Sudden lights and warnings and codes

Hello,

Sorry for the long story but all the facts are important to my question:

I have a 2007 prius with 140,000 miles on it, and other the the recirculation pump and a battery I have had good luck with it.

A few days ago as I was leaving work, (driving in the parking lot at >5 mph car was cold) suddenly the dash board lit up with the check engine light, the brake warning light and the red triangle along with an loud beep.

I parked the car and let it sit for a while and when I restarted it, the brake warning light was off but the red triangle and check engine remained on. The car seemed to run normally, so I took a chance and drove it home without incident.

The next day I took it to Autozone and they put a diagnostic meter on it and the only code they came up with refereed to the mass air handler. On the drive home from Autozone, all warning lights disappeared and everything suddenly seemed normal.

I cleaned the mass air handler and assumed the problem was resolved.

Two days later, leaving work, again the 3 lights and the beep and this time the battery cooling fan came on (car was cold).

Assuming there were codes Autozone was not getting, I ordered a mini VCI to check for my self.
Meanwhile, my research led me to checking the normal battery in the car, which I had replaced about 4 years ago.

When I checked the battery, I discovered the voltage was 10.4, so I put it on a charger.

Meanwhile, I received the VCI and the Techstram software, hooked it up and got a BUNCH of error codes:

P3000, P0A80, P3011, P3013. C1241, C1310, C124, C159,

Which all seem to point to a major malfunction in the hybrid system.

Since there were no symptoms of any kind, it seems odd that everything suddenly went south, not that it cannot happen, or maybe that is exactly how it happens, suddenly and without warning.

I have read, however, that low voltage on the normal battery can wreak havoc on the computer and result in false warnings.

So my question:

Can low voltage on the normal battery trigger a bunch of error codes related to the HV batteries that are incorrect?

IF there is a chance these codes are the result of a bad normal battery, they I will replace it, clear the codes and see what happens, however if there is no way a low normal battery could trigger the lights, the fan, and the error codes, then I will avoid spending the $100+ on a new one and respond accordingly.

And the "take it to the dealer" idea is not an option as our local dealer has a reputation of dishonesty in the service dept and there is no doubt what his diagnostic conclusion would be.

In reading this forum it is clear that I can count on clear and helpful responses with good advice.

Thank you for your time.

 

Hello,

Sorry for the long story but all the facts are important to my question:

I have a 2007 prius with 140,000 miles on it, and other the the recirculation pump and a battery I have had good luck with it.

A few days ago as I was leaving work, (driving in the parking lot at >5 mph car was cold) suddenly the dash board lit up with the check engine light, the brake warning light and the red triangle along with an loud beep.

I parked the car and let it sit for a while and when I restarted it, the brake warning light was off but the red triangle and check engine remained on. The car seemed to run normally, so I took a chance and drove it home without incident.

The next day I took it to Autozone and they put a diagnostic meter on it and the only code they came up with refereed to the mass air handler. On the drive home from Autozone, all warning lights disappeared and everything suddenly seemed normal.

I cleaned the mass air handler and assumed the problem was resolved.

Two days later, leaving work, again the 3 lights and the beep and this time the battery cooling fan came on (car was cold).

Assuming there were codes Autozone was not getting, I ordered a mini VCI to check for my self.
Meanwhile, my research led me to checking the normal battery in the car, which I had replaced about 4 years ago.

When I checked the battery, I discovered the voltage was 10.4, so I put it on a charger.

Meanwhile, I received the VCI and the Techstram software, hooked it up and got a BUNCH of error codes:

P3000, P0A80, P3011, P3013. C1241, C1310, C124, C159,

Which all seem to point to a major malfunction in the hybrid system.

Since there were no symptoms of any kind, it seems odd that everything suddenly went south, not that it cannot happen, or maybe that is exactly how it happens, suddenly and without warning.

I have read, however, that low voltage on the normal battery can wreak havoc on the computer and result in false warnings.

So my question:

Can low voltage on the normal battery trigger a bunch of error codes related to the HV batteries that are incorrect?

IF there is a chance these codes are the result of a bad normal battery, they I will replace it, clear the codes and see what happens, however if there is no way a low normal battery could trigger the lights, the fan, and the error codes, then I will avoid spending the $100+ on a new one and respond accordingly.

And the "take it to the dealer" idea is not an option as our local dealer has a reputation of dishonesty in the service dept and there is no doubt what his diagnostic conclusion would be.

In reading this forum it is clear that I can count on clear and helpful responses with good advice.

Thank you for your time.

 

Thank you for the prompt response.

Yes, we are in Southwest Florida and my car sits outside year round.

So you think there is a chance that the 12v is the culprit?

I have not seen a hybrid gid charger for the prius, where might I look for one?

 

Thanks

 

whoops... my first time posting here.... must have hit the post reply button twice....sorry.

 

It sure is!