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Red Triangle + Check Engine + Yellow Indicator + Hybrid System Warning

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by evadenyaw, Aug 28, 2011.

  1. evadenyaw

    evadenyaw New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 15, 2010
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    Location:
    Santa Fe, NM
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Started the Prius (at 6 PM on a Saturday as luck would have it) and after driving about 500 feet down the road, the instrument panel beeped loudly & the following lights came on:

    1 - BRT
    2 - Check Engine
    3 - 'the yellow indicator' (this is what it's called in the manual - basically an exclamation point in a circle)
    4 - Hybrid System Warning light

    ...so i turned around & went right back home, the evening's plans ruined for the time being.

    note that the following lights did NOT come on: VSC, ABS

    Performed the diagnostic described in this forum to see if the 12V battery is the culprit... got the following results:

    Vehicle Signal Check:
    battery voltage at rest = 12.2V (should be 12.4 to 12.8V)
    under a load = 11.8 to 11.9V (too low - should be >12)
    in READY mode: 14.1V (ok!)

    The car is drive-able & starts OK (though it accelerates very sluggishly). I am guessing i need a new 12V battery, or could there be another cause? Is the 3 mile drive to the dealer safe? I think i had the inverter water pump replaced a while back (cannot confirm as Toyota Owners page keeps crashing before I can get to my service records). I do not get the VSC or ABS warning lights like most everyone else does. The AC also seems to be OK...

    any info appreciated! Thanks in advance...
    Dave in Santa Fe, NM
     
    #1 evadenyaw, Aug 28, 2011
  2. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    Vehicle:
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    1. I would agree that your 12V battery needs to be replaced. However that may not be the cause of the warning lights.

    2. When the Prius is READY, check the inverter coolant reservoir to see whether you can detect fluid turbulence. This shows that the inverter coolant pump is running.

    3. Take a drive around your neighborhood. If you do not notice driveability issues, then you should be able to drive the 3 miles to the dealer. However, the ((!)) warning light is telling you the brake system is impaired, so drive at moderate speed and provide plenty of room to stop.
     
    #2 Patrick Wong, Aug 28, 2011
    2 people like this.
  3. evadenyaw

    evadenyaw New Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
    Santa Fe, NM
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Thanks Patrick! I really appreciate your input!! Several developments since I posted:
    1) brake system warning light [((!))] went out after my drive to the dealership
    2) forgot to mention that the cruise control would not activate... but did activate after the drive to the dealership.
    3) AC works fine.
    4) finally got ahold of my service records & I did heed the inverter pump recall - it was replaced last January.

    dw
     
    #3 evadenyaw, Aug 29, 2011
  4. evadenyaw

    evadenyaw New Member

    Joined:
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    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
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    N/A
    gaah - the dealer now tells me the main hybrid system battery is failing... $3800 for a new one, $1900 for a used one with a warranty...
     
    #4 evadenyaw, Aug 29, 2011
  5. reverai

    reverai New Member

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    Location:
    Alexandria, VA
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
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    I guess your Prius has over 100,000 miles as the battery is warranted for 8 years or 100,000 miles in most states.
     
    #5 reverai, Aug 29, 2011
  6. evadenyaw

    evadenyaw New Member

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    2005 Prius
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    yep! >150K miles on it.
     
    #6 evadenyaw, Aug 29, 2011
  7. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    #7 Patrick Wong, Aug 29, 2011
    1 person likes this.
  8. evadenyaw

    evadenyaw New Member

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    N/A
    ...i take it that this is a 'caveat emptor' type warning? While I do appreciate it, I don't feel like I have a choice. I cannot afford to buy another car & I cannot afford $4k (i'd buy a different car if i had that sort of money available). They did mention that the battery would take 3 days to ship, so i guess i have a little time to think about it.

    The dealer here (Beaver Toyota in Santa Fe, NM) also said there'd be a warranty on the used battery...
     
    #8 evadenyaw, Aug 29, 2011
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