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Red Triangle NOT turning on

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Travis Tortorige, Jul 30, 2013.

  1. Travis Tortorige

    Travis Tortorige New Member

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    I know this might sound like a silly problem but it wasn't too silly this morning when I heard some knocking from the ICE and found NO oil on the dipstick (oohh...oh yeah...I was pissed. You wouldn't BELIEVE the drive the car did the day before when I lent it to my sister-in-law). Anyway, I thought the red triangle would illuminate with low oil. I can't seem to get the light to illuminate. Even when I first start the car and "all" indicators light up during the test. I'd say this is one important light. We've had the car less than a month and I could swear that when we first got it I saw the triangle at start up. Am I crazy?
     
    #1 Travis Tortorige, Jul 30, 2013
  2. Kermitt

    Kermitt Junior Member

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    Try This: Get InSide The Vehicle, DO NOT CLOSE THE DRIVE DOOR!! Turn On The Car On Ready Mode, Shift It To D And Try To Move It Forward; That's How My Triangle Turns On Since The Door Is No Supposed To Be Open. :)
     
    #2 Kermitt, Jul 30, 2013
    Travis Tortorige likes this.
  3. HaroldW

    HaroldW Active Member

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    You would think a low oil pressure light would light. Better keep a close eye on the dip stick in the future! Check for a leak. Oil plug seal, filter may not be sealed? Hopefully it is not burning that amount but it possibly will be after running out of oil! :cry: H
     
    #3 HaroldW, Jul 30, 2013
  4. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

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    Th red exclamation point that momentarily flashes on start up is alerting you to a low charge on the little 12 volt battery in the trunk. It begins by coming and going depending on the charge its holding. Its time to replace it.

    Do this test and pay attention to the second number the load number. I imagine its at 11.4. Done.

    Weird stuff happening? MPGs dropping? Test The Battery | PriusChat


    Low oil pressure will illuminate the yellow engine icon. The oil level has to be almost empty to illuminate that.
    Stupid I know.

    Btw, based on many posts post mortem with this issue your car will now most likely consume oil since apparently the oil scavenging rings on the pistons are easily damaged by low oil level.

    So you now have to regularly and proactively check the oil as the engine will begin burning oil.
     
    #4 edthefox5, Jul 30, 2013
  5. nh7o

    nh7o Off grid since 1980

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    Low oil will also put a laconic "Problem" message on the MFD, particularly when going around corners or stopping.
     
    #5 nh7o, Jul 30, 2013
  6. xpcman

    xpcman Senior Member

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    If the car was knocking because of low oil then I would assume that you have a high probability that you have damaged the bearings to the point that the engine will soon need to be replaced. You also need to diagnose WHY you had the low oil in the first place. That might indicate the the rings are bad and you are pumping the oil out of the crankcase.
     
    #6 xpcman, Jul 30, 2013
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