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My 2004 Prius Just Died

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by hbark, Feb 12, 2009.

  1. hbark

    hbark Junior Member

    Joined:
    May 9, 2004
    56
    3
    0
    Location:
    Bucks County, PA
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Went out on what was supposed to be a quick errand at lunch. On the way back, lights started coming on, gas engine wasn't coming on (tank was 3/4 full), finally wouldn't go at all and I coasted to a stop (luckily in a safe place).

    Got towed to the dealer, waiting there now. We had bought an extended warranty which is still in effect so hopefully whatever it is will be covered.

    Here's a description of the lights that came on in case anyone knows anything about this:

    On the instrument cluster above the dash - the triangle with the exclamation point in it, the picture of something that I guess is an engine with "CHECK" under it, and a circle with things that look like parenthesis around it, with an exclamation point in it too. On the LCD display where the Nav etc. is, on the upper left a picture of a car battery with the word MAIN in it.

    I got it 5 years ago next month, has around 78K miles on it.

    Sigh.... :(
     
    #1 hbark, Feb 12, 2009
  2. firepa63

    firepa63 Former Prius Owner

    Joined:
    Jul 23, 2005
    1,761
    208
    0
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Do you still have the original 12V battery in the car? If so, it probably needs replacement. A weak 12V can cause many strange things to happen with the warning lights.
     
    #2 firepa63, Feb 12, 2009
  3. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

    Joined:
    Mar 8, 2008
    18,200
    6,474
    0
    Location:
    Green Valley, AZ
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Please keep us updated on your car's status, seeing the MAIN battery warning icon is quite unusual.

    Did you have the engine and hybrid vehicle ECU firmware updated when the SSCs (recall notices) came out back in 2005-2006? If yes, then my guess is that you are one of the few 2G owners with a bad traction battery (not the 12V battery).
     
    #3 Patrick Wong, Feb 12, 2009
  4. jtlytle

    jtlytle Caution: Prius owner

    Joined:
    Dec 21, 2008
    89
    0
    0
    Location:
    Florida
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    I have a 2004 Prius and I would like you to update the status so I can learn something from you!
     
    #4 jtlytle, Feb 16, 2009
  5. cephas

    cephas Junior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 17, 2008
    50
    1
    0
    Location:
    Prius
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    any update?
     
    #5 cephas, Feb 22, 2009
  6. hobbit

    hobbit Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 23, 2005
    4,089
    468
    0
    Location:
    Bahstahn
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    The "main" battery icon probably came on after you ran it way
    kdown by continuing to go after the engine hadn't started to
    help push the car. The original symptom is probably the perennial
    throttle-body problem but nobody can be sure until you get the
    codes pulled and some testing done. Warmer weather may fix
    everything up temporarily [if applicable, don't know where you
    are] but it sounds like some basic maintenance is in order.
    .
    _H*
     
    #6 hobbit, Feb 22, 2009
  7. gail1946

    gail1946 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 22, 2009
    6
    0
    0
    Location:
    wa
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Just happened to me. The same thing you described when your car died...but I was test driving a 2007 from a dealer (not a Toyota one). Did you ever get a resolution to your problem? What was it? Thanks
     
    #7 gail1946, Feb 22, 2009
  8. halpos4

    halpos4 "Taxi"!

    Joined:
    Aug 13, 2008
    377
    24
    5
    Location:
    Ireland
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Original post 11 days ago,I hate when people post a problem and then don't give updates even just to say it's still at the dealer or whatever,
    PLEASE REPLY!!!:mad:
     
    #8 halpos4, Feb 23, 2009
  9. jtlytle

    jtlytle Caution: Prius owner

    Joined:
    Dec 21, 2008
    89
    0
    0
    Location:
    Florida
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    <tap> <tap> Still waiting...
     
    #9 jtlytle, Feb 27, 2009
  10. halpos4

    halpos4 "Taxi"!

    Joined:
    Aug 13, 2008
    377
    24
    5
    Location:
    Ireland
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    I hope you're not holding your breath or it won't be just that 2004 Prius that just died and you'll be unable to give us an update on your health:D
     
    #10 halpos4, Feb 27, 2009
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