flashing display

Interesting, you have a Japanese 'gray market' Prius. That is the energy flow display. The other screen, selected by pressing one of the lower left 'hot spots' will bring up the mileage display. That the display came on briefly suggests something else is broken.

The Prius is very different from ordinary cars because it is computer controlled. Most maintenance starts by making sure the 12V system that powers everything is working followed by using a Prius-aware scanner to read out the error codes from the half-dozen control computers. In your case, disconnect the 12V ground for a minute or two to power-on-reset all the control computers and start fresh.

Start with the 12V system, what is the resting voltage and what is the voltage when the car is running:

• resting 11.9v to 12.85v - the 12V battery is good with higher voltages being better. If under 11.9V, consider putting the 12V battery on a charger for several hours to see if it can hold a charge in the operating range.
• running 13.8-13.9V - this tests the 12V inverter that keeps the 12V system running.

Next you'll need a Prius-aware scanner. The Chinese mini-VCI is pretty popular but requires a laptop running Windows XP. It runs a knockoff, Techstream software that is the same software Toyota uses.

GOOD LUCK!
Bob W

 

Bob, thanks for the voltage range on the 12V Aux battery. Been using 12.2 as lower end. I've the same issue with the flashing MFD. It clears up after ICE runs (12V reads 13.67 KOER) and stays steady. Have check all modules for any related code but no luck. Have been assessing the 12V battery as a few other codes have occasionally surfaced. Vehicle operating normal but I think recharge or new 12V may be needed. Do you have any suggestions on a good AGM charger. Not sure may present charger (for lead-acid) would be the best bet. There are suggestions of using a lead-acid in parallel with the AGM and charger but haven't tried that method. If I update 12V battery I'm looking at the Optima D51R as a replacement. Any advice there. Thanks for you assistance. Peace

 

I had the same problem with the plug in 6 months old. 12v battery had run down, at switch on the traction battery should start to charge a low 12v. Once it got up to 12v the flashing stopped and the display showed every thing ok. Dealer said the battery was duff. They replaced it and everything seems ok now.