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Driving with red triangle of death / bad battery

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Wolfgang97, Aug 8, 2021.

  1. Wolfgang97

    Wolfgang97 New Member

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    Hi all, I’ve owned my 09 Prius for a few months and after 10k miles just got the red triangle of death with codes p0a80 and p3000 @ 187k. I bought it for a fair price knowing the traction battery may need replacing in the near future. I’ve been considering my options and seeing as I’m a broke student and only looking to drive the Prius through the rest of this summer I’m considering just having the bad module(s) replaced and the pack rebalanced as a short term fix until I find the 4Runner I’m looking for.. My question is:
    Can I reset the p0a80 code and drive it 20 miles to the shop without inflicting more damage or will I need it to be towed?
    Thanks,
    James
     
    #1 Wolfgang97, Aug 8, 2021
  2. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    If it will drive now just drive it to the shop. Otherwise clear the codes.
     
    #2 rjparker, Aug 8, 2021
  3. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    Op - "I'm a broke student"

    Also Op - Waiting to find the right 4Runner LOL

    If the car has the replace hybrid battery code, then you can try and swap out all the weak/failed modules, then balance the pack. That should be good enough to last a while until you can find your 4runner (gas guzzler, not for broke students)
     
    #3 JC91006, Aug 8, 2021
    SFO and Raytheeagle like this.
  4. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    A 98 4runner with a diff locker may have met the criteria;).

    Too bad I do t have one of those anymore(y).
     
    #4 Raytheeagle, Aug 8, 2021
  5. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    That’s worth $10k plus now
     
    #5 JC91006, Aug 8, 2021
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  6. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    Crazy world we live in:whistle:.

    I had a friend out here from TX who has a 2018 GMC Sierra HD and he said it is worth more now than when he bought it new:eek:.

    Was gonna do a direct swap for a new Corvette until he looked in the interior :cool:.

    May have talked him into a Model S:).

    The center console makes the flying bridge of the Gen3 Prius palatable(y).
     
    #6 Raytheeagle, Aug 8, 2021
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  7. SFO

    SFO Senior Member

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    Welcome to PriusChat!!
    Not that far south from you, see if @PriusCamper can sort you out. Most likely a better option than your mechanic.
     
    #7 SFO, Aug 8, 2021
    Raytheeagle and JC91006 like this.
  8. BuildingInspectorBrian

    BuildingInspectorBrian Junior Member

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    You won't likely inflict more damage driving it 20 miles to the shop, you will however have to reset the codes multiple times. If you have an obd capable of resetting the codes while driving it can get you there, limp mode sucks but it shouldn't leave you stranded.

    Having the bad modules replaced and rebalancing the pack can be a good short term solution. A new or aftermarket traction battery is $1,600-$2,200 and will last you 10+ years and cost you a fraction of what a 4 runner will (use the gas savings of driving the Prius to buy the 4 runner, lol).
     
    #8 BuildingInspectorBrian, Aug 9, 2021
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