Loss of Power, Red Triangle, and Hybrid System Warning

Have you checked to see whether the inverter coolant pump is running?

If not, make the car READY and look at the inverter coolant reservoir. Do you see turbulence in the fluid level which shows that the pump is operational?

If you do not see fluid turbulence, then you'll need to have the pump replaced ASAP. This is the subject of a limited service campaign in most parts of the world, so your local Toyota dealer should replace the pump (even if it is working) without charge to you.

The relevance of the pump to your issue is that when the inverter overheats, the DC/DC converter will shut down, which causes voltage on the 12V bus to decline.

Also see: http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-ii-...call-alert-2004-2007-inverter-water-pump.html

 

Even more reason for you to check to see if the pump is running. It is possible that you may find that the pump installation was not performed correctly.

 

We have already read stories here of wrong connections and inadequate coolant fill from the dealer. Inadequate air purging seems inevitable, but I in that case I imagine one should listen for gurgling rather than use turbulence in the coolant container to check for that possibility.

 

I suppose there could be a chance of a air lock as well. All the more reason to check for coolant movement in the tank. Hal

 

Now I have a new concern. Did the dealer give you a full dose of new coolant, or did the technician cheat by preventing loss of coolant during the pump replacement by pinching off the hose? The recall procedure calls for a full coolant replacement.

At least you gained a new tool.

JeffD

 

Hey, there was no extra charge for you to pick up a vise grip tool, who can complain? :rockon:

Seriously, it is clear that technician was not paying attention. Hope nothing else was forgotten. Glad to hear you figured out the problem.

 

An amusing reminder to always look under the hood after every service. I learned that after driving home after the first oil change of my first new car by a dealer. I got a free wrench and a can of WD40. I wondered what else was there that fell out during the 10 mile drive home.

 

I'm wondering what the WD40 was doing there, and hope that was not employed as a substitute for engine oil...

 

Hey, don't knock it. Over 22 years I've got a couple of flare wrenches, a hammer, and an oil filter tool just by looking under the hood after the "experts" had touched it

 

The only tool that I recall receiving as a "gift" was a Snapon 13 mm box/open end wrench. I like it because it is longer than the Craftsman wrenches I have, hence provides more torque.

 

Technician complacency is somehow not an uncommon issue with inverter pump recall. My weekend trip to New Orleans was cancelled 1/4th of the way because they forgot to plug in the inverter pump.

Maybe Toyota didn't provide them proper manuals.

 

Or maybe they just don't give a s***

 

Clearly they don't. Used vice grips on your rubber hose?..

Wow.. Major fail. Let us know what happens when you tell them this.

 

Hmm, I suppose if you complain about it you will have to return the vice grips... But I agree with Robbie (below). You should tell the service writer.

 

And if you don't? ..This will probably happen again and again.

Harbor Freight anyone?

 

The recall instructions for the technician are quite clear. Any oil changer can do it. However, either the service department instituted a policy of NOT draining/flushing the coolant, because factory bleeding procedure is time consuming and they can charge Toyota for the coolant that is instead sold to someone else, or the techs are trying to take a short cut since the flat rate payout is low.

 

If I were you I would take a photo with my cell phone and email it to Toyota Customer Experience if applicable along with every detail and diagnostic code.

It is unlikely that the inverter has been damaged, but you want to be covered if it fails or if the problem returns.

I guess that if surgeons forget surgical tools inside patients, car techs are allowed some leeway too, nobody is perfect. But you shouldn't potentially assume responsibility for this.