The car. It just stopped.

Soooo many possibilities, but if you turn it off, wait several more minutes, then try it again. If it goes ready after cooling for a while, it was probably an inverter overheat problem. That would fall in line with an inverter cooling pump failure. Have you been having any problems with your air conditioner recently? It's usually one of the first things to start acting funny when inverter temp goes high.

 

1) A multitued of possibilites could case the issue. So get the codes read.
2) Based on your description, it sounds like a failed inverter pump. When the Inverter begins to overheat, you get idiot/warning lights. Failure to pull over immediately and troubleshoot the problem or get a tow, can lead to more expensive repairs. The inverter may possibly be toast now.
3)

Several HOURS, not minutes, will definetly allow the Inverter loop to cool down, to possibly being driveable again.
65C-111C (149F-232F) seems to be the range for the Inverter coolant temp; What IS the maximum acceptable inverter temp?? | PriusChat

4)

ONE HOUR is insufficient for Inverter coolant temp to cool down.

When the Inverter begins to overheat, unnecessary electrical demands are cut off (ie Air Conditioning), to lower the electrical demands/heat build-up on the Inverter. As the Inverter temp continues to rise and approach critical/danger levels, the car will begin to shut things down and ultimately shut itself off, to protect itself from you.

In the future, when you see warning messages, PULL OVER!!!! Something major or minor may be amiss.

5) Check for fluid movement in the Inverter coolant overflow bottle.
5a) Car OFF, open engine hood, open Inverter coolant overflow bottle. Notice the calm/stillness of the coolant.
5b) Make car IG-ON or READY. Do you see fluid movement (a calm flowing gentle stream)? If the area is quiet enough, you will hear the inverter pump (sounds like an aquarium air pump).
5C) If you do not see fluid movement/hear the Inverter pump, you have a failed Inverter pump. Replace, and all should be well, unless the Inverter is fried.

 

Yeah sudden precipitous failure, often it's the inverter.

 

No, I wouldn't guess that.

 

No clue really, but I've heard when inverters die they stay dead.

 

It will have logged the codes if your dash lit up like that. The DTC's hold the key. There are many ways to read the codes. Just make sure it is a hybrid compatible code reader. Not just a cheap obd2 scan tool.

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YES, if the Inverter is not fried.

But, I will assume you continued to drive despite the vehicle SCREAMING at you for help (lots of warning lights), resulting in the vehicle shutting down.

Did your 'guy' retrieve the codes?

 

One guy or gal on here put tape over all the lights because "the car was running fine". I'm like WOW!

That person's next post will probably be. Prius just dies out of nowhere.

 

Your statement reminds me of a couple Sellers when I was in the market. There would be warnings on the dash, and they'd say something like, "I've been driving with this for a year, and nothing's happened yet".

 

Right! I just snooker when I hear that. I can't believe people will continue to drive knowing a car is basically crying out for help. Then act surprised when it finally give out on them. Like, the darnedest thing happened today. After only 2 years of my car roaring like a lion, my wheel just fell off. SMH!

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