1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

warning lights, please help

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Technical Discussion' started by taggart, Jul 27, 2011.

Page 1 of 2
  1. taggart

    taggart Member

    Joined:
    Apr 4, 2008
    249
    14
    0
    Location:
    Texas
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    My wife was driving home last night and got the master warning light along with some others, but she's not sure which ones. She called me and told me she was less than a mile from home. I told her to just bring it home from there.

    This morning, I went out to take a look at it. Started it up. Engine started normally. Got the master warning light, the malfunction indicator lamp (check engine) on the dash and the hybrid system warning light on the mfd. I have about 34,000 miles on it.

    I'm going to take it in to the dealer. I just need some advice. The dealer is about 10 miles away. Do you think I could drive it to the dealer or should I have it towed?

     
    #1 taggart, Jul 27, 2011
  2. Hal W

    Hal W New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 26, 2010
    872
    53
    0
    Location:
    Grand Forks,B.C. Canada
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Make sure the coolant is circulating in the coolant tank for the transaxle cooling system. Have the car set at ready with e-brake on then check for circulation. It is located middle of engine bay . Check your manual. More than likely your 12V is getting week? Hal
     
    #2 Hal W, Jul 27, 2011
    1 person likes this.
  3. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

    Joined:
    Mar 8, 2008
    18,200
    6,482
    0
    Location:
    Green Valley, AZ
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    If your engine compartment fluids are correct and you have checked the inverter coolant tank for circulation, then you can try driving the car 10 miles.

    If you determine that the inverter pump is not working, then you can probably make the 10 mile trip but to be safe you might want to put a bag of ice on top of the inverter to help keep it cool. Good luck.
     
    #3 Patrick Wong, Jul 27, 2011
    1 person likes this.
  4. paprius4030

    paprius4030 My first Prius

    Joined:
    Aug 12, 2004
    2,077
    296
    0
    Location:
    York,Pa.
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    :eek:I'm getting a visual with that bag of ice ontop of the inverter. The mechanics at the dealer will charge an extra half hour labor to stop laughing.....It is a good idea though
     
    #4 paprius4030, Jul 27, 2011
  5. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

    Joined:
    Mar 8, 2008
    18,200
    6,482
    0
    Location:
    Green Valley, AZ
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Better to have them laugh, than to have them report that the inverter died and you get to pay a $2K repair bill for a new one...

    Or you can stop a block away from the dealer and get rid of the bag of ice.
     
    #5 Patrick Wong, Jul 27, 2011
  6. paprius4030

    paprius4030 My first Prius

    Joined:
    Aug 12, 2004
    2,077
    296
    0
    Location:
    York,Pa.
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    :DHey that's a good idea!
     
    #6 paprius4030, Jul 28, 2011
  7. taggart

    taggart Member

    Joined:
    Apr 4, 2008
    249
    14
    0
    Location:
    Texas
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Coolant appears to be circulating but I'm having it towed. I can't see making a $50 bet on a $2000 inverter. Thanks for everyone's help.
     
    #7 taggart, Jul 28, 2011
  8. paprius4030

    paprius4030 My first Prius

    Joined:
    Aug 12, 2004
    2,077
    296
    0
    Location:
    York,Pa.
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Let us know how u make out.
     
    #8 paprius4030, Jul 28, 2011
  9. taggart

    taggart Member

    Joined:
    Apr 4, 2008
    249
    14
    0
    Location:
    Texas
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Well, I usually press my lips against my wife's lips, but that's not important right now.

    Turns out it is the inverter coolant pump. $525 fix at the dealer.

    So glad I had it towed.
     
    #9 taggart, Jul 28, 2011
  10. paprius4030

    paprius4030 My first Prius

    Joined:
    Aug 12, 2004
    2,077
    296
    0
    Location:
    York,Pa.
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Glad you got it fixed. didn't the warranty cover it?
     
    #10 paprius4030, Jul 28, 2011
  11. taggart

    taggart Member

    Joined:
    Apr 4, 2008
    249
    14
    0
    Location:
    Texas
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    3 years was up on March 31st. I was sweating the extended warranty at that time but decided not to do it. Toyota has been good to me in the past. This isn't a big deal.
     
