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Triangle of Death 2011 Prius

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by Lrpriusgal, Jun 16, 2022.

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  1. Lrpriusgal

    Lrpriusgal New Member

    Joined:
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    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    New here! Hello!

    I have a 2011 Prius (base) that died last night. For a month or so prior, the car would make this horrible rattling noise upon start. When you throw it into reverse, it stops. Replaced coil packs and plugs, as it was throwing a cylinder 2 and cylinder 4 misfire. This fixed it for a while. The problem started again and we drove it that way (I know this is a no-no, but I’m broke). Last night, it sounded like a blender going at full force. “Check Hybrid System”, triangle of death, and check engine light came on. Tried to make it home, lost power, and all lights came on. I tried restarting it a couple of times and it would take gas and go for a few feet, then the engine would shut off. Eventually, it stopped. We put it in neutral and started pushing. Then we took a break and it wouldn’t go back into neutral. Ended up having it towed home.

    Has anybody experienced this? I live in an area where there aren’t any shops that specialize in the Prius or any hybrid car. Multiple have told me they won’t touch one.

    From my own diagnostic research, it has to be something to do with the electrical system. But, I could be completely wrong. Please help?!
     
    #1 Lrpriusgal, Jun 16, 2022
  2. Half Vast

    Half Vast Junior Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
    Suffolk, VA
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    First, how many miles on the vehicle? Based solely on your description, it sounds like you have a blown head gasket, common on 3rd Gen Prius'. Most that have had this note they can get the car to run better temporarily by changing coil packs and plugs. The downside is that "solution" is short-lived. If you can, put an OBDII scanner or Techstream on it and post the codes. That'll provide much more info to be able to point you in the right direction.

    Also, do a search on here for 3rd Gen Prius head gasket. There's a ton of info to get you better informed as to what you may be dealing with.
     
    #2 Half Vast, Jun 17, 2022
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  3. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    Vehicle:
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    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    head gasket as vast noted above
     
    #3 bisco, Jun 17, 2022
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  4. Lrpriusgal

    Lrpriusgal New Member

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    Location:
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    Vehicle:
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    Thank you all! I’m gonna try to get my hands on a scanner. It’s got a little over 200K on it. I did manage to find one shop not too terribly far that works on hybrids, so I may just get it over to them. Thanks again!
     
    #4 Lrpriusgal, Jun 18, 2022
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  5. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    you want to have the trouble codes read by a shoppe with tech stream diagnostic software, or a dealer.

    if they can repair it, you also want to have the egr circuit cleaned.
     
    #5 bisco, Jun 18, 2022
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  6. Half Vast

    Half Vast Junior Member

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    Location:
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    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    With that mileage coupled with your description, the likelihood of a blown head gasket is much higher. Glad to hear you found a fairly close shop to take it to. Please post back after taking it there. Good luck!
     
    #6 Half Vast, Jun 19, 2022
  7. Half Vast

    Half Vast Junior Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
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    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    Definitely have this done. Dirty/plugged EGR circuit (think airflow, not electrical) is the main reason Gen 3's pop head-gaskets.
     
    #7 Half Vast, Jun 19, 2022
  8. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    Leak-down test and boroscope will confirm what's "probably" happening", head gasket failure.

    This:
    If you resolve the head gasket, get on this asap, to avoid a repeat. More info in first link in my signature.

    Or just sell.
     
    #8 Mendel Leisk, Jun 19, 2022
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