HELP!!! something is not right!!!

i've only gone into maintenance mode to check battery voltage levels, but i could have sworn I've read a post here awhile back that somewhere in maintenance mode the car will tell you the codes its procuring. I think it was a post regarding a code that was only meant for Europe and wasn't supposed to show up here in America, something like that.

if you've replaced your battery with an optima, I'm assuming you've done it yourself, are quite handy, and you know how to go into maintenance mode, and can snoop around there to see if any codes are popping up there, let us know what you find. I think that VSC warning light is a huge clue and there have been many posts regarding your problem, so I'm sure its just a matter of time before someone lets you know whats wrong with your car and hopefully the problem is a cheap and easy fix.

 

i never see any codes based on the 12 volt battery problems beside ABS etc because of low voltages
check your wires of your optima to see if they are attached and not lose
you never now!

 

Did you check the coolant in the trans axle tank for circulation. Pump may have stopped working. Hal

 

Is taking it to a Toyota Service Center problematic?

Not to cop out? But that's probably your best course of action. Since what you are presenting is basically "I have the Red Triangle" but no other symptoms or codes. With nothing more to go on? Everything is pure speculation.

The good/bad news? Is just like a cold, that becomes a flu, that become pneumonia...it's pretty likely if you have a problem manifesting...it will eventually get worse and you'll eventually get traceable symptoms.

But I wouldn't recommend waiting until that point. And I think anyone would be rightfully nervous or hesitant to drive a vehicle 1000 miles with the warning triangle illuminated and no real idea why.

 

Call around to independent Toyota shops in the area and ask them how much to get the codes read with Techstream or equivalent. That might be faster and cheaper than the dealer. It is unlikely to be the 12V, since the car was already well under way at the time. It is unlikely to be the inverter pump -- P0A93 shows up on ScanGauge. I am not sure if you should try to reset the check engine light or not without knowing what the codes are first, since you conceivably have a problem with the hybrid system that would be covered under CARB warranty.

 

his car may be just under 8 years old, but he's got 120K on the odometer, isn't that over the CARB warranty coverage??

 

Nope, 10years/150k miles in CA (and other CARB states)

JeffD

 

why do used car dealers remove everything out of the glove box, including service records?

don't they know that they can sell a car faster and for a higher amount if they can prove service records, and yet they just throw it away, this behavior just baffles me.

 

I do not think you have a CARB warranty.

One step at a time though. Follow Seilert's advice and get the codes.

 

This was another reason I purchased a particular used Civic for my wife's commuter. They didn't remove anything from the glove box. In fact, there was even a bill from a body shop for a minor fender bender that wasn't reported on the carfax.

 

Maybe the car was not serviced. Better for the dealer to remove the evidence of no service and let the buyer think there's no information, than to inform the buyer that the car was not serviced.

Or maybe the dealer pays some kid minimum wage to clean the car, and as part of that he removes everything that's not fastened down and gets the car sparkly clean.

 

...I only have speculation, but was made jealous at the 64F ambient temp reading.
This "hot" So Cal weather made me wonder if the hybrid batt fan was clogged causing high temps on the batt.

 

i'd say every 4 to 5 years (minimal) you need to clean the hybrid battery fan.. when's the last time you cleaned yours? i'm going to do mine yearly or bi yearly from now on. (soo caked up last year... i figured it wasn't effective at all.)

 

Because that's only true if the service records are accurate and complete.

Also, it gives the new buyer more information during the negotiation process, which is not what they want.

Finally, it makes it consistent. If every car on the lot has zero past information available that makes it easier to sell the cars than having half the cars have all the info and the other half having only some (or none) of it.