2006 Prius - Maybe inverter? My mechanic said he can't help me!

Welcome to PriusChat!!

Likely this mechanic doesn't have a toyota hybrid compatible OBD2 code scanner. Were there any 'warning lights' displayed on the dash?

It sounds like the inverter coolant pump could be acting up, was it ever replaced? you can check for dealer related maintenance or recalls by running the VIN at : Welcome to Toyota Owners

Not sure I would drive it around given the known issues, do you have free towing or a plan B if it leaves you stranded on the side of the road?

Where in the Seattle metroplex are you located, as @PriusCamper would likely read the OBD2 codes for you (if they're present or stored).

 

Welcome. Sorry about your breakdown.

Yup, it sounds like something broke and your mechanic just doesn't have a Prius literate code reader.

One guess that comes to mind is the inverter pump as @SFO pointed out. The whirring sound he heard could be the brake pump or the inverter pump or the air conditioner, or ???. Probably normal.

Another guess that pops into my mind is some sort of fuel delivery problem causing it to starve at high speed but not at low speed. But I would expect a check engine light and codes that even a non prius reader would find.

The only way to find out without spending a million dollars on parts guessing is to take it to a place that can talk to all of the computers in your car.

 

Maybe you can have your mechanic check the air filter and possibly clean the MAF sensor and throttle body. At such low mileage (low for these type of cars), I would only look into problem areas where a car isn't driven much can produce. Maybe the gas is bad or it's low on gas? Maybe try topping off the tank with some super unleaded and see what happens.

 

On a side note, @SusanR, if you reply by clicking on "Start a Conversation, no one else can see that reply. Use the "Write your reply" field at the bottom of the thread so others know what's going on. (Unless you actually want a private conversation.)

 

I would take it to a dealer and spend an hour of diagnostic labor. Just don't ok their laundry list if they generate one. Ask for detailed codes and pricing if needed. Or find a hybrid specific shop of which I am sure there are several with good ratings in Seattle. In most cases an inverter failure would stop the car and light up the dash like a Christmas tree. Its more likely to be something else but if it were an inverter the price would be 1/3 or less than your guy's estimate, with used parts also viable and even less expensive. A bad spark coil can act just as bad.

 

Don't use the reply button. Write your reply in this box. Then post reply. Otherwise, you'll never get those four posts.

 

No check engine light or red triangle?

 

Just "The Maintenance Required light was on.", or so I was told via PM.

 

Did the 'cruise' control indicator light blink at all?

 

I got that email, too. I've even sent her a picture showing how to reply normally, but she still can't get it figured out.

 

@Tideland Prius, can you offer any help to @SusanR? She keeps emailing me asking for help posting to her own thread and none of my advice seems to help. Thanks!

I sent her a picture of the reply field at the bottom of this thread, but it seems that she still got the error.

 

Thanks!