Need Advice! [Red Triangle of Death]

Just got the dreaded red triangle of death. In addition, the orange exclamation point symbol (with circles around it) also came on, as well as the VSC, and check engine light symbols. I've posted here many times before. I'm the guy who lives in his Prius.

I drove about 70 miles today, to my physical therapy and back. Car was driving just fine, and I even stopped to fill the tank about 5 minutes before it happened.

I noticed 2 small jolts/lurches that the Prius did immediately before the dashboard lit up (couple of minutes prior maybe). I don't know if they were related to the issue, but I'm guessing yes somehow.

Not sure if I should've stopped right after the triangle came on, but I was on the highway and very close to where I've been staying (about 2 miles), which is a truck stop, so I finished the trip okay and the car is now parked in a good spot.

This is very surprising, as again, no warning signs whatsoever. The car has been operating same as always.

A few questions, as my situation is different than most since I live in my vehicle...

*I have the Autel MaxiAP 2000 which I bought a while ago based on the suggestions here. Can you please explain the steps to use it for best results?

*Is it okay to run the car as I have been (throughout the day & night) to use the climate control and 12V port, etc.? It is very warm here today, plus I just bought an entire batch of food which is currently in my 12V fridge. In addition, my phone and other devices need charging for my job.

*Could this be anything OTHER than the hybrid battery, or is that the most likely culprit?

Appreciate any help, as I'm disabled due to a stroke and rely on my car for pretty much everything. Beyond stressed now!

Joe

 

Dumb question...where in the heck is the port? I can't bend down too well due to my stroke, and can't seem to locate it. Is it under where the "key & set" buttons are located, or more under the latch for the hood?

 

Got it connected, and the green light is on on the dongle. Had to ask a stranger for help. I only have the ignition on, but the car isn't in run mode...should it be? I'm getting a message saying that the VCI isn't connected.

 

I've never used an ODB reader before, I'm a greenhorn with all this stuff. I was on hold with Autel customer service for 35 minutes, but I requested a call back. Hopefully they can walk me through it, then I'll get back to you guys with the codes for opinions. Quick question...

In a worst case, if I only start the car in regular mode (press start button once & no brake pedal) to charge devices and whatnot, will that not kill the house battery if left on too long?

I'm hoping that you're indeed correct, and that I don't have to resort to that, and that I can run the car in "ready" to use the climate control, etc.

 

Autel has AWFUL customer service! Their rep called me back, didn't understand the VCI connection issue, so I repeated it again and then he hung up on me. POS!

Can someone who has a gen 2 please tell me...does the car need to be in the ON mode to use the dongle, or must it only be in the regular mode (forget the name) where you just press the start button once without the brake?

 

Ok, looks like I got it to work! Hopefully lol.

Now I'm staring at PAGES of data that I have no clue about. Might as well be written in Chinese.

What am I looking for here, guys?

 

It appears that it ran the diagnostics. It spit back the following categories...

DTC & FFD
I/M Readiness
Live Data
On-Board Monitor
Component Test
Vehicle Information
Vehicle Status

Each category is a separate page with a LONG list of stuff & codes with numbers & symbols. Again, no clue what this stuff means or what I should be looking for. I might as well be blind.

 

OK, I will check those out now! Btw...if I look under "diagnostics" there is something in red. Which is the only red on the whole report. It says P0A93. I googled it and it says the inverter/water pump.

Should I ignore this since it was found under diagnostics, and not DTC or FFD?

To me, seeing something in red is usually not good, but you guys would know better than I.

Thanks

 

OK, I believe I was looking at the wrong info initially. Upon further review, under the "diagnostic" tab, it only shows ONE code, just like I said above P0A93.

Is this the inverter or water pump?

Based on that code, if it is indeed correct, I have the following questions...

*Roughly how much does that cost to replace?

*Is this something that's super critical to fix ASAP, or can it wait 3 or 4 days?

*As I don't want to risk damaging the car further, is it safe to run the Prius in ready mode so I can use the climate control & charge my devices for the next couple of days/nights until I can plot my next move?

*Is the car safe to drive at all, for any distance, or should I just stay parked where I am?

It's a 50 mile drive back to my hometown, where I know several mechanics. I need to either drive it back there, or have it towed. That's the next step. I will await your replies so I can strategize further.

 

You beat me to it, Tombukt2! I was typing while you replied. What's the cost to fix this?

And tomorrow will be about 80 here. Safe to run climate control?

 

Update: There is indeed ONE code under DTC & FFD! It is the same P0A93. Inverter A cooling system performance P0A93 - $7EA Current & $7EA Pending

I believe this must be the issue!

Hopefully the mechanic will agree, and not tell me my engine also blew and that I need a new transmission, too