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My Bipolar Prius

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by Jim Hearn, Oct 23, 2019.

  1. Jim Hearn

    Jim Hearn Junior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 13, 2019
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    Location:
    Fort Lauderdale Florida
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    Howdy all, New to the Prius car. I have a FJ Cruiser that was my daily driver and now adopted the Prius after my girlfriend wreaked it.The Prius has some unique issues that i am actually having fun solving.
    Anyway i have dealt with the Red triangle and all sorts of engine codes.
    The latest is the inverter reservoir loses fluid from somewhere (i haven't had time to sort it out) As long as i keep it topped off the lights all disappear. Everything functions fine until the dash lights go out then its wondering where the gas was when they shut off. (Going to see if i qualify for the dash light extended warranty next)
    I have had this car in about two months times and everyday its adventure
     
    #1 Jim Hearn, Oct 23, 2019
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
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    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    what's life without some adventure?

    all the best!(y)
     
    #2 bisco, Oct 23, 2019
  3. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
    Pacific Northwest, USA
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Try doing a deep clean of your engine compartment. If you can't find where it's leaking from, maybe a cleaner engine will make it easier to eventually find it?
     
    #3 PriusCamper, Oct 23, 2019
  4. T1 Terry

    T1 Terry Active Member

    Joined:
    Jan 4, 2015
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    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Model:
    Plug-in Advanced
    If you do a search in the search box (the top right of the page) for combination meter reset, you can get it going again without having to disconnect the 12v battery each time. Eventually the whole thing will die, but there are links as to where to get a rebuilt one and You Tube videos of how to install it.
    If you wait for a few days it comes back on all by itself, just use the app on a smart phone as the speedo till it gets its act back together. The fuel gauge bit can be a pain so you tend to fill the tank as soon as the dash goes blank just to be sure :lol:

    T1 Terry
     
    #4 T1 Terry, Oct 24, 2019
  5. Jim Hearn

    Jim Hearn Junior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 13, 2019
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    Location:
    Fort Lauderdale Florida
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    Funny you should mention the fuel level. Normal commute to work back and forth is roughly 60 miles. I was able to run a Thursday to Thursday between fill ups and still have over a quarter tank of gas. FJ was $30 premium every 3rd day (11-12 MPG) So Its Wednesday and the dash lights worked this time and there was a half tank. Said no worries ill fill up on Thursday. Got on the turnpike happy that the check engine light was off because of topping off the inverter and just as i got to my exit i started losing power. Checked the MFD and no power from the engine. It was running on battery and the electric motor. Just was able to get off and pull into a spot.I installed a Marine battery switch at the inside panel above where the battery is .Tied it into the ground so a reboot becomes easy. Car started right up and no is says i have low fuel and a blinking light on the fuel gauge. I was able to make it about 15 minutes then everything started to shut down. Funny thing is i made it a 100' next to a gas station until no fuel ,no hybrid battery or electrical to move. Had my Girlfriend grab a 5 gallon gas can filled the can up put it into the Prius Dash lights on now showing just under a half tank. Started up and off i went.
    I can say one thing it never fails to start however sometimes struggle to shut off. I have figured out a work around on that too.
    Loving the adventure though
     
    #5 Jim Hearn, Oct 24, 2019
  6. T1 Terry

    T1 Terry Active Member

    Joined:
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    Vehicle:
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    Model:
    Plug-in Advanced
    I guess you know how to turn it off when it's having a hissy fit, just hold the button in until it shuts down. Sounds like the whole combination meter thing is approaching the end of life ..... or there is just a loose connection some where, but by the time you have stripped out the dash far enough to get to the connections you may as well swap out the combination meter while you are there.

    T1 Terry
     
    #6 T1 Terry, Oct 24, 2019
  7. Renee'

    Renee' New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 30, 2019
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    Location:
    Henryville IN
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Try contacting Steve at Daytona Hybrids. He specializes in Gen 2 Prius!
     
    #7 Renee', Oct 31, 2019
    Jim Hearn likes this.
  8. George W

    George W Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 12, 2018
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    Location:
    San Antonio
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    Stupid question, but could the Inverter drain plug be loose or have a bad gasket?
     
    #8 George W, Nov 1, 2019
  9. George W

    George W Senior Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
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    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    This is the 4th such promotion response I've read in 2 days
     
    #9 George W, Nov 1, 2019
  10. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
    Bay Area, California
    Vehicle:
    2019 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Plus
    All 13 of their posts have the same message;).

    And they have a friend named “Jack” that works there:cool:.

    So a sort of plug(y).
     
    #10 Raytheeagle, Nov 1, 2019
  11. George W

    George W Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 12, 2018
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    Location:
    San Antonio
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    Some one should pay for advertising space, IMO
     
    #11 George W, Nov 1, 2019
  12. Jim Hearn

    Jim Hearn Junior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 13, 2019
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    Location:
    Fort Lauderdale Florida
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    I'm not sure. I haven't had a chance to look. This weekend is slated to replace the back bumper and spark plugs so i will make the crawl under the car and see what is going on
     
    #12 Jim Hearn, Nov 1, 2019
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