Please help me with my car

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Huelo Point Lookout Maui, Sep 20, 2013.

  1. Huelo Point Lookout Maui

    Huelo Point Lookout Maui Junior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 15, 2013
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    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    05 prius with 150k. red emerg. light, yellow abs, vsc, and the circle one (brake related) all came on at same time. No trauma other than my 16 year old driving for 3 months. Was some concern as MPG seem to go down to 35-44 from 48-53 with new driver. we assume a 16 year old lead foot but maybe not. My 125 dollar scanner doesn't seem to pick up any prob. The on board dx. say the battery is at 12.4 at rest and 11.9 to 12v under load. Anything else I can ck. Car drives fine. Name shows the salt, wind and sun environment at our B&B...not easy on cars but it came from NY and has been here since 07. Sugg.?
     
    #1 Huelo Point Lookout Maui, Sep 20, 2013
  2. Greg Long

    Greg Long Junior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 4, 2012
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    Location:
    Ireland
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    I had this problem with a 04 and it turned out it was a block connection which had a few rotten wires. These controlled the battery cooling fan. The block is situated in the left rear behind the panel. It took my local Toyota dealer a few hours to find the problem. B[​IMG] The offending item !
     
    #2 Greg Long, Sep 20, 2013
  3. SteveLee

    SteveLee Active Member

    Joined:
    Sep 15, 2012
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    Location:
    North Carolina
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    I
    Was the 12V battery check done after the car sat overnight or just after it had been driven? Overnight is better. Have you checked the inverter reservoir for turbulence when in START mode? Have you checked the sound of the HV battery cooling fan? Checked all fluid levels, tire pressure? Does the HV battery SOC levels seem to be ok and the engine cycling normally? Might the 16 year old be forcing electric only mode more often than the car wants to? And ultimately the style of driving will make a noticeable difference in MPG.
     
    #3 SteveLee, Sep 20, 2013
  4. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

    Joined:
    Mar 8, 2008
    18,200
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    Location:
    Green Valley, AZ
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Make the Prius READY, open the hood, and look at the inverter coolant reservoir for fluid turbulence. If you don't see turbulence then the inverter coolant pump has failed and that is the reason for the warning lights you see.
     
    #4 Patrick Wong, Sep 20, 2013
  5. nh7o

    nh7o Off grid since 1980

    Joined:
    Dec 10, 2011
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    Location:
    Hawaii
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    II
    You need to use a Prius specific scanner to read all the hybrid related ECU's. Any basic generic unit won't do it. Since those lights were on, there will be codes set. The mini VCI on eBay does the job.
     
    #5 nh7o, Sep 20, 2013
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