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Red Triangle!

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by PristinePrius, Mar 8, 2016.

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  1. PristinePrius

    PristinePrius Junior Member

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    Pulled into a parking spot and shut off the car for a good minute to run a quick errand. Returned and car started as usual but not even a minute into driving the red triangle comes up, along with orange check engine light, and orange circle that has an exclamation in it and a red square on the touch screen that has a car on it that looks like it has a line thru it. When I started up the car before the lights came on, the battery was really low and on the pink side, and even driving to the house it was still pink, but then rose to a complete full green battery. FullSizeRender.jpg IMG_0831.JPG My boyfriend thought maybe the lights came on cause he didn't shut passenger door correctly. Thankfully we lived around the corner. Turned off the car, shut the door, then turned it back on again and the lights were still there. "Problem" was on the main screen. Any ideas?
     
    #1 PristinePrius, Mar 8, 2016
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    sounds like it went south, how many miles on her?
     
    #2 bisco, Mar 8, 2016
  3. PristinePrius

    PristinePrius Junior Member

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    We got it used and it had 174,000 on it, now were at 233,907
     
    #3 PristinePrius, Mar 8, 2016
  4. TonyPSchaefer

    TonyPSchaefer Your Friendly Moderator
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    It takes 3 - 4 OFF/ON cycles to clear any codes - assuming the codes will clear.

    The sudden Pink-to-Green battery thing is not right.
     
    #4 TonyPSchaefer, Mar 8, 2016
  5. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    This sounds like the classic warning signs of a failing hybrid battery.
     
    #5 JC91006, Mar 8, 2016
  6. 3prongpaul

    3prongpaul Hybrid Shop Owner, worked on 100's of Prius's

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    Your hybrid battery may be toast if the state of charge display is jumping around erratically, normally you shouldn't see fully charged "all green" battery nor it change from full to empty or vice versa over a short period of time.

    You should have a shop or someone with a scanner do a diagnostic scan on the car. In most states (except California) Parts stores like AutoZone or Oreilly will scan the car for free. While their scanners won't give you 100% of the Hybrid codes the scan will be helpful in the diagnostics. The warning lights only tell you there is a problem, not what the problem is.

    Also, with 200k+ miles you should be checking the engine oil every 1000 miles or so and topping up if necessary. If you're in SOCAL Avi at Hybridfix.com (near LAX) is a good independent Prius shop.
     
    #6 3prongpaul, Mar 8, 2016
    usnavystgc, JC91006 and TonyPSchaefer like this.
  7. usnavystgc

    usnavystgc Die Hard DIYer and Ebike enthusiast.

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    I second the recommendation for Avi at Hybridfix.com. I find him extremely helpful and professional.
     
    #7 usnavystgc, Mar 8, 2016
  8. PristinePrius

    PristinePrius Junior Member

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    Literally just had the oil changed last week along with the serpentine belt. I checked the 12v battery and the numbers seem to be fine. I can't even afford to take it anywhere right now. A dead 12v battery is one thing, but if it's the main battery, I'm ***watch your language on Priuschat***
     
    #8 PristinePrius, Mar 8, 2016
    Last edited by a moderator: Mar 8, 2016
  9. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    It's not surprising that a 2004 prius with 200,000+ miles would need a replacement hybrid battery. It's due
     
    #9 JC91006, Mar 8, 2016
    Last edited: Mar 9, 2016
  10. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    try hometown hybrids in houston. they are a member here and reputable. perhaps they can help you with cost.
    whoops, thought you were in taxes. what town are you in? i think member 'avi' is in l.a.
     
    #10 bisco, Mar 8, 2016
  11. PristinePrius

    PristinePrius Junior Member

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    San Bernardino, CA
     
    #11 PristinePrius, Mar 8, 2016
  12. exstudent

    exstudent Senior Member

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    #12 exstudent, Mar 8, 2016
  13. PristinePrius

    PristinePrius Junior Member

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    Ok so pulled the codes. Got a P1121 fuel air metering & a P0A8o replace hybrid battery back. I was really hoping that wasn't the case. My question is, does anyone think or have had a similar experience this and tried to "trade in" the car back to Toyota? For me, it just doesn't make sense to even get the work done of a refurbished battery pack and put that money into a 12 year old car already with 200,00+ miles on it. I love my car, I really do. But wether I get a refurbished or completely new one (either way a lot of money) the warranty itself doesn't seem worth it. I don't want to be back in the same hole again in a year from now if the "new" pack even lasts that long.
     
