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Red Triangle keeps coming on intermittently

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by AnnaBiJou, Aug 21, 2024 at 11:06 PM.

  1. AnnaBiJou

    AnnaBiJou Junior Member

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    Hello, this is my first time posting here so please go easy on me.
    I own a 2008 Gen2 Prius with 300,000 miles on it, it's been throwing a red triangle intermittently for over 2 years. I have a Torque Pro app and an OBD2 meter, which I found one code, a MAF Sensor error. The hose clamp underneath was loose, so I tightened that, and I replaced the MAF Sensor around March, which got rid of the Check Engine light and the code. Using the OBD2 meter now, even when there's a red triangle, there are no codes.

    The red triangle did not stop though, which kept coming and going, I tried replacing the wire under the fuse box that I read fixed it for someone else on here, but I may of done a bad job of it. There is no reliable way to get the triangle to trigger, it's entirely random. The car does burn through oil pretty quick, roughly 1 quart in between oil changes, but I check and top it up regularly, the oil can't be the issue.

    I attached pictures of the torque apps readings, from what I can tell the battery blocks are all in good health, they are running hot maybe? The temperature I got off of the torque app was reading in the 90s, and during a drive, I had someone else watch the readings as I drove, the temperature went above 100 degrees. I'm not sure what a normal battery temp is.

    The engine overspeeds when the battery is entirely full, fairly often going down shorter downhills, when years ago, it would only overspeed on long hills like a mountain.
    Yes I've taken it to a dealer, no it hasn't acted up when I could get it there, not until today, but he only used an engine OBD meter, not hybrid battery compatible, it didn't catch any codes either.

    I don't know what else to do at this point, I've tried so many things, looked up so many suggestions and guides on how to fix this and nothing has worked.
    Screenshot_20240821_190925_Torque[1].jpg Screenshot_20240821_190919_Torque[1].jpg 20240821_194256[1].jpg Screenshot_20240821_190110_Torque[1].jpg

    I will provide more info if need be, thank you. ​
     
  2. MAX2

    MAX2 Junior Member

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    Try using special applications for your Techstream for computer/+a good scanner or a special Mini-VCI
    There is an error in the hybrid system and your application does not see it.
    Dr.Prius can try to find the error DTC

    How long ago did you change the 12V battery?
    What voltage does it hold before turning on the car in the morning?
     
    #2 MAX2, Aug 22, 2024 at 2:42 AM
    Last edited: Aug 22, 2024 at 2:55 AM
  3. mr_guy_mann

    mr_guy_mann Senior Member

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    Hello and welcome to PriusChat!

    Generally the "master warning light" (Red Triangle of Death) is triggered by a fault in the hybrid drive system. Torque is a handy app, but it is very limited and can only "talk" to a couple of the 15 or so systems in a Gen2 Prius.

    You need a more capable scantool to get codes and data from all systems. Here's a thread that reviews several scantool apps and devices.
    (The Autel AP200 is a good choice for "basic" diagnostics)

    https://priuschat.com/index.php?posts/3290690

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    Brian1954 likes this.
  4. Leadfoot J. McCoalroller

    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller Senior Member

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    I only know of two ways to get that triangle master warning without codes:

    1) use a code reader that can't actually read all the codes out of a Prius- meaning there are codes, but your reader is blind to them.
    2) low oil pressure.


    Low oil pressure is not the same thing as low oil level. Low level cannot trigger any alarm in a Prius- though it can lead to low pressure, and low pressure will trigger the warning triangle alarm.

    Levels are read by you when you pull the dipstick.

    Pressure is read by a spring-loaded pressure switch- and there could possibly be a problem with the pressure, and it could just be a lousy switch.
     
  5. AnnaBiJou

    AnnaBiJou Junior Member

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    The 12V battery was changed two years ago, and doing the voltage self check, the first reading was 11.9v, the second with lights on was 11.6v, and the third with the car all the way on was 14.1v.
     
  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    get a free 12 volt load test at many auto parts stores