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2004 Toyota Prius Issue - Help appreciated

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by Jmagee, Aug 6, 2017.

  1. Jmagee

    Jmagee New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 6, 2017
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    Location:
    Orange County CA
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    Five
    I purchased my first Prius 3 months back and really enjoy the car. It is a 2004. However I ran into a problem over the wknd and am seeking some help.

    I was driving 35-40 mph when my Prius died and lost power. I pulled over and parked the vehicle. It did restart but didn't seem fully alive. At first it would not go into drive/reverse but did after sitting for a few minutes. Once it did go into drive/reverse it would barely crawl to get into parking spot - No gas motor assistance. As of now it will not go into drive/reverse as it did the one time after it died.

    I have not pulled codes. I did check the 12v battery and it is good. The HV battery was replaced at 86k on 3.15.2017. I now have 92k. The inverter coolant pump has never been done as far as I know. No funny sounds before this happened.

    Is there a way to test the coolant pump, HV battery or inverter without the car being on?


    * The dash lights that came on:
    - Triangle With !
    - Check Engine
    - Circle With !
    - ABS
    - VCS
    - Car/Traction

    * The Power button light turned orange

    Any help would be great, as I need to fix this vehicle asap and on a budget.

    Thank you and I appreciate you reading my post.
     
    #1 Jmagee, Aug 6, 2017
  2. fotomoto

    fotomoto Senior Member

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    Without the codes, we are just guessing too.

    The inverter coolant pump can be checked with the car on and in ready mode by feeling the hose next to the reservoir for vibrations of fluid flow or looking into the coolant reservoir tank for turbulence. For the non-mechanic type, the only way to easily check the battery or inverter is the codes.

    If it's the pump, you can let the car cool down and drive it again till the inverter overheats and shuts the car down again in an effort to protect itself. I would disconnect the 12v battery too to clear the codes first.

    GOOD LUCK
     
    #2 fotomoto, Aug 6, 2017
  3. Jmagee

    Jmagee New Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
    Orange County CA
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    Five
    Thank you for the quick reply. I am in the process of getting it towed so I can pull the codes. Once I get the codes I will add to the post.

    Thank you again!
     
    #3 Jmagee, Aug 6, 2017
    Raytheeagle likes this.
  4. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    Vehicle:
    2019 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Plus
    Welcome to Prius Chat (y).

    When you said the battery was replaced, was it a brand new battery from toyota, or a rebuilt battery? What was the warranty on the battery?

    Keep us posted (y).
     
    #4 Raytheeagle, Aug 6, 2017
  5. Beachbummm

    Beachbummm Senior Member

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    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    Five
    is there gas in it?
     
    #5 Beachbummm, Aug 6, 2017
    MilkyWay likes this.
  6. wjtracy

    wjtracy Senior Member

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    #6 wjtracy, Aug 6, 2017
  7. Jmagee

    Jmagee New Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
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    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    Five
    Thanks for the replies everyone, this forum is great.

    Gas tank is full. I checked and the inverter coolant pump is flowing when the car briefly turns on but I don't keep it on in fear of damaging it further. The dash lights still stay on.

    The battery is covered for a year and the company is supposed to be in touch tomorrow.

    Also, The battery bars were at 2 bars in the color red and would not go higher than 4 bars in blue before it happened.
     
    #7 Jmagee, Aug 6, 2017
    Raytheeagle likes this.
  8. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    Model:
    Prime Plus
    Sounds like a bad battery:(.

    This will probably be a continuing trend as the refurbished battery quality is not great.

    What's the condition of the Prius otherwise?
     
    #8 Raytheeagle, Aug 6, 2017
  9. Jmagee

    Jmagee New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 6, 2017
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    Location:
    Orange County CA
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    Five
    That's what I hear about the non dealer batteries


    The Prius is in great shape otherwise. Very clean with a excellent maintenance record.
     
    #9 Jmagee, Aug 6, 2017
    Raytheeagle likes this.
  10. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    Vehicle:
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    Model:
    Prime Plus
    Any reason you went the refurbished versus new route?

    Ultimately you can keep going back to the same company until the warranty expires. But expect inconvenience of time along the way.

    If the Prius is in good shape and worth putting $2500 into a 13 year old car, a new battery will be more reliable and last much longer.

    But the value decision is up to you;).

    Good luck (y).
     
    #10 Raytheeagle, Aug 6, 2017
  11. Jmagee

    Jmagee New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 6, 2017
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    Location:
    Orange County CA
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    Five
    The previous owner had replaced the battery before I bough it. He was quoted 5k+ at the dealership so he went with the 1250 option instead. I would've went with the better longer lasting option and done it myself, which may be in the future.
     
    #11 Jmagee, Aug 7, 2017
    Raytheeagle likes this.
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