1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Prius warning lights

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by moonflower053, Jan 3, 2024.

  1. moonflower053

    moonflower053 New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 3, 2024
    6
    5
    0
    Location:
    United State
    Vehicle:
    2024 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    [​IMG] I am buying a used Prius 2013. This car has 100k miles. The current owner sent me this photo about warning lights. She told me only front left brake needs works (likely changing pad). She is old and doesn't know much about cars. As this car is very far from my place, I would like to know if it's worth coming to check. I'm also very know to Prius. What are the meaning of these lights considering the age and mileage of the car? Could you please opine?
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]

    Thank you!
     
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    108,908
    49,489
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    welcome!

    the lights only tell you that there are trouble codes that are available. you need a prius aware scanner to read those, and then you have to research the codes to find the problems.

    two cautions about gen 3 (2010-2015) prius, the egr clogs and the head gaskets blow.
    also, the brake actuators are a weak point. both problems are expensive to repair unless you can diy.

    all the best!
     
    Brian1954 and moonflower053 like this.
  3. bettergolf

    bettergolf Active Member

    Joined:
    Jan 8, 2019
    427
    339
    0
    Location:
    Sanford NC
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    All these lights come on when you start the car.....if any of them stay on after starting the car, then they will be a warning.
     
    moonflower053 likes this.
  4. V Sport Wagon

    V Sport Wagon Member

    Joined:
    Oct 6, 2023
    227
    83
    0
    Location:
    USA
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Five
    Leaning towards an ABS related issue. Can you hear the faint pump running sound every 5-10 seconds with or without pressing the brake?
     
    moonflower053 likes this.
  5. moonflower053

    moonflower053 New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 3, 2024
    6
    5
    0
    Location:
    United State
    Vehicle:
    2024 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    I have installed drPrius and bought an OBD scanner but it would take me more than 3 hours to be there. If the problem is only ABS related, what would be the ballpark cost fo fix it? Also I noticed some digits are missing (burnt out?) in the dashboard, would it be a big problem?
    Thanks!
     
  6. PriusGuy32

    PriusGuy32 Prius Driver Extraordinaire

    Joined:
    Sep 10, 2012
    1,417
    510
    0
    Location:
    Harrison Township, Michigan
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    If she is "old and doesnt know about cars" is she even starting the car fully when she took those pictures?? Like someone else said, all those lights illuminate and stay illuminated when you turn the car to "run" but right before starting it and achieving Ready status.

    However, if those lights are ON while the car is Ready, you've got problems. And I would not purchase that vehicle until you have the codes read (as someone else suggested too!) by a more advanced scantool.
     
    moonflower053 likes this.
  7. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 30, 2008
    24,012
    15,614
    0
    Location:
    Indiana, USA
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    I see the READY light showing in the picture, so my answer would be yes, those warning lights are on when the car is READY. :)

    All of the warning lights that are showing should be able to give you their corresponding trouble codes, this way:

    Blink (a/k/a Flash) Codes – How to. | PriusChat

    If the codes are posted here, we may be able to say more.
     
    moonflower053 and PriusGuy32 like this.