Electrical or Engine Failure?

You have the combo meter failure, it is not uncommon. When this happens you will have the symptoms you see and to turn the car off push the on/off button and hold it at least 3 seconds. It usually will come about due to temperature changes and will progressively get worse until it won't light up. Til then it can be very intermittent. Go to Ebay and you will find refurb meters for purchase or exchange for diy. The dealership will order one for a exorbitant price and install.

This issue won't stop you from using your car, here is a video of how to replace it. It's not difficult, but requires being comfortable with working on cars in general.

 

Obviously wrenching it yourself is the cheapest way to go, watch the video and take your time. You don't want to introduce more problems. Good luck.

 

Combination Meter (Combo Meter) failure.

Enter your VIN here to see if there are any outstanding RECALLS (no expiration date) or Warranty Enhancements (time limited) available for your vehicle. Lookup Safety Recalls & Service Campaigns by VIN

It is a known problem, due to some faulty electronic capacitors/diodes/something. People in colder climates seem to experience this at a greater rate than warmer climate areas; just my opinion based on posts such as yours, and where the car resides.

Toyota issued a TSB (Toyota Service Bulletin) - Warranty Enhancement. Scanned copy of mine is attached, minus identifying info. The enhancement gives you NINE years from date of first use. First use is the date the car was first sold, to the first owner/leasing company/etc. Hopefully your car is w/in the nine years.

If you are w/in the NINE years, let the service writer know about the Warranty Enhancement. The problem does not need to be observed in their presence. Just your word that it happened is supposed to be enough.

If you are just over, call Corporate Toyota Customer Care (see owners manual or Toyota.com for phone number) and ask for "Goodwill Gesture." Let them know your situation. Maybe they will be nice and still cover the repair, or maybe they will cover some of the repair cost.

If you are up shite's creek, and it was me, I would just buy a repaired combo meter from Matt at Texas Hybrid Batteries. He has a good reputation here on Prius Chat, and offers a lifetime warranty on the repaired Combo Meter.

$150 for a repaired combo meter + $75 refundable core charge when you send your broken one back
Texas Prius Battery Replacement​

Read this post for 12V battery testing and benefits of an OBD2 reader like Techstream
Is my inverter coolant pump slowly failing? | PriusChat

Post #5 - how to test the12V
Post #8 - SOC (State of Charge) chart and good AGM compatible smart battery charger
Post #13 & 15 - Techstream​

In general a low 12V can cause weird issues and obviously prevent you from starting the car.
READ the owners manual on how to properly "jump" the car should the 12V be dead. Too many people have botched that, and have to deal with the problems a botched jump causes. Learn how to do it correctly, under a controlled environment, not under stress. If the need arises, you won't be that person who can't READ and follow simple instructions.

You car still has a lot of life left, and few people change the transaxle (think transmission) fluid. Read post #473, for reasons why you should. It also contains a study link of used ATF-WS fluid analysis, that shows the fluid does need to be changed. You can upgrade the transaxle drain plug if you want too.
ATF fluid changes ARE Required. | Page 24 | PriusChat
US dealer pricing seems to be in $100 range ($90-$125), for parts (4 quarts of Toytoa ATF-WS) and labor (simple drain and fill, NO FLUSHING required or possible, it is not a conventional automatic transmission).

The HV (High Voltage) Battery will fail at some point in the future. 8-10 years is the original new car warranty period, depending on where you live. Based on postings here, few people get under 8 years. Most seem to get 8-10 years. The lucky few seem to go 10+ years. When the HV Battery fails, you have four options:

1. Cheap and unreliable repair: Replace bad module = repeated whack-a-mole.
2. Expensive and unreliable IMO: "Rebuilt/Remanufactured" HV Battery. Many horror stories.
3. Most expensive but best reliability: 100% NEW, OEM HV Battery from a dealer.
4. New car or newer used car.

Read this to see what you could expect with a "rebuilt" HV Battery. Post #30 & #34 has some useful info and links to Toyota dealers who sell online. Normal corrosion on a 10-month old HV battery? | Page 2 | PriusChat

 

This was just a small part of your post, but I didn't want to overlook it, because the combo meter can probably be fixed, but you're losing future life from the car when that oil light is on.