    #11 taggart, Jul 28, 2011
  12. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

    Joined:
    Mar 8, 2008
    18,200
    6,482
    0
    Location:
    Green Valley, AZ
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Save your receipt; if the LSC covering the inverter coolant pump is extended to your model year then you can file for reimbursement from TMS USA.
     
    #12 Patrick Wong, Jul 28, 2011
  13. taggart

    taggart Member

    Joined:
    Apr 4, 2008
    249
    14
    0
    Location:
    Texas
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Sorry, I'm not versed in this. What's an LSC, Patrick? How will I know if it kicks in for my 2008?

    I knew there was a reason I joined PC. You guys and gals on here are so helpful.

    Thanks.
     
    #13 taggart, Jul 28, 2011
  14. ItsNotAboutTheMoney

    ItsNotAboutTheMoney EditProfOptInfoCustomUser Title

    Joined:
    Jul 18, 2009
    2,287
    460
    0
    Location:
    Maine
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Limited Service Campaign
     
    #14 ItsNotAboutTheMoney, Jul 28, 2011
    1 person likes this.
  15. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

    Joined:
    Mar 8, 2008
    18,200
    6,482
    0
    Location:
    Green Valley, AZ
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-ii-...call-alert-2004-2007-inverter-water-pump.html

    You may want to call the Toyota Customer Experience Center, let them know you had to pay for an inverter coolant pump replacement on your 2008 with low odometer miles at barely three years of age; and ask if 1) they will give you a break via partial or total reimbursement or 2) when the LSC will be expanded to cover your model year since clearly the inverter coolant pump is still a problem.
     
    #15 Patrick Wong, Jul 28, 2011
    1 person likes this.
  16. taggart

    taggart Member

    Joined:
    Apr 4, 2008
    249
    14
    0
    Location:
    Texas
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    One other question. I will also be asking the service rep when I pick up the car. I assume that because the pump was changed, the coolant also had to be changed out.

    Can I consider this to be a coolant change? Or, do you think they might not have done a complete change and I should stick with the scheduled maintenance change?
     
    #16 taggart, Jul 29, 2011
  17. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

    Joined:
    Mar 8, 2008
    18,200
    6,482
    0
    Location:
    Green Valley, AZ
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    The coolant was supposed to be replaced when the inverter coolant pump was replaced. You can ask about this and the repair invoice also should show this.

    However, whether the coolant was replaced or not, I would say you should plan to follow the scheduled maint change at 100K miles...

    1) If the coolant was not changed then you would change the coolant when your odometer reads 100K.

    2) If the coolant was changed then according to Toyota's schedule, subsequent changes should occur at 50K mile intervals. So technically, you should actually change the coolant when your odometer is at 84K. However, changing it at 100K would be close enough, IMO.
     
    #17 Patrick Wong, Jul 29, 2011
    1 person likes this.
  18. tassiehypermiler

    tassiehypermiler New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 3, 2011
    10
    1
    0
    Location:
    Tasmania Australia
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    I have a 2004 Prius which has done 130000km but the inverter coolant pump has not been replaced.
    I think I might take it in to Toyota and get them to do it.
    Will they still do it even after 7 years?
     
    #18 tassiehypermiler, Jul 31, 2011
  19. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

    Joined:
    Mar 8, 2008
    18,200
    6,482
    0
    Location:
    Green Valley, AZ
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    In the US, the LSC is in effect for 2004 - certain 2007 model year vehicles until November 2013. You'll need to research the policy which Toyota Australia is following.
     
    #19 Patrick Wong, Jul 31, 2011
  20. Hal W

    Hal W New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 26, 2010
    872
    53
    0
    Location:
    Grand Forks,B.C. Canada
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Model:
    II
    I had my Canadian models pump change at no charge.[2006 Prius]I am sure it is covered there as well! Hal
     
    #20 Hal W, Jul 31, 2011
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)
Page 1 of 2