington, New Zealand
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Have you checked the oil level? If not, do NOT drive the car until you do. If you do not see oil between the L and F dimples on the dipstick add at least 1.5 qts of 5W-30 oil and then recheck. For your information, the amount of oil to take the level from the L mark to the F mark is just shy of 1.6 qts.
     
    Ruby2005 likes this.
  3. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 29, 2020
    7,787
    1,348
    0
    Location:
    Durham NC
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    Base
    Sounds like you've inherited a Prius it's been a lot of time sitting giving its 2005 and 51,000 mi your battery is 20 years old that's in that car so that will become a thing very quickly and of course you need to have oil and any internal combustion engine that's the life blood of the system and if you don't have a Christmas tree lit up dash you're in pretty good shape generally speaking I would make sure I get my oil checked and see what you've got there charging batteries I wouldn't worry about that you want to make sure the 12 volt and the right rear of your trunk under the plastic cover is actually showing about 12 volts like in any other car or lawn mower or tractor the 12 volt system
     
    Ruby2005 likes this.
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,571
    48,861
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    welcome ruby!

    do you know how to check the oil level?
     
    Ruby2005 likes this.
  5. Ruby2005

    Ruby2005 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 9, 2022
    17
    10
    0
    Location:
    Florida
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    ----USA----
    I'm going out to check it now.
    I just had it changed about 2 months ago.
     
    bisco likes this.
  6. Ruby2005

    Ruby2005 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 9, 2022
    17
    10
    0
    Location:
    Florida
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    ----USA----
    So, I've just checked the oil level. It looks like it barely even shows up on the dipstick as it's so light. I think that it *might* be full, as I tried it multiple times. First, with the car off, and then after letting warm up for a little bit.
    I got the oil changed back in May. And it's a kinda light yellowish-green. Like when you first get sick, the color of that snot. :(
     
    bisco likes this.
  7. fotomoto

    fotomoto Senior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 22, 2009
    5,596
    3,770
    0
    Location:
    So. Texas
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    CHECK YOUR OIL. Religiously.

    Noise is probably the brake pump. Leaking ones run more often and will eventually fail/code leaving you with no power brakes.

    What is the state of the HV battery? Original?

    Old cars especially hybrids need a repair fund.

    GOOD LUCK!
     
    Ruby2005 likes this.
  8. Ruby2005

    Ruby2005 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 9, 2022
    17
    10
    0
    Location:
    Florida
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    ----USA----
    Checked my oil and it's so clear that it's really hard to see. (Got it changed in May.)

    The HV battery has been replaced once I think? Apparently the old owner just let it sit there and it died so they had to replace it a while ago.

    Thanks
     
  9. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2008
    7,470
    4,372
    7
    Location:
    Texas Hill Country
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Three
    That Corolla was always good to you but you dumped him for a fancy suit of clothes dressed up as a Prius. Without question the most complex car ever made. I would start dating a 2016 before you go all the way.

    As others have said you could be nearly out of oil. A very simple $25 bottle of oil could save the engine. Once that engine starts burning oil behind your back, you have to watch him like a hawk. The brake booster is likely to be the noise and is expensive as well.

    But you really don't know by looking at the lights. Having Toyota look it over for problems is the way to go at this point. Just don't freak out at their repair prices. There are ways to fix these complicated problems for less. Check back with your list of defined problems.
     
    #9 rjparker, Jul 10, 2022
    Last edited: Jul 10, 2022
  10. Ruby2005

    Ruby2005 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 9, 2022
    17
    10
    0
    Location:
    Florida
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    ----USA----
    I actually was not the one who bought the car. I relocated from Japan, and my parents were the ones who thought that Prius was a good idea and bought it without consulting with me first. I told them to get me a Corolla, unfortunately.
    And as I'm down to $1400 in total savings, I'm fucked at this point. :(
     
    bisco likes this.
  11. mr_guy_mann

    mr_guy_mann Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 3, 2020
    3,203
    1,337
    0
    Location:
    NJ-USA
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    As others have mentioned- please check and top up the engine oil level as needed. That warning could be that the engine has low/no oil pressure because it doesn't have enough oil.

