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Energy bars on MFD constantly fluctuating

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by sapper75, Aug 7, 2020.

  1. sapper75

    sapper75 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 7, 2020
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    Location:
    San Angelo, TX
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    The energy bars on my 2008 Prius have been fluctuating at an erratic rate. When I start the car I have 6 bars. When I start driving for just a couple of minutes, it drops down to four ( at this time still in the blue). I have seen it drop down to 1 blue bar, right before it goes into 2 pink bars. When I am sitting at an idle, it drops to 2 pink bars. Not sure if the ambient temperature has anything to do with it. The temp has gotten well above 105 degrees the past several days.

    This phenomena started the other day when I was on a 240 mile trip. Up to that point, all the blue bars would showing. Once in a while it would go into the green. It should be noted that the car has a new hybrid battery purchased and installed from the dealer.
     
    #1 sapper75, Aug 7, 2020
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
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    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
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    Plug-in Base
    the a/c is likely stressing the hybrid battery. very odd if it is an oem from a toyota dealer, but they won't do anything until you get a dash light.
     
    #2 bisco, Aug 8, 2020
  3. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

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    Location:
    Clearwater, Florida
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
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    Two
    If it really is a new Toyota factory battery installed by a Toyota dealer
    That cost about $5000 installed it should not be doing that
    So you paid that much at the dealer.

    Or it is a brand new battery and you are not driving the car much at all except for just short in town trips. That kind of life is very hard on the battery
    Living in a low charge state all the time.

    You need to take it on the highway for a nice 40 mile drive.

    I would check the inverter coolant reservoir make the car ready take the cap off look inside with a flashlight and see if you see aggressive movement of the fluid. If it’s just sitting there the pump has failed
     
    #3 edthefox5, Aug 8, 2020
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