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Death triangle in Prius 1st Gen.

Discussion in 'Generation 1 Prius Discussion' started by Artur M. Duque, Mar 13, 2018.

  1. Artur M. Duque

    Artur M. Duque New Member

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    Have a mod 2003 prius wihich has been amazing all those years. Not a problem. It has now only 85 500Km (53 000mi). But lately I felt some shaking in the wheel when turning left. I read somewhere it was due to the low battery. So I charged the batetry overnight and the problem desapeared. But some 2 weeks later it came back. So I took it to a revision (repair shop) not with the official dealer, The repair shop diagnosed the steering rack problem, costing more than 5000€. I changed the battery and the problem desapeared again. but some 10 days later I had the death triangle, the PS sign and the engine ALWAYS ON.
    Now the car runs turns right and left smoothly but I can not make the dumb death signals desapear.
    Can someone out there help me with this problem? I deeply apreciate any help, because I am not fully convinced the real problem is the faulty steering rack.
     
  2. Brian in Tucson

    Brian in Tucson Active Member

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    When you changed the battery, you reset the computer so that the codes and triangle were removed. You really should find out why the computer is setting codes--a mini VCI cable and a cloned (pirated) copy of Techstream will accomplish this. Any indie hybrid shop or the Toyota agency can do it or you can buy the necessary cable and software online for not much money. Without a Techstream scan, you and the shop you took it to are just guessing.

    Welcome to Prius Chat!
     
  3. Artur M. Duque

    Artur M. Duque New Member

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    Thanks Brian, for your kind help.
    I´m going to get an OBD diagnostic tester and see what the real problem is. I had, long years ago, an alarm installed by a Toyota dealer and hope this is not causing problems: because when I connected back the 12 V battery, I neard relays clicking and lights coming ON, and had to open and close the doors with the command to reset those relays and lights.
     
  4. Artur M. Duque

    Artur M. Duque New Member

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    I connected the OBD tester, erased errors and car runs perfect. Thanks for the precious help.
     
    bisco likes this.
  5. dolj

    dolj Senior Member

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    What were the error codes you erased?
     
    Raytheeagle likes this.
  6. Artur M. Duque

    Artur M. Duque New Member

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    Code erased P3191, as well as the death triangle and PS! sign
     
  7. dolj

    dolj Senior Member

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    That codes means the Engine (ICE) did not start.

    Let us know if any codes come back.