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MFD "PROBLEM" beep and red triangle

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by whodat, Aug 11, 2010.

  1. whodat

    whodat Member

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    My 06 Prius with 130k miles just starting to briefly (1-2 seconds) show "PROBLEM" on the MFD and beep and sometimes show a red triangle.

    This only happens when I am going down hill on a tight curve when going fast. This never happens going up hill (since I am generally going slower) nor on flat roads. Since this is my normal commute road and I have not changed the way I drive for several years, I am surprised that this is now occuring.

    Some possible theories:
    oil is low - I will check
    some level sensor is complaining?
    some tire rotation sensor is complaining?

    Thoughts?
     
  2. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    Low engine oil level is the most likely.
     
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  3. whodat

    whodat Member

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    Yes, you are correct. Engine oil was below the lower limit on the dip stick. I added 1.5 quarts to get near the top of the upper limit on the dip stick. Looks like I'm starting to burn some oil at 130k miles.
     
  4. uart

    uart Senior Member

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    1. How many miles have you done since the last oil change?

    2. Did you check the level on th dip-stick at the last change?
     
  5. whodat

    whodat Member

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    Yes, the dip stick oil level was checked at the last oil change. The level was near the low mark.
     
  6. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    I believe that the difference between the two dimples on the engine oil dipstick is 1.6 US quarts.

    If your practice is to add sufficient oil to reach the top dimple when you change oil, then it seems that your engine is consuming oil at the rate of at least 1.6 quarts over 8K miles, or 1 quart per 5K miles.
     
  7. jstack

    jstack New Member

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    My 05 did the red triange, kept making a high pitched beep and also put the car into netrual. At times it would repower and sometomes not. It also gave a screen warning of parking back button on and itermnittent while I drove. If I stoped and put the brake on and off it may clear for a 5 to 10 min period.

    Long story short, the system power up batteey was low again. I had just replaced it 2 weeks ago since it's an 05 with the original battery. Must be a charging problem in the DC-DC system ??

    You would think with all the displays and info it could warn, low aux battery. What a dumb system. Even an old car has a aux battery indicator, What up with Toyota anyway ?
     
  8. andyprius

    andyprius Senior Member

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    The cars display will tell you its static level as well as its charging level. It sounds like you have a serious drain somewhere. For procedure read 12V Aux Battery posts.
     
  9. andyprius

    andyprius Senior Member

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    No such system exist on any car battery system
     
  10. andyprius

    andyprius Senior Member

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    I notice that you have been thanked 33 times, so you are a pretty stable poster! My question is: Why did you initiate this thread?:D