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Newbie with Old Prius (I)

Discussion in 'Newbie Forum' started by SteveWlf, Oct 20, 2012.

  1. SteveWlf

    SteveWlf Old-on-Hold

    Joined:
    Oct 20, 2012
    262
    33
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    Location:
    Montesano, WA
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    II
    NewBie here, both in this forum and to my first Prius. :)
    The Prius is an "old timer", 2002 so I guess that would be a Prius I.:D
    Nice condition for 10 years but it had easy/loving care, I understand. Have seen most of the service records since it left dealer service. My biggest concern would be the main batteries since it has a whapping 276,000 miles. No record or indication that the batteries have been replaced. Also I got it at an auction of a dealer inventory. I got some history but the car condition speaks volumes. What my bid objective was Kelly low Blue Book and that is where it got it but other than the mileage, I would put it in the good to excellent range.
    On the first day of driving it, I got a the dreaded red triangle but was on my way home and it didn't effect the driving in hybrid mode. Since I have an OBDII reader and a full set of service manual, I figured I would explore this warning and run the OBDII tests. I found an unlisted code of P3191 and looked that up with a Google search and tracked it now to a Toyota service bulletin 1202, which states:
    "Unknown or other
    Summary
    Some vehicles may exhibit a master, hybrid and malfunction indicator warning light on condition if an abnormally low engine power output has been detected during a particular drive cycle."

    Not much help and no direction on how to clear the warning indicator. All this research took about an hour and when I went back to the car to erase the OBDII code, I discovered I had left the key on and the Aux. battery was dead. I jumped started the car and the warning Triangle had gone away. The OBDII code was still set so I erased that. (I should mention that the OBDII reader also indicated that the error code was an EV code.)

    Went for a test drive for at least 50 miles of stop and go plus freeway driving and no problems.

    Well so much for my introduction and I look forward to reading and discussing out related experiences and problems.

    Steve
     
    #1 SteveWlf, Oct 20, 2012
  2. stream

    stream Senior Member

    Joined:
    May 12, 2008
    2,977
    452
    14
    Location:
    Long Island, NY
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    V
    Congrats--enjoy.
     
    #2 stream, Oct 20, 2012
  3. joedirte

    joedirte Member

    Joined:
    Apr 19, 2012
    281
    58
    0
    Location:
    ohio
    Vehicle:
    2003 Prius
    Model:
    I
    Welcome.. the admins have hidden the Gen 1 forum, but there is a lot
    of great information for new owners to NHW11 and Bob Wilson has posted
    some threads recently regarding new to the old prius. There are no stickies
    since they for some reason won't even give the Gen 1 it's own subforum.
    Generation 1 Prius Discussion | PriusChat

    Who should and should NOT buy a 2001-03 Prius | PriusChat
    Introduction to traction battery rebuilding/refurbishment | PriusChat

    Toyota Prius Controls
    Oxygen sensor general info | PriusChat
    Accelerator pedal (Gen 1) | PriusChat
     
    #3 joedirte, Oct 20, 2012
  4. Former Member 68813

    Former Member 68813 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 3, 2010
    3,524
    981
    8
    Location:
    US
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    I noticed that myself. Why did they do that?
     
    #4 Former Member 68813, Mar 25, 2013
  5. dfrost7

    dfrost7 Junior Member

    Joined:
    May 18, 2007
    23
    5
    0
    Location:
    Southern California
    Yeah, why did they do that? This website should take great pride in the Prius heritage!

    To OP: I keep hearing these urban legends regarding the batteries. I can tell you from personal experience, my first Prius - bought August 2006, 200,250 miles on the engine, did need the gas motor battery replaced. NOT the main battery. This is under warranty up to 150k, according to the service department, when I had it replaced. The motor battery cost around 300 bucks, from the dealer. This, and the water pump (total bill battery + pump = 495.) , not included in the recalls, was the ONLY REPAIR made in over 200,000 miles. I don't know of another vehicle that has a reputation like Prius. Anyway, there is an urban legend about the other battery. I hear it is rarely replaced. The dealer (La Crescenta, Ca) said they've never replaced one. I don't know if this helps.

    Two weeks after replacing the battery and water pump (495), I totaled my car. I turned the receipt in to the claims adjuster, and they included the whole thing in the estimated value.
     
    #5 dfrost7, Mar 25, 2013
  6. JMD

    JMD 2012 Prius 4 Solar Roof

    Joined:
    Oct 11, 2012
    3,779
    1,282
    0
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    Wonder if it is the 12V battery? I'm not a mechanic for disclosure. I'll leave it to the Techies.
     
    #6 JMD, Mar 25, 2013
  7. dfrost7

    dfrost7 Junior Member

    Joined:
    May 18, 2007
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    Location:
    Southern California
    I'm sorry, yes, the 12v.
     
    #7 dfrost7, Mar 25, 2013
  8. JMD

    JMD 2012 Prius 4 Solar Roof

    Joined:
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    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    I recall reading that when a 12V starts to lose power plenty of things can start to go wrong that may be resolved with the 12V replacement. Before you throw a few hundred bucks at it a good start is to check it's capacity.
     
    #8 JMD, Mar 25, 2013
  9. dfrost7

    dfrost7 Junior Member

    Joined:
    May 18, 2007
    23
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    0
    Location:
    Southern California
    JMD, Thank you. I'll be taking your advice about checking the battery. My first (totaled in accident) got over 200,000 miles on the 12v. I got another '06 from the insurance with a little over 100k on it. Thank you for the heads up. I never had a car I liked as much as a Prius. I can't see myself in any other car.
     
    #9 dfrost7, Apr 12, 2013
    JMD likes this.
  10. JMD

    JMD 2012 Prius 4 Solar Roof

    Joined:
    Oct 11, 2012
    3,779
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    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    They are very popular in California. This morning going to work about 3 of us are lined up on the Freeway on ramp.
     
    #10 JMD, Apr 12, 2013
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