Help Please! Red Triangle?Problem No Start!

Discussion in 'Generation 1 Prius Discussion' started by renerenerenerene, Jan 31, 2012.

  1. renerenerenerene

    renerenerenerene New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 31, 2012
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    Location:
    Dallas, TX
    Vehicle:
    2002 Prius
    Model:
    One
    Recently I'd been getting the red triangle after attempting a start periodically. I thought this was due to my battery terminal which continues to get loose.. small adjustment good to go.

    However, a new beast has emerged over the weekend. Tried to start.. got Problem on the display screen as well as the red triangle of death. After doing a few adjustments with the terminal connections on the 12v.. try again. It starts and appears to be good in park no red triangle etc.. once changed into R or D and going 3 feet or so it just dies. After trying 20 plus times through trial and error to figure out what was going on.. Note fine in P for the most part a few times triangle did come up immediately but not as often.

    It won't even turn over at this point.. makes a sluggish start noise but won't completely turn over. Tested 12v and charged... charger says its good. Adjusted fuse block and terminal connections, even replaced one of the terminals giving trouble. Fuse block when disconnected and reconnected previously would give more spark than it's giving currently (when touching the terminal post). Tried Jumping... no avail. Tried disconnecting 12v and Orange Plug for 10 minutes to reset... made no difference.

    Any further tips would be definitely welcome as it's broke down hours away ATM. My next solution is OBDII and see about codes.. I just don't know where to start.. was thinking fuse block but? Thanks in advance!!!
     
  2. tv4fish

    tv4fish Member

    Joined:
    Oct 21, 2011
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    Location:
    Minnesota
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II
    We may need some more specific info. here --- Are you saying one of your battery cables is loose on the battery terminal -- OR the battery "post" itself is loose in the battery ??? Is this the original battery or a replacement??? If a replacement - how old is it?? As always - the more specific info. given make it easier to help rather than "guessing"
     
  3. seilerts

    seilerts Battery Curmudgeon

    Joined:
    Mar 7, 2010
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    Location:
    Santa Fe, NM
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Sounds like a transaxle/MG/HV battery problem. At this point, you need codes to know where to go next. An OBD reader may not give you everything.
     
  4. Rokeby

    Rokeby Member

    Joined:
    Jan 21, 2008
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    Location:
    Ballamer, Merlin
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    +1 on the need for more detailed/specific info.

    Two parts of the OP raise red flags:
    It has been said before that sparking during an attempted jump start
    can result in damage -- ~$2K? -- to one of the ECUs. I don't remember
    which one it is. At this point, this can't be ruled out.

    Reconnecting the orange HV plug is a two step process. Often the
    second "locking" step is not completed. This may be contributing
    to the current ( ;) ) situation.