Prius Dashboard lights came on when started at 0degrees Farenheit!!

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Ana Hernandez, Feb 14, 2016.

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  1. Ana Hernandez

    Ana Hernandez Junior Member

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    Hello everyone,

    Today in NY the temp in the morning was 0 d F. As I started up the car I hear a rough aggressive movement coming from the engine compartment then the Ready sign, beeping and the check engine light, (Giant red triangle ! Emergency sign), and the (!) sign.
    I turned it off and one 3 times same thing, I decided to leave it and turned back home, then I noticed the battery level dropped to 2 bars from like 5 bars within 5 minutes. I did/was able to move the car back and then forth just to see if it would work, but the normal engine never came back on(on the computer screen), any thoughts on what might be going on?

    I've read various threads that say that people have no problems at running their Prius at very low temperatures, so what might be going on here? Why today?
     
    #1 Ana Hernandez, Feb 14, 2016
  2. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    If I had to guess, I would say your HV battery might be failing.
     
    #2 JC91006, Feb 14, 2016
  3. Ana Hernandez

    Ana Hernandez Junior Member

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    Nooo not the battery :(((
     
    #3 Ana Hernandez, Feb 14, 2016
  4. andrewclaus

    andrewclaus Active Member

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    If I understand the symptoms, your engine failed to start. Don't move it again if the engine doesn't start--you'll kill the HV battery for sure.

    There are many reasons a gas engine won't start in low temps, especially one that's 12 years old with presumably many miles. (When I was younger, in the 60s in Chicago, that was the often norm rather than the exception.) Could be fuel, could be ignition, maybe something just broke. If you get the codes from the OBD system, that'll be a start.
     
    #4 andrewclaus, Feb 14, 2016
  5. Ana Hernandez

    Ana Hernandez Junior Member

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    Yes the dash says "READY" but the engine isn't heard and doesn't show to turn on in the screen. I also turned the heater on and within 1 second it turned back off.
     
    #5 Ana Hernandez, Feb 14, 2016
  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    you need to read the dtc's.
     
    #6 bisco, Feb 14, 2016
  7. Ana Hernandez

    Ana Hernandez Junior Member

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    What's that?
     
    #7 Ana Hernandez, Feb 14, 2016
  8. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    diagnostic trouble codes. they hook up a computer, and the on board diagnostics (obd) tells them what is wrong.
     
    #8 bisco, Feb 14, 2016
  9. Ana Hernandez

    Ana Hernandez Junior Member

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    Oh yes definitely. So you're saying to call road side assistance? Because I think I'm not suppose to move the car from where it is.
     
    #9 Ana Hernandez, Feb 14, 2016
  10. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    you can try to start it again. that won't hurt the battery. but if the engine won't start, you'll have to have it towed. don't drive it on battery alone.
     
    #10 bisco, Feb 14, 2016
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  11. Ana Hernandez

    Ana Hernandez Junior Member

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    Thank you so much for all the info, I forgot to thank you yesterday I was in such shock.
    Today I went back out and performed a little battery test and it didn't stand within the accepted range of voltage, for the most part. Here are some pictures!
    Try#1:
    STEP 1: test voltage at MFD mode: (SHOULD be 12.4-12.8v as there's really no load on the battery) but I got 11.9v on the first try and 12.0v at the second try (not much of a difference).

    STEP 2: test voltage at ACC mode: (SHOULD read 12.0v) but I got 11.5-11.6v.

    STEP 3: test voltage at START "READY" mode: (should read 13.6-14.4v) this time I actually got 14.2v.

    The engine started again thank God, and it charged the battery, I still have some of the lights on the dash including the major one (red triangle), I got the car to move because I had to move it from the zone it was at for street cleaning, but I'm still trying to figure out what to do next. Call road side assistance at least just to get the OBD to read the DTC.
    Thank you guys so much for the help!
     

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    #11 Ana Hernandez, Feb 15, 2016
  12. Ana Hernandez

    Ana Hernandez Junior Member

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    By the way the mileage is 175,700miles Prius 2004!
    Maybe I should consider upgrading? :/
     
    #12 Ana Hernandez, Feb 15, 2016
  13. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    you might be fine. the 12v is a bit low, but not the problem. it could have just been the cold and some misfiring from unspent fuel. drive it around the block until it warms up and the engine shuts down, and see how she's operating.
     
    #13 bisco, Feb 15, 2016
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  14. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    upgrading is always a good idea, and prius are cheap right now.
     
    #14 bisco, Feb 15, 2016
  15. Ana Hernandez

    Ana Hernandez Junior Member

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    Did you see the pictures I posted? Do you know what the little orange/pink symbol on the top right corner of the display means?
     
    #15 Ana Hernandez, Feb 15, 2016
  16. Ana Hernandez

    Ana Hernandez Junior Member

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    Yes definitely, but considering that I am a student and part time worker anything is expensive haha. But if definitely love an upgrade even though I've come to love my Luna :(
     
    #16 Ana Hernandez, Feb 15, 2016
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  17. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    the symbols are all in your owners manual. you can try disconnecting the negative battery cable fro a few minutes and see if that clears the lights, but don't do it if you want to have the codes read.
     
    #17 bisco, Feb 15, 2016
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  18. wjtracy

    wjtracy Senior Member

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    Ana - nice looking car there sorry. You know the cold probably played a role in the lights, as the cold weather does not usually hurt the battery, but it does greatly reduce the power output. So wonder if you warmed it up it that might help. Although perhaps this is a sign of old battery.
     
    #18 wjtracy, Feb 15, 2016
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  19. andrewclaus

    andrewclaus Active Member

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    From my owner's manual: (e) Hybrid System Warning Light (shows a picture of the symbol in your picture) This light comes on if there is a problem in the electric motor, inverter unit, hybrid battery, etc. If this light is on, stop your vehicle in a safe place immediately and contact your Toyota dealer. Even if the hybrid system warning light comes on, you can temporarily increase the vehicle speed by depressing the accelerator pedal. Immediately pull up your vehicle to a safe place and contact your Toyota dealer.

    I would edit that to include a qualified independent hybrid mechanic. You really need to get the DTCs read.
     
    #19 andrewclaus, Feb 15, 2016
  20. wjtracy

    wjtracy Senior Member

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    ...also Ana the 12v batt can be the cause if its weak at 0 deg F just really takes the power out of batteries, but warming up will improve the power
     
    #20 wjtracy, Feb 15, 2016
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