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2005 Toyota Prius Driving everyone crazy!

Discussion in 'Newbie Forum' started by MagickCat, Sep 28, 2018.

  1. MagickCat

    MagickCat New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 28, 2018
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    Location:
    Arizona
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Ok, so a little over a year ago my daughter got a 2005 Toyota Prius and it worked great for several months. Then one afternoon while driving it she got the red triangle of death and we put it on a code reader and the code was for the inverter pump so I picked up a new one and we changed it out, no problem. Three months later she gets the triangle again with the same code. We checked the pump and it didn't seam to be working so we changed it out again but this time a few days later she gets the triangle again but the pump is working fine so we check the 12v battery and find it is reading about 9.6 so she buys a new one and we put it in.
    A few days later triangle comes back on. Pump is find battery is fine so we start checking fuses and pull the fuse for the pump and other then a bit of corrosion its fine. So we put it back in and the light goes off and stays off for a few months before she gets it again. Still showing the code for the Pump. We check the pump get a new one and replace it but the light is still on.
    So we check the battery the fans and the hybrid battery all fine. Put the car back together and the light is off. She drives it for a little over 2 months before the triangle appears again. This time we take it to a mechanic and he says the problem is the radiator fans.
    We buy new one he replaced it and drives the car around say the codes are gone and the car in fine. She drives it less the 24hrs and again gets the triangle. Takes it back to the mechanic and he is getting the same code as always but can't find a thing wrong with the car.
    He calls another mechanic that specializes in the prius and they just tell him "no problem, bring it in and we will replace the pump for $300.
    Since we already know the pump is working this isn't helpful.
    If anyone has any ideals on what is wrong with this car please help.
     
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
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    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    welcome!

    how many miles on her?
     
  3. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    Mar 3, 2012
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    Location:
    Pacific Northwest, USA
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Well... Seems the circuit that triggers the inverter pump failure code has something wrong with it and based on what you've already done I'd be taking a look at the inverter system itself. Perhaps something in there is heating up and the computer keeps blaming the heat on a pump failure rather than the inverter. Hopefully others on here who know inverters better than I will have a better idea of what to look for. But if I were you I'd study the various temps inside the inverter when its running in as many ways as possible. Then I'd probably pull the inverter to clean, inspect and test circuits in it.
     
  4. TMR-JWAP

    TMR-JWAP Senior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 12, 2016
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    Location:
    Columbia, SC
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    Purchase an OBD adapter to allow you to link with the car using bluetooth and an android phone. The "Hybrid Assistant" app, along with others, will allow you to "live" monitor inverter temperatures etc. A very good adapter like OBD Link LX can be had for about 50 bucks. The app is free.

    That way you can see what is really going on instead of just guessing.

    Or get Techstream.

    I'd be concerned about the possibility there's been troubleshooting of the wrong things. Get a real code reading and post.

    Also, if you actually had corrosion on the fuse, I'd be a bit scared about the possible corrosion in/underneath the fuse receptacle itself.

    If worse comes to worse, run new wires for the pump and see what happens.
     
    Skibob and PriusCamper like this.
  5. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
    Pacific Northwest, USA
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Also here's a buyers guide for OBD2... There's so many bad devices on the market: priusapp.com/obd
     
    Skibob and SFO like this.