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red warning triangle

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by momsum, Oct 13, 2006.

  1. momsum

    momsum New Member

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    I have a 2005 Pius with 18000 miles on it. 2wks ago I got the red triangle with the symbol that looks like a light on the MFD. Manual says "take to Toyota right away". Did. They said the problem was with communication with the smart key.

    :( Today..same thing happened. Toyota can't see car until next week. I'm a bit nervous about driving it. I planned on taking it to upstate NY tomorrow which will involve driving at night. Now I'm not so sure. Any thoughts out there? Anyone have similar problem?
     
  2. tumbleweed

    tumbleweed Senior Member

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    Use the search function and enter "red triangle" you should get a bunch of topics. I have seen the triangle but only when I opened the door with the car turned on.

    If it has only been on a couple of times and goes out again when you shut down the car and restart it, and if the car runs OK, it might well be safe to go on a trip with. Make sure the gas cap is on tight, If the triangle comes on steady try turning off the smart key and inserting the fob into it's hole and see if it goes away when you restart the car. That might be an indication of an SKS related problem.

    Personally I would keep on driving it if it runs OK, but I wouldn't suggest doing so if you feel uncomfortable about it.

    EDIT: I just took another look at my owners manual. I think what the symbol that looks like a light means is that the headlight leveling system may be malfunctioning. You do have HID headlights don't you? If that is true your lights may be aimed way to high or to low due to a bad sensor (a fairly common problem) and you would definitely not want to drive at night.
     
  3. eagle33199

    eagle33199 Platinum Member

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    Same as tumbleweed, i've seen the light when i forget something in the house and leave the car running in the driveway while i run in to get it.

    I'm pretty sure it just means that it can't detect the smartkey. If so, i would think it would still work if the key was put in the dash, so i would guess you'll be ok.
     
  4. chun

    chun New Member

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    i had the toyota dealer replaced the sensor of the headlight auto leveling system in the end of 2005. the same sensor goes off again last weekend. luckily i just bought the extended warranty 2 months ago. the parts and labor will be covered. my questions is that the pruis technician said the sensor part is a new updated sensor/parts. did they really update the parts or they just replace it with the same one. i don't want that i have to fix the same parts every one and half years. may be the company should give out free parts for repeating fixtures. any other suggestions!
     
  5. JimN

    JimN Let the games begin!

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(chun @ Jul 10 2007, 06:40 PM) [snapback]476420[/snapback]</div>
    Chun, did you really have a problem with the car or just a problem filling out the registration form?

    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(momsum @ Oct 13 2006, 11:46 AM) [snapback]332270[/snapback]</div>
    Momsum, does this happen with both fobs? Try replacing the battery in the fob before spending all day at the dealer. If the car isn't making any strange noises I believe it is safe to drive.