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Help! On vacation in isolation, Malfunction Light on!

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by michael1962, Oct 3, 2008.

  1. michael1962

    michael1962 New Member

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    Hi All,

    My girlfriend and I are using her 2001 Prius while on a little getaway on the West Coast of California. While driving on an isolated stretch of road to get to the coast the car died and a malfunction light (red asterisk going through a red car) symbol showed up. I managed to find a place to pull out. Turned off the car, it restarted, and we made our way to the Bed and Breakfast place we are stay at (where I am typing this now). I was using the fan to cool things which I turned off before restarting the car.

    The nearest car dealership is about 40 miles away and the only way to get there is via single track country roads. So the question is, does anyone have an idea what the problem is, and can I continue to drive this car for the next 2 days before going back? It seems to drive fine, but the malfunction light is on.

    Thanks for any advice or suggestions. Trying to still have a good weekend if possible.

    Michael
     
    #1 michael1962, Oct 3, 2008
  2. SCfromSC

    SCfromSC I take my gas in a sippy cup

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    Call a tow truck.
     
    #2 SCfromSC, Oct 3, 2008
  3. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    Hi Michael,

    The car with exclamation point symbol is the hybrid vehicle warning icon. I presume that it showed up on the multifunction display located in the center of the dash?

    Please report any other warning lights that have turned on, such as the red triangle with exclamation point. That is the master warning light.

    The hybrid vehicle warning icon is not a good light to see. The car may have a variety of problems:

    inverter coolant pump failure
    inverter failure
    transaxle failure
    traction battery failure

    My immediate guess, since the car is still functioning, is that the inverter coolant pump has failed. Try making the car IG-ON where the instrument panel warning lights are all on, but the car is not READY. Listen for the inverter coolant pump located near the driver's side headlight. It sounds like an aquarium water pump and you should not hear any air in the pump.

    Can you hear the pump running?
     
    #3 Patrick Wong, Oct 3, 2008
  4. tochatihu

    tochatihu Senior Member

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    Besides the sound test, you can visually observe the inverter pump function in the mode Patrick describes. Open the hood and look at the inverter coolant reservoir. Up high, centered and near the firewall. White plastic tank, black cap, full of red or pink liquid. When the pump is going good, the liquid level in the front (towards front of car) section will be at least 1/2 inch higher than the rear, and it should look turbulent/active in there.

    If the pump is not going well, you cannot safely drive the car. Good luck.
     
    #4 tochatihu, Oct 3, 2008
  5. michael1962

    michael1962 New Member

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    Hi Patrick,

    I did as you said. I seemed to hear the pump come on, it did not sound as if there was air in the line, and then it went off after about 15-20 seconds? I went ahead and started the car, and now that the car has not been running for about 2-3 hours, none of the warning lights come on. And yes, the triangle with the exclamation point did come on originally.

    It is really tow truck time?:(

    Thanks,

    Michael
     
    #5 michael1962, Oct 3, 2008
  6. michael1962

    michael1962 New Member

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    Hi Tochatihu,

    Thanks for that suggestion. I will need to look at this tomorrow, as it is getting dark. Thanks again for the suggestion.

    Michael
     
    #6 michael1962, Oct 3, 2008
  7. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    Hi Michael,

    The inverter coolant pump should be running at all times when the car is either IG-ON or READY. If the pump is not running, then the inverter will eventually overheat and the car will shutdown, just as you've experienced.

    Hence, if you've determined that the pump is not running continuously, you can probably drive the car ~20 miles in moderate weather from a cold start, before the warning lights will come on. It's supposed to rain on Saturday in much of central and southern California, so that may be a good time to drive the car.

    If you have a problem, then turn the car off and let it cool down, you may be able to proceed after a waiting period. Since you say that the dealer is 40 miles away, you may not be able to make the journey non-stop.

    On the other hand, you run some risk of damaging the inverter by continuing to drive the car; and if you have some other problem besides the coolant pump, then you may be stranded. If you have a cooler and can bring along a couple bags of ice, maybe you can strap a bag of ice to the top of the inverter to help keep it cool.

    If you have good cell-phone service throughout the 40 mile journey to the dealer, then it may be worthwhile trying to drive the car to the dealer - since presumably you can call for towing assistance if required. If not, then it probably would be safer and better to have the car towed.
     
    #7 Patrick Wong, Oct 4, 2008
  8. michael1962

    michael1962 New Member

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    Hi Patrick,

    Thanks you so much for your responses. I think given the situation we will have the car towed. Unfortunately neither of our cell phones has any coverage here, and I'm not willing to risk burning up the inverter or getting stuck out in no-where (most of the road with no shoulder).

    We have towing coverage so it shouldn't be too bad for us with that regards. My initial hope was that the problem wouldn't be so bad, but now that I know more, I'm not going to take any chances.

    Thanks again,

    Sincerely,

    Michael
     
    #8 michael1962, Oct 4, 2008
  9. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    Hi Michael,

    Sounds good. Please let us know the diagnosis and resolution for the problem. Sorry that your vacation was impacted by this failure.
     
    #9 Patrick Wong, Oct 4, 2008
  10. michael1962

    michael1962 New Member

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    Well,

    I just had a chance to look at the inverter coolant reservoir. When I first put the ignition to the 'on' position I hear an audible sound that lasts for about 15-20 seconds. I can see the fluid churning in the reservoir. After the initial 15-20 second whine which peters out, I can see the fluid in the reservoir moving, though the movement seems to be diminished. I observed this for a couple of minutes and there was movement in the reservoir the entire time. Is the movement supposed to be vigorous? Also, what is the initial sound that I am hearing when I turn the key to the 'on' position.

    This doesn't change the fact that we will be calling a tow truck tomorrow, but I'm just curious now.

    Thanks,

    Michael
     
    #10 michael1962, Oct 4, 2008
  11. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    Hi Michael,

    Maybe you are hearing the fuel pump? That part is within the fuel tank at the rear of the car. The inverter coolant pump is near the driver's side headlamp, and really sounds like an aquarium water pump.

    Regarding the fluid movement in the reservoir, with Classic models you should see a step in the level, where the reservoir level at the front is higher compared to the level elsewhere in the reservoir.
     
    #11 Patrick Wong, Oct 4, 2008
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