Red triangle, VSC, Check engine - Can I drive it 10 miles?

Any specific reason you have decided NOT to replace $150 12v first?

 

if you're going for a million miles, i would go for a new oem replacement battery, it won't be the last one you buy, but it will be more economical than a rebuilt in the long run.

 

Best of luck to you Shawnna, and sorry for somewhat hijacking your thread. I will likely be making the same call to Toyota, to see where I can get.

For the sake of continuity for those following (without starting another thread), I did replace the 12V AUX battery yesterday. Took her on a 10 mile drive with no event. Went to Costco this morning, got gas, and as I was pulling away from the pump she threw the array of lights again. VSC, brake warning, CEL, red triangle, red car on the MFD, the works. So I guess I'll be getting codes pulled on Monday. Meanwhile I'll look more into this inverter coolant pump issue someone mentioned yesterday.

 

It takes 30 seconds to check if there is turbulence in the inverter reservoir. If there isn't any, that would be your problem. There was a recall on that pump, if you haven't done it, your repair should be free

 

That recall service was done. I just went out & checked under the cap, since you pointed out the simplicity, and Yes there is turbulence in the fluid.

 

Check the fluid levels on the car too. Oil and engine coolant levels. Hv battery and transaxle problems would be a worse case scenario with those lights

 

good luck!

 

Fluids were the first check, but thank you for pointing that out.

Just got back from talking to the service advisor, diagnosis as follows:

P0A80-HYBRID BATTERY MALF, FREEZE FRAME DATA ON TEC HSTREAM SHOWS HV BETTERY PACK #6 IS AT 14.0 VOLTS, SHOULD BE AT 15.80VOLTS LIKE ALL THE OTHER HV BATTERY PACKS BAD BATTERY PACK NEEDS HV BATTERY AND HV BATTERY BLOWER MOTOR (BLOWER IS COVERED IN DEBRIS, REDUCING COOLING OF HV BATTERY) WITH HV CABLES

So it sounds like I will be sourcing an OEM battery & blower motor, and learning how to do the job.

 

ouch. maybe you and shawnna can get a twofer.

 

Yeah, with all the Prii around here, I'm thinking Costco should carry a twin pack of hybrid batteries...

 

Swapping the battery is easy....one of the best videos is on the Dorman website. But you wouldn't have to touch it if you can get Toyota to cover some of the costs.......

 

I was actually a little irritated that the service adviser didn't take the time to ask the tech to elaborate a bit on the "debris" found. Wth? Dog hair? Rodent nest? One of the kids shove some crap in the intake vent? Sure would like to know.

I do find it strange that I never heard the blower operating BEFORE going to the dealer, but when I left it was operating constantly. Perhaps it was completely blocked up, and providing no cooling at all to the battery pack?

However, my cousin's husband is a hybrid tech at another Toyota dealer, and he indicated that they are seeing quite a few Gen II battery blower motors lately, with corroded wiring causing early failure. So I guess that may be a legit concern.

I made "the call" to Toyota Customer Care today, and I guess I will be finding out tomorrow or Thursday if they're willing to do any magic. If they'll eat 50% like others have been able to work out, then back to the dealer she goes. Otherwise, installing a new OEM pack looks like a fairly simple job to tackle myself.

 

It is a variable speed blower motor just like the one under the glove box. You don't typically hear it run because it runs at low speed and is very quiet. If you put your hand over the vent you can feel a gentle sucking. When the battery gets hot or is distressed it will run on high which is loader. If the fan fails the triangle of death and CEL will come on.

 

yayyyyy!!!!!!!! congrats. toyo comes thru again!

 

Interesting...I was planning on checking the 12v battery just to make sure it's fine, or plan for a replacement soon, and now, my 05 is now sitting lifeless in my driveway, waiting for a tow to my trusty mechanic.

I was able to drive her to my appointment yesterday, but I wasn't able to get her home on her own. Called AAA and they jumped the car, and I was able to limp home with the dash lit up like the holidays on crack. Red BRAKE and triangle, and amber !, ABS, and VSC lights.

I'm going to start with the 12v. Anything else I should be checking at this point?

I'll also call Toyota HQ and see if they'll help with the HV battery (if it turns out to be that).

I bought the car used and have only put on bout 4K in 9 months. Really sad about this.