2005. Problem. All warning lights are on. Wont start.

Inverter?

 

How many miles on the car and is there any previous service history?

The dealer cleared the codes and test drove it without further issue (as per invoice), what else was on the invoice, did they offer a break down on the repair estimate?

Where is it located at now, and do you have access to any tools or a desire to attempt repair?

When will your code reader come in the mail and which one did you buy?

 

That's the HV leakage problem Tomish.

However it could be in one of several places. It can be at the battery itself (usually due to corrosion as Ed said previously). But other common places for that fault are aircon compressor and also the transaxle (in one of the motor/generators). I believe that the HV leakage code has a sub-code that gives more info on the exact location, though I don't know the exact details.

Previously you said the dealer estimated $1800, now you say $4200 for just the part? Does mean the the dealer is still unsure of the exact location of the fault? At $4200 it's starting to sound more like the transaxle to me. Can you press the dealer a bit to give you the exact part that they think needs replacing?

 

Look at the pic in post #10. The dealer noted that they suspect a bad motor in the transaxle.

So if 12v is ruled out, then the POAA7 code is real.

It would likely take a bit more disassembly and testing to truly confirm it. (using a multimeter and a megger.)

In any case it is not a quick fix and will be costly.

(inverter, transaxle, hv harness, or battery)

 

As Carolyn noted in her luscious blog many a dealer has replaced the inverter mistakenly when the real problem is a blown motor winding. As she says a classic case of "killing the messenger"

 

Now that the computer codes have pointed the diagnosis in the right direction, now some hands-on diagnostic is needed.
Either you have to do the hands on yourself (if you have the tools. Which is unlikely) or you are going to have to pay someone to do it.

Since you can't pinpoint it from just the code this time, the dealer is going to try to estimate high, just in case it is the most expensive part.
You may luck out and further diagnosis confirms it is "only" the inverter.

I would want to meg out the HV components first to rule out the inverter, etc.

 

You can check the 12V battery without special equipment; it's built into the Prius control system: 1) Keep your foot off the brake pedal and press the POWER button; 2) hold down the INFO button next to the screen; 3) turn the headlights on and off three times to enter Maintenance mode; release Info button; 4) Press "Menu," then "Display Check," then “Vehicle Signal Check.” The battery voltage will be shown; it should be about 12.4 to 12.8V. Press the POWER button again (still not touching the brake pedal) to put a load on the battery and read the voltage again; it should stay above about 12V.