    #13 PristinePrius, Mar 9, 2016
  14. 3prongpaul

    3prongpaul Hybrid Shop Owner, worked on 100's of Prius's

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    A new battery (From Toyota) will work as well as when the car was new and will last many years. An indendent shop should be able to install it for $2700-$3400. As your (broken) car sits right now it has a market value of $500-$1000.

    The question is, can you buy a car for $2500-$3000 that will be as good as your old Prius? If not, you're best bet is repairing the car you know. Any used car you buy is going to need some kind of maintenance and cheaper ones may need expensive repairs. A new car will will come with a long term monthly payment.

    One benefit of a new battery is the battery is a reasonably portable asset. For example, if the engine were to blow up or the car get in a wreck it could easily be removed and sold or installed into another Gen2 Prius so it is not a sunk cost for only your Prius like a paintjob or similar.

    You can also get a refurbished battery, but YMMV and I don't recommend them unless you want to get rid of the Prius in the next year or so. If you go refurbished make sure you get a written warranty from a reputable business, don't buy from a "guy on craigslist" who works out of his car or an internet battery vendor out of state.
     
    #14 3prongpaul, Mar 9, 2016
    exstudent likes this.
  15. usnavystgc

    usnavystgc Die Hard DIYer and Ebike enthusiast.

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    Why don't you give Avi a call and see what he can do for you?
     
    #15 usnavystgc, Mar 9, 2016
  16. exstudent

    exstudent Senior Member

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    When a new HV Battery is installed by anyone other than a Toyota dealer, 12months/unlimited mileage warranty.
    If the HV Battery is installed by a Toyota dealership, you get 3 years/unlimited mileage warranty.

    I am not aware of any HV packs from a new Prius or as new replacement HV Pack, failing within 1 year or 3 years.

    See what San Bernardino Toy will charge for labor install. Cry on the phone to get some sympathy. Maybe you have a relative who is a senior for a senior discount? AAA discount? Essentially "please help me, I'm poor but want to keep my Prius running, and can't afford a new or CPO used car."

    Consider dropping comprehensive and collision, if you have these two. Here's a link with a good explanation of when to consider dropping these. Do I need comprehensive and collision insurance? | CarInsurance.com
     
    #16 exstudent, Mar 9, 2016
    Last edited: Mar 10, 2016
  17. 3prongpaul

    3prongpaul Hybrid Shop Owner, worked on 100's of Prius's

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    #17 3prongpaul, Mar 9, 2016
  18. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    where did you get it? maybe they will trade you up to something a bit better for cheap. go with an old camry or something.
     
    #18 bisco, Mar 9, 2016
  19. PristinePrius

    PristinePrius Junior Member

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    I got it at Redlands Toyota here in Cali for just under $8 grand w/ fees etc. The car has given zero problems really in the four years that's we've had it. We're the second owners but bought it as is. We're actually considering upgrading, so for the time being car less and saving. That's why I asked if anyone had experience or heard of trying to sell back the car for a partial down payment towards something else. God do I miss my '88 Toyota Camry.
     
    #19 PristinePrius, Mar 10, 2016
  20. 3prongpaul

    3prongpaul Hybrid Shop Owner, worked on 100's of Prius's

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    A dealer will only pay around $500 for a G2 Prius with high mileage that needs a Hybrid battery, especially nowadays with cheap gas. You can get more selling it yourself on craigslist or PriusChat as a "mechanics special", then use the cash as a down payment on a different car, if that's what you want to do....or your can trade it for an 88 (or 93) Camry :)

    Toyota Recalls 1993 Camry Due To Fact That Owners Really Should Have Bought Something New By Now - The Onion - America's Finest News Source
     
    #20 3prongpaul, Mar 10, 2016
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