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Triangle of death fixed...guess how

Discussion in 'Generation 1 Prius Discussion' started by Johnmo, Sep 26, 2012.

  1. Johnmo

    Johnmo Junior Member

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    so at about 147k miles, triangle comes on. It's the icon on the right with the car and exclam! mark through it. Turned off radio. listened to car and I could swear that it was running differently, but it might be in my head (I was kind of freaking). drove to my Prius guy in the I.E. (20 miles) car seemed to act OK. Was using elec engine when needed and gas engine was fine. Was a bit shocked by how good the car was running but I was sure something sinister was happening and at any minute the car would melt.

    After 1.5 hours and a 20 mile test drive, my Prius guy comes out and says...

    Any guesses?
     
    #1 Johnmo, Sep 26, 2012
  2. Johnmo

    Johnmo Junior Member

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    also, I did not have time to go home to get my code reader so I can provide no codes
     
    #2 Johnmo, Sep 26, 2012
  3. usnavystgc

    usnavystgc Die Hard DIYer and Ebike enthusiast.

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    Inverter coolant pump?
     
    #3 usnavystgc, Sep 26, 2012
  4. Johnmo

    Johnmo Junior Member

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    Answer below, highlight spoiler
    Loose Battery cable to the 12V, cost to fix, Zero dollars. Lucky me, I was already counting out $ for a new battery
     
    #4 Johnmo, Sep 26, 2012
    Gen1guy likes this.
  5. Eclipse1701d

    Eclipse1701d Prius Enthusiast

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    Maybe the 12 Volt is low?
     
    #5 Eclipse1701d, Sep 26, 2012
  6. usnavystgc

    usnavystgc Die Hard DIYer and Ebike enthusiast.

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    Maybe I'm dumb John but I have to ask, what is the answer?
     
    #6 usnavystgc, Sep 26, 2012
  7. Johnmo

    Johnmo Junior Member

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    Loose Battery cable to the 12V, cost to fix, Zero dollars. Lucky me, I was already counting out $ for a new battery
     
    #7 Johnmo, Sep 26, 2012
  8. usnavystgc

    usnavystgc Die Hard DIYer and Ebike enthusiast.

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    Good deal.
     
    #8 usnavystgc, Sep 26, 2012
  9. chaps

    chaps Junior Member

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    Phew...
     
    #9 chaps, Sep 27, 2012
  10. SteveWlf

    SteveWlf Old-on-Hold

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    Thanks for clearing that up for me as a Newbie and got the "Triangle of Dread" with in the 1st 40 mile of my newly purchased Prius Classic (with 276,00 miles). The problem went away after a return home and doing an OBD II scan and spent an hour of manual and online research.
    Really, in retro-spect, while I was doing all of my research, I had left the key switch on and the head lights ran the battery dead. I then had to jump start it again and while hooking it up I did tighten the terminal connections.
    Also found an EV code set when I scanned, P3191 which isn't listed in my manuals but online research didn't indicate anything omonious so I deleted it.

    Thanks for relating your similar experience and solution.
    Steve
     
    #10 SteveWlf, Oct 20, 2012
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