Red triangle, VSC, Check engine - Can I drive it 10 miles?

It sounds like your HV battery may have failed. If you are in WA, your warranty is also expired. However due to the low mileage on your car, you may be able to ask Toyota HQ for some assistance in replacement. You would first have to bring it to Toyota to get it diagnose.

If the car is driving ok, you can probably drive it to your trusted mechanic. You can reset the car by disconnecting the negative terminal on your 12v battery for about 10 seconds. This should reset the car when you reconnect it. The car's computer will have to pick up the car's problem before the lights come back on.

 

do you have any pets?

 

Sadly Washington State has a worthless CARB Adoption: Starts 2009 model year, but doesn't get the longer 10yr/150,000mile HV Battery warranty. You only get the Federal warranty of 8yr/100,000miles.

Make sure the HV battery fan gets cleaned if a new or rebuilt HV battery pack is installed.

If you plan to keep the Prius a lot longer, hopefully you have been getting the transaxle drain/fill at 60,000mile intervals (ideally shorter intervals). This link contains emperical evidence on importance of changing the transaxle fluid.

Since you will likely be diagnosed with an HV Battery failure, do as JC recommends and contact Toyota for any assistance. Best case you pay a percentage of the total repair bill. If they won't give you any break and you can DIY, you should be able to save quite a lot on the labour side and a little on the part side by ordering a battery (but you'll have to pick-up as most dealers no longer ship the HV Battery), then install yourself or have a shop do it for you. It's possible that the current dealer that has your car might price match another Toyota dealers online price for a HV battery.

Good luck.

 

Shawnna, I would be interested in who your trusted shop is. Or, if anyone else reading this can recommend a good shop or dealer service in the South Sound area, I would be most appreciative. My 2006 with just under 150K miles just channeled Shawnna's car tonight, and exhibited exactly the same conditions. I'm a DIYer, but I guess I have to take her to someone to get the codes pulled, and it would be great to start someplace with a good rep!

 

wow, that almost never happens. all the best to both of you.

 

Thank you, I will contact them!

Thanks. I just can't believe the timing either. The dashboard full-o-lights happened when my wife was on the way to get a new starter for our other vehicle, so now I have 2 crippled vehicles in the driveway... I just picked up a new 12V for the Prius this morning since she has the 11 year old OEM in her now, about to install that. I KNOW it was going out, and had planned to replace it week after next anyway. I'm hoping she had confused systems due to the nearly-dead AUX battery, so we'll see what happens with the new juice.

 

Well I wouldn't be surprised if the 12v battery is causing your warning lights. It may be fixed once you put the battery in

 

Yes, the "dashboard full-o-lights" syndrome has many causes. Replacing an 11 year old battery would likely be a good place to start.

 

I'm betting this is the inverter coolant pump. I had these exact same symptoms when mine failed. Have them check the inverter coolant reservoir for flow/turbulence. I'm betting there is none.

 

Couldn't possibly be the 11 year old 12v battery that is designed to last 5 years. And that you CAN replace yourself. Whatever you do, replace the most expensive, unlikely part first. Do not change oil, do not replace filters,do not replace tires, do not let the owners' manual or logic enter your decision.

 

There are 2 users with similar symptoms.......not 1 user.

The AGM batteries are actually designed to last longer than 5 years, some actually go 8 years without problems. It's just how well you maintain it while it's in service. Most enthusiasts on this site suggest you replace at 5 years, just so you won't get stranded. Doesn't mean the battery is dead at 5 years.

 

Some people choose to run out of gas and act surprised. Some people choose to use batteries beyond their design life and act surprised. To each his own.

 

Actually the 2006 battery is not 11 years old, it's only 9 years old.....which makes more sense. Not sure I've read about a battery going 11 years yet.

 

I believe you have a very good case to get assistance from Toyota. Wait til Monday and make the call.

$2400 for a NEW battery is a good price, but it's expensive for a new refurbished battery.