    The squeaking noise- do you only hear when you first turn the car to "ready" and after you turn it off? This could be a noisy coolant pump for the "heat storage tank" - a minor emissions device which can be ignored for quite some time.

    Or do you hear it from time to time (especially if you press the brake pedal several times)? That could be a noisy brake "booster" pump that is critical to safe brake operation- and can't be ignored very long.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    Ruby2005 likes this.
  12. Ruby2005

    Ruby2005 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 9, 2022
    17
    10
    0
    Location:
    Florida
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    ----USA----
    I took it to a friend's house to find that it was BONE DRY and leaking oil. He tightened the loose oil cap, and we filled it with more oil. Now to just check it tomorrow to see if that problem's solved.

    As for the squeaking/chirping, it will usually only happen when:

    -After starting up when my foot is on the brake.
    -When I'm stopped at a light or in the drive-thru with my foot on the brake.

    But each time, it's only a couple of seconds of chirping and random.
    I haven't tried pumping the brake, but I have tried revving it a little with my foot on the brake and it doesn't chirp then.
     
    #12 Ruby2005, Jul 11, 2022
    Last edited by a moderator: Jul 11, 2022
    bisco likes this.
  13. dolj

    dolj Senior Member

    Joined:
    May 14, 2012
    7,447
    3,750
    0
    Location:
    Wellington, New Zealand
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    When you say, "loose oil cap", do you mean the drain plug? Or do you really mean the cap where you put the oil in? Because if it is the latter, I don't think that explains the oil level being low. It will pay to keep an eye on it.
     
    #13 dolj, Jul 11, 2022
    Last edited: Jul 11, 2022
  14. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2008
    7,470
    4,372
    7
    Location:
    Texas Hill Country
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Three
    Most likely it is an oil burner given you just changed the oil two months ago. You need to check in a week. A day is not long enough. Even if it looks good in a week check weekly from now on.

    I would buy the big 5 qt oil bottles (~$25) at Walmart and fill it to the line once a week. If you really like the car, save up for a replacement engine in a year or two. Shop around for a decent price installed for $3k-$5k.

    The brake noise is consistent with the brake booster. It is an elaborate, hybrid specific brake by wire system that incorporates the master cylinder, abs system, power brakes and regen coordination. You can drive it until it gives major warnings that don't go away. It seems your lights so far were a lack of oil pressure caused by dangerously low oil.

    Given the gas prices, you might be able to flip the Prius for a good price (or at least what you paid for it) and get a Corolla. If you buy another Prius in the future it needs to be a 2016 or newer model. Exclude the 2012-17 Prius v wagons (mini suv) as well.
     
    #14 rjparker, Jul 11, 2022
    Last edited: Jul 11, 2022
    ammdb likes this.
  15. alftoy

    alftoy Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 16, 2009
    1,130
    505
    0
    Location:
    Saskatchewan, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    Base
    If you are concerned about your Prius being a money pit, take it over to TampaHybrids.com. They can buy the Prius or at least give a diagnosis of existing or future problems.

    Priuschat member @jerrymildred works for Tampahybrids and can give you some thoughts.
     
    #15 alftoy, Jul 11, 2022
    Last edited: Jul 11, 2022
    fotomoto likes this.
  16. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 30, 2008
    23,064
    14,969
    0
    Location:
    Indiana, USA
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    If you mean there's a need for someone to question that claim, I'll step up.
     
    Another likes this.
  17. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,571
    48,861
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    if it is not the buzzing sound you hear when opening the driver door, it is the brake actuator, but it may be fine and last a long, long time.
    sometimes even a brake fluid change will help
     
    Data Daedalus likes this.