"Problem" "Red Triangle" "Vsc" "Braking System"

Hate to introduce myself in need of urgent help, yet I'm fairly new to the forum; towards creating my own post of course. I spend quite a few reading through out the pages. Now I'm here needing help.

I'll began with a few error codes I've encountered in the past. Early on this year my check engine light came on and received "P1116" & "P1121" I did a bit of research and came across it being a common problem. Being as most teens in their 20s, I decided to ignore the problem; since the engine light would go off and on as it pleased. I ended taking the car from LA to San Fransisco for a usual trip and had no problems aside from the back vent (assuming from the battery) came on. Although I stopped to check the car I didn't find it to be a issue so proceeded with my day.

Now speeding up to about 2 weeks ago the car was having difficulties turning on, where I quickly assumed it was the 12 volt battery. I changed it that same weekend and began to work great again. Well, didn't get that same luck today on my way to take my son out. While on the freeway driving completely normal, around 15 minutes into my drive. I here a "beep" and in the screen it says "problem" and to be honest I read "Pull Over, before it's to late" . It came on with what I recall seeing the same lights I'm getting now. Once I pulled over I shut the car off and wasn't able to start it up anymore. It just so happen that I got a bit of luck and instantly the freeway assistance tow truck was behind me where he managed to get me out the freeway. Once out the freeway I disconnected my battery to reset the computer. The car started up normal and proceeded to go back home (no lights on), a few miles before I get home all the lights came back on. I managed to drive slow and get the car inside my garage.

Not knowing what the problem was, I headed over to the codes in which I received in the past and decided to personally change my coolant inverter. It had began to make a lot of noise and vibration so just assumed that was the problem. I tried turning on the car, yet it prevented me and the dashboard lights shown in the picture remained on. Now I disconnected the battery for about 2 hours to reset once again, along with our weather here in California to cool off. I turned the car on and began to drive around the neighborhood about 10 miles, seeing how well and normal it was I took it on the highway for a additional +4 miles. Once I got off the freeway I decided to call my girlfriend and express a bit of my excitement, got no answer. Instantly got all the lights on a mile down.. Indecisive if my gf is the problem or my beloved prius seeing I can't get rid of her, I need to investigate the problem. Back to the car keep in mind the car remained to drive normal. In regards with acceleration, changing gears, battery charging properly, and just everything in general. At this point really not sure what it can be, my next move is to change "p1121" Coolant Control Valve. Any direction is greatly appreciated, thank you in advance.

Key Points:
Oil changed 1 week ago (level is good)
Coolant Level (Good)
Brake Fluid (good)
Gas 1/4 tank
Miles (I know, I know it's up there) : 290,000
12 volt battery (new)
I haven't messed with transmission, so don't know about it's fluid
The car runs great considering it's mileage, believe me. brother has 3rd generation and father 4th gen.
As of now car won't start, will checked when cooled off and will update.

 

No, I can get my hands on a obdII scanner but as of now the check engine light isn't on. Would it still be able to troubleshoot any codes?

 

If I reset the battery it'll turn on and I can drive away, it isn't until 10 miles down that it'll began to display the lights shown in the picture above. Once the lights are on I turn the car off and no longer will it want to turn on, the car currently is in the not wanting to turn on mode; I'll insert the pictures. I will go and pick up the scanner and see if it can gather any codes.

 

I was actually looking into that, since I read it through some posts. The only problem with that is it wouldn't arrive until next week, which would have me carless. Yet if that's the only option I'll have to proceed with that. Understood, thank you. I'm hoping I managed to send you a PM, wasn't sure exactly where to go to send it.

 

Yeah I completely understand and agree with you, at this point don't seek to take anymore short cuts and end up getting cut short. I meant it more towards if there was a faster solution such as anything I can check aside from leaving the car a few days. Would I be able to use it with a macbook?

 

Wanted to add that I installed the obdII and got 0 codes. My next step is to look into purchasing the vci or possibly finding someone with one that can troubleshoot it for me. I'd hate to purchase and not figure out how to program it, although I'll began to search youtube videos to see if I can discover some DIY's

 

Talking with him now. I actually will be receiving the mini vci tomorrow through amazon prime.