Triangle/ESC lights etc. - should I get towed - please hlep

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Molly Malone, Apr 22, 2018.

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  1. Molly Malone

    Molly Malone New Member

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    Yesterday when I started my 2005 Prius which has 75K miles on clock, the red triangle and three orange lights came on. I had driven it an hour or so earlier with no issues. I didn't have the manual with me and drove it home. Is it safe to drive it a couple of further miles to get it checked at a dealership. Also just got it serviced recently at a local mechanic and they said battery was fine - have had no issues with same. Is it better to take it directly to Toyota and should I get it towed there or is it okay to drive it? How likely is it that this is a battery issue? Thanks
     
    #1 Molly Malone, Apr 22, 2018
  2. Molly Malone

    Molly Malone New Member

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    my 2005 Prius (75K miles) showed red triangle and three orange lights - vsc etc. - when I started it yesterday. Had driven it an hour earlier with no issues and haven't had problems with the car. I got it serviced just three weeks ago at a local mechanic and, aside from replacing brake pads etc. they said battery tested fine. Should I get it towed to Toyota or is it okay to just drive it a couple of miles to local mechanic? I already drove it home a few miles yesterday and it seemed fine aside from the warning lights. Thanks so much for your help.
     
    #2 Molly Malone, Apr 22, 2018
  3. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    Besides the red warning triangle, if the warning lights which are lit are all amber (not red) in color and if the brake system works OK, then it should be OK to drive for a short distance. Try to avoid situations where you need to make a panic stop because the ABS system probably is not working.
     
    #3 Patrick Wong, Apr 22, 2018
  4. Molly Malone

    Molly Malone New Member

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    Thank you. Battery was dead. They are offering me $500 trade in. It has two new Michelin Defender tires, new brake pads, air filters etc. - just a few weeks old and only 75K on the clock.
     
    #4 Molly Malone, Apr 25, 2018
  5. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    Which battery are you referring to: the 12V battery or the high voltage traction battery?

    Have you decided that you are going to trade in the car for a $500 allowance? That sounds like a really poor offer unless the car's cosmetic appearance is terrible.
     
    #5 Patrick Wong, Apr 25, 2018
  6. TMR-JWAP

    TMR-JWAP Senior Member

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    If the body is in decent shape, I'm sure there are plenty of people in CA that would pay a lot more than that for a 75k mile Gen 2 that has only an HV battery problem. LOL, someone in Cali could buy it just for the exhaust system and they'd save a thousand+ dollars over having their catalytic converter replaced at a dealer. You could probably sell it on craigslist in an hour for 2k+. Or you could contact any (of many) places that repair batteries. There are many in my area that advertise they come to you and repair your battery for about $450-750. Anywhere from a 60 day to 6 month guarantee. Then keep it or sell it, depending on what your end goal is. There are several 2005 models that have recently sold on ebay for $3.5-6k with your mile range.

    2005 prius | eBay
     
    #6 TMR-JWAP, Apr 25, 2018
    Raytheeagle likes this.
  7. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    I know a couple of people who would pay the $500 for that low of a mileage Prius and then put a new hv battery in it;).

    The first thing I’d do is get the codes and understand what the mechanic meant by “dead”. If the car is in good shape except for the battery, I’d place a new battery in it, then if another expensive issue came up, I’d be on the hunt for another Gen2 that needed a battery and swap that new battery in:).

    Just one option for the OP(y).
     
    #7 Raytheeagle, Apr 25, 2018
  8. tada

    tada Member

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    Heck, I'd pay $500 for it and put another battery in it - if that is the problem. $500 is a ridiculous low ball offer. It's just my opinion, but I'd keep it. Here's a link for a company in SF that installs batteries and offers three options. https://greentecauto.com/product-tag/prius-2004-2009. I also think an original Toyota battery is a good option, but from what you say about the dealer you're working with, I may avoid them.
     
    #8 tada, Apr 25, 2018
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