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Triangle of Death

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by vince3151, May 28, 2014.

  1. vince3151

    vince3151 Junior Member

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    2008 Prius
    I've dreaded the day I would receive the Red Triangle. It occurred upon initial start up this morning.Could this be brake system related as 3 weeks ago I got my front brakepads/ rotors replaced. Since then the front brakes have been grabbing to the point that my wife will ask me about the noise when she's in my car.

    The hybrid battery indicator is always many blue bars and green with no wild flucuations. I'm getting between 48-51 mpg's. For general maintenance I installed the Optima Yellow top about 4 weeks ago. Oil is full, coolant inverter reservoir is full with tuburlant motion and was replaced under recall 2 years ago. The transaxle fluid was changed 20k miles ago.

    So back to the brakes. I have the Red Triangle with !, VSC. Is it wishful thinking or could these warnings ever be displayed due to a brake issue? Is the Triangle always associated with hybrid battery failure? Can I still drive it or should it be towed?

    2008 Prius
    184K
    Well maintained
    85% highway miles
     
    #1 vince3151, May 28, 2014
  2. vince3151

    vince3151 Junior Member

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    I've been working all week and leaving the car at home. I took it for a 5 min test drive tonight, no issues just
    the Red Triangle. Front brakes are still grabbing and make for jerky stops. I've schedule an appointment for Friday where they can read the codes and such. Any warnings before I have the Toyota dealer diagnose the issue?

    I appreciate any insight you can provide or the strategy I can use with the dealer.
     
    #2 vince3151, May 28, 2014
  3. jadziasman

    jadziasman Prius owner emeritus

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    You don't need to go to a stealership to find out what the triangle of sorrow is secretly pronouncing. Go to Autozone or Advance Auto if you have either nearby. They can attach their OBDII code scanner and read the code(s) for you - if any are stored - sometimes there are none.

    Personally, I own a OBDII code scanner and I also have the Torque app for my Android phone that will also read the codes when the dreaded triangle appears on my dash again. Hopefully not for many moons.
     
    #3 jadziasman, May 28, 2014
    Last edited: May 28, 2014
  4. ericbecky

    ericbecky Hybrid Battery Hero

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    If you decide to go to the dealer and they say it is the battery, find out their price and then report back here.

    Or if you get the code read for free by a parts shop, report back here so we can point you in the right direction.

    XT1049 ?
     
    #4 ericbecky, May 28, 2014
    vince3151 likes this.
  5. vince3151

    vince3151 Junior Member

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    My update:
    First, thank you everyone for your replies I appreciate them.

    What ive done so far:

    Disconnected 12 v battery, waited 15 min, upon start up still received Red Triangle and battery
    icon on the LCD screen. Went for a 10 min drive, all appears normal, battery indicator 5-6 blue
    bars.

    Later that day, I started the car and no Red Triangle or any warning indicators at all. Went
    for another 10 minute drive, battery indicator still 5-6 blue bars, no warnings tripped.

    What to do, what to do? I'll still keep my appointment so they can pull codes. I didn't think
    the Red Triangle ever went away on its own?
     
    #5 vince3151, May 28, 2014
  6. Houston Hybrids

    Houston Hybrids Junior Member

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    Pulling the 12v will clear the codes for a short time, but just to be safe I would not take the car on busy/dangerous roads for a while until you are sure that they problem is resolved (I'm doubtful that it is). Here is a little trick I use sometimes to get a code to come back after the 12v has been pulled. Find a safe place to try accelerating quickly and then braking hard afterward. It sounds crazy, but it has worked for me numerous times when trying to get phantom codes to reappear. If and when the codes come back take the car to Autozone and save yourself the hassle of going to the dealership. The red triangle is commonly associated with the HV battery, but can appear for numerous reasons, knowing the codes will definitely help narrow things down.
    Hope this helps,
    Jessica
     
    #6 Houston Hybrids, May 30, 2014
    vince3151 likes this.
  7. theshark

    theshark Member

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    Any update!?!
     
    #7 theshark, May 30, 2014
  8. vince3151

    vince3151 Junior Member

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    Wow you guys are great thought my thread was dead.

    This morning upon startup the Triangle appeared again, so I went to my scheduled 1pm appointment. They said it generated a general P0A09-no present codes and that everything was ok. Got back in my car and was relieved to see no Triangle. The ride home everything is fine, averaging 49 mpg's car is running like a champ.

    I get home and 2 hours later hop in the car to run to the grocery store and upon startup my friend the Triangle is back, Wth. I call the dealer and they schedule me for a 8am appointment on Monday.

    So, anyone have ideas? Should I take my car to work tomorrow?
     
    #8 vince3151, May 30, 2014
  9. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    have you checked the 12v?
     
    #9 bisco, May 30, 2014
  10. vince3151

    vince3151 Junior Member

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    Yes, the battery was replaced 4 weeks ago Optima Yellow Top. Just in case I tested the battery using the
    Prius diagnostic display. Results were 12.6, 12.3 & 14.1. I wish the 12v battery was bad it wouldn't be
    so concerning.

    Could it be a short in the blower motor, it's on it's way out and from time to time I have to hit under the
    glove box to make it work?
     
    #10 vince3151, May 30, 2014
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