Red Triangle, "Check" Icon and "Problem" followed by Red Car Icon on Screen - HELP

Does your car demonstrate any unusual issues or symptoms when being driven?

Do you have access to a digital voltmeter? If so, measure voltage across the 12V battery when the car is IG-OFF and when it is READY.

The red car with exclamation point in the MFD means that the hybrid vehicle ECU has logged a DTC.

The amber check engine light means that the engine ECU has logged a DTC.

The red Master Warning triangle is just alerting you to look around for other warning lights, that may give you a clue as to your car's problem.

MAINT REQD is driven by an odometer timer, it has been 5K miles since the timer was last reset and you need an engine oil and oil filter change.

And it looks like your windshield defroster is on.

 

DTC = diagnostic trouble code

I suggest that you visit your local Toyota dealer soon because the hybrid vehicle icon in the MFD is a serious warning.

To reset the MAINT REQD light, set the odometer so that the display shows cumulative miles, not one of the two trip odometers. Make the car IG-OFF.

Then hold down the button that switches between odometer and the two trip odometers. While holding down the button, depress the POWER button twice (without depressing the brake pedal) so that the car is IG-ON.

Continue holding the odometer button while you watch a series of dashes appear where the odometer normally is displayed. Once the dashes disappear you can release the odometer button, then make the car IG-OFF.

 

OK, I had this happen to me also...my dealer said I needed an inverter pump and 12 volt battery??? Is this all this means and all the car needs to have done? ..I have always felt safe in this car (2004, 67,000 miles and no other problems).

What I need to know is will the car be safe to drive after these repairs are made? And also if these are all that should be done?

 

Sparks:
You may need a 12 volt battery, is yours original? You may also have another problem, like tokshra who needs an inverter pump. You need to read the DTC codes to know for sure. You can test the battery yourself, search on this site for battery test for instructions. If the pump needs to be changed, which is a common failure, then you are good to go for that problem. As the cars age, more problems occur, but the car wehn repaired is perfectly safe to use, assuming there are no other issues.

 

You can use "Maintenance Mode" on the MultiFunctional Display (MFD):
Weird stuff happening? MPGs dropping? Test The Battery | PriusChat
or go to Radio Shack and buy a low cost Digital Voltmeter for about $40 (a very useful tool).

JeffD

The little 12v Battery has a limited life (4-5 years or until it is accidently discharged a few times) so replacing it is normal maintenance.

The Inverter pump in 2004 and early 2005 Prii has been shown to have early failures. The replacement pump is a newer design and should last a long time.

At 60k+ miles you should consider having the dealer drain and refill your Automatic Transmission Fluid (Toyota Type WS ATF, ~$100 at my dealer in CT) to extend the life of the Power Split Device (PSD, an expensive item to replace if it fails) which serves as the transmission in a Prius.

My 2004 Prius is now at 180,000 miles (new Inverter Coolant Pump, original batteries, new ATF 3 times and very few problems) and I expect it to go much further with only normal maintenance and periodic minor problems needing attention (although some minor problems can cost several hundred dollars to repair like the Inverter pump). Just drive your fine car and don't worry too much. Things may break from time to time, but after all it is a car and nothing is perfect.

JeffD

 

How do you reset this warning light?

 

You either need an OBD2 tester that handles the CAN Protocol (look into a ScanGuage about $150) or disconnect the 12v battery for a few minutes and reconnect it (usually best done at the negative post connection to the body of the car).

Of course, if the original problem remains, the warning will return after the reset.

JeffD

 

I already have a ScanGauge connected to my Prius, but there were no codes showing. The battery had been disconnect for a few hours while I was charging up the battery. But it seems after a few minutes with my Prius running, the warning light went away.

 

I did this and it worked, after having the red triangle on dash and touch screen . I had just replaced the combination meter.

"04-09 Prius procedure. Disable SMART KEY (button that says KEY under steering column), and insert key fob transponder into slot in dash. With foot on brake, push power button and hold the power button in for 30 seconds. Release power button and try to restart."

 

2008 Prius Master warning light came on and check engine. After reading posts I replaced the 12v battery. Lights came back on. Took to auto zone they said it shows the electric cooling pump is bad. Is this correct?

Desperate in BR

 

welcome!
depends on what the codes were

 

are you going to diy? if so, you should get a prius aware scanner like tech stream

 

I’ll go again and get code

 

Maybe not. You need to retrieve the DTC to have a clue about what is wrong.

 

Would FIXD be able to read the DTC code?

FIXD OBD-II Gen II Active Car-Health Monitor - Walmart.com - Walmart.com

Are there any specific models you would recommend? (Mini VCI not an option here, I don't have a laptop with CD reader not old windows)

Thanks

 

Any specific model?

Thanks

 

no, they're all the same. tech stream is available on amazon, and runs on your windows laptop

 

I might give it a shot, I'm replacing both HV inverter pump and battery on the 2008. This is probably the best I can do with these shipping times right now.

Thanks for your help.

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