Like most cars, the Prius doesn't have a "hey, your oil might be low, think about adding some" light. The only light it has is the "oil has fallen below pump intake, pressure is gone, and engine is eating itself right now" light.

You should plan your driving life around making sure that light never comes on. The easy way is to just habitually pull and check the dipstick every time you refuel. That's what was taught ages ago in my driver ed class, and for all the stuff that's new and different in the Prius, that part isn't.

-Chap

 

@2k1Toaster is also making a lower cost new equivalent new battery for the Prius.

 

Do you mean the oil can icon on the MFD, or the Change Oil Light on the dash?

 

ROFLMAO!!!!!

 

Most likely the maintenance light but if it has been 10,000 miles since the last oil change, I hope that 1) she is using synthetic oil and 2) the level is checked often. Just the statement that the TPMS has been lit for a while makes me feel that maintenance has been put off. Car is out of warranty for the combination meter at this point.

 

I hate to say it....
I'm probably wrong here.
But have you checked the dimmer switch dial?

I remember on my Prius it was very temperamental. I also remember unknowingly bumping it, and getting in my Prius and suddenly the dash lights were gone. It was as easy as turning them back on by adjusting the dial...but pretty scary at first.

I always felt my Prius may of had a bit of flaw with that dial, but since it "worked" as long as I didn't accidentally bump it, I never brought it up. But it was pretty touchy.

Since the OP says the dash is dead....but NOT the "tablet" for the radio controls...I'm reading that it is NOT the MFD.

 

That's a good bet for a dim display, but not for the inability to turn off the car.

If the dealer can't/won't fix it under warranty, I'll second @exstudent's suggestion to contact Matt about a rebuilt one. I seem to recall that he can program the odometer for you, too. It's not that hard to replace if you follow the video. I've had two out for cleaning. IIRC, all you need is a phillips screwdriver, a 10mm ratchet/socket w/extention, and something to pry with, preferably plastic so you don't leave marks.

 

OK...but when I read that the "Tablet" for the radio is working...
I think that means the MFD.
I assume "Tablet" means touch screen multi-function display.
Not convinced the Multi-Function Display is the problem.

 

Correct that MFD is not the problem, according to the OP:

I probably should have previously said "meter" rather than "display." Lazy choice of words.

Combo meter is the problem since she can't turn off the car. Hence, it's not the dimmer switch.

 

Raise the flag!
The rare occurrence when both of us are simultaneously right and wrong!

I was just hoping for the OP's sake...it might be as simple as a bumped dimmer switch. I know when it happened to me, my first reaction was that I had a huge problem.

But since a big symptom is also that the vehicle won't shut off....I suppose that IS indicative that it's not that simple.

 

Yes, this is a very important distinction.

One is a reminder to change the oil, the other a reminder to change the engine.

 

A convergence in the Force!

 

I wish I had the old TSB, but my 2008 had exactly the same issue. It is the combo meter, and is covered under a bulletin per others' posts (within Toyota limits). One of my local dealers didn't know about it, and tried to convince me it was past the expiration (this was a couple of years ago). From what I remember, it was unlimited miles, but 9 years (as already stated). Definitely check, and bring a printed copy of the TSB with you. They can look it up by number. Another local dealer covered it for me, no problems, no cost. They're now my new favorite dealer.

In the meantime, you can get it working again by pulling a fuse under the hood. I think it's the same fuse the radio is on.Turn the car off, pull the fuse, count a few seconds, replace it, and you're good to go. It will do it again, but if you're lucky it won't do it every morning.

I'd be interested in hearing others' takes on this: Toyota associates this with cold weather, which doesn't make sense to me. Seems to have a whole lot more to do with cold, moist weather. I had it happen most often when there was a heavy dew in the morning, like those first few weeks of fall (like right now). Once it dried out in the dead of winter, I had less of a problem. I once left a wet rag in the back by mistake and opened the door to a rainforest in the morning. Combo meter didn't work that day.

In any case, it's a known problem and easily fixable. Don't regret your purchase. I own a 2007 and 2008, and do nearly all of my own work on them, which isn't much, since they don't require much. Had one HV battery die so far and still love them. Hard to argue with 53mpg.

 

Apparently some models had Auto headlights. From the Owners Manual: