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Red Triangle Story

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by priusrust, Mar 13, 2019.

  1. priusrust

    priusrust Member

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    Coming back from long distance trip across the US, red Triangle suddenly appeared- panic!, :eek:car quickly lost power and I pulled over. Has Prius (2004 w 110K miles) towed to nearest Toyota. I was told I needed new hybrid battery- service was very sure of this due to specific codes. ............I decided I wanted a "second opinion" and called another Toyota dealership. The service guy at Toyota #2 told me to check my 12-volt battery connections, that if they are loose, it can give you a red triangle. Luckily, the battery cable WAS loose. I tightened it, and car seemed fine. I went in and told the technicians and they solemnly warned me that I was mistaken- that the codes clearly showed I needed a new hybrid battery.....& they seriously warned me not to drive car off their lot, as I was putting myself in danger. ............Anyway, drove away- car has been fine since. :)
     
    #1 priusrust, Mar 13, 2019
    bisco likes this.
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    well done, and a lesson for all of us, thanks!(y)
     
    #2 bisco, Mar 13, 2019
  3. stockdaddy

    stockdaddy Member

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    driving off with 2 intact lug nuts on a tire with the rest sheered off is putting yourself in danger. a failing battery won't kill you.

    use this experience as motivation to buy your own code reader.
     
    #3 stockdaddy, Mar 15, 2019
  4. Devdas

    Devdas Member

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    Codes come and go I was told by the Toyota dealer that codes unless it is currently showing is not valid anymore perhaps get a second opinion on it. I had the experience where the red triangle came on kept driving it until safe and called the recovery people who scanned it gave me some codes which i asked main dealer to look into was told it does not matter those codes are history now.
     
    #4 Devdas, Mar 15, 2019
  5. Skibob

    Skibob Senior Member

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    What were the codes that came up at the first dealer? The only one I can think of that could be dangerous wold be the voltage leak code.
     
    #5 Skibob, Mar 15, 2019
  6. ericbecky

    ericbecky Hybrid Battery Hero

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    Anyone with an older Prius should buy some basic diagnostic tools so they can read and clear codes as well as see HV battery data.
    Cost less than $100.
    Android device, torque pro app, Bluetooth OBDII adaptor.
     
    #6 ericbecky, Mar 16, 2019
    Barry CLEMENTS likes this.
  7. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

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    OP never posted the codes so will never know but it may have thrown a hybrid battery ground fault nag which can be reset by disconnecting the 12 volt battery that will temporarily clear the code and allow you to drive. If it was a ground fault nag it will come back.

    Next time post the codes the dealer pulled its the only way we can help.

    Bad news for the op if oem that's a very very old battery. One way or the other start planning on what to do when not if it fails cause its very over due.
     
    #7 edthefox5, Mar 16, 2019
    Skibob likes this.
  8. Barry CLEMENTS

    Barry CLEMENTS Junior Member

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    Recently purchased the Techstream download and there is lots my standard OBD-ll reader was not picking up. I have read mentions of a Toyota service manual used by Toyota techs for the Prius that is downloadable in pdf form. Is it expensive? Does anybody have a link?
     
    #8 Barry CLEMENTS, May 14, 2019
  9. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    you can get it for $20. for two days at tech info.toyota, but search around, i have read that gen 2 is available for free.
     
    #9 bisco, May 14, 2019
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