04 Prius red triangle with exclamation point car won’t start

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by samsubarany, Sep 15, 2019.

  1. samsubarany

    samsubarany New Member

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    0E4FFF04-61E3-43F7-9D80-363FADB97AD5.jpeg BAA485AA-A2D2-40E0-8861-D0E0915210C3.jpeg I have a 2004 Prius with a red triangle of death along with an yellow exclamation point next to it and a pinkish car symbol with a exclamation point on the screen top left corner. It will start intermediated when u let it sit couple hours and nothing will show on dash till couple minutes of letting it idle or driving it. No check engine light on the dash. When the red triangle appears on the dash if I turn off the vehicle and try to restart it, it would not start. I’ve took the hybrid battery out and tested it individually and it’s all consistent with 7.85-7.87v. 12v battery reads at 11.8v with vehicle off. Please help.
     
    #1 samsubarany, Sep 15, 2019
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    welcome!
    you need a new 12v

    check the inverter fluid reservoir for movement

    you have to load test the hybrid battery
     
    #2 bisco, Sep 15, 2019
  3. samsubarany

    samsubarany New Member

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    I will replace the 12v battery and if that doesn’t work then I’ll do the load test as u stated. Thanks for the help
     
    #3 samsubarany, Sep 15, 2019
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  4. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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    Your 12V is low, but it should still start at 11.8V. My Gen 2 started with as low as 8.5 volts.

    I would charge that battery and try it again before throwing money at it. You may or may not need a new one. Proper testing will tell you. But I think you'll still have to read the codes to find out the real problem. But, as @bisco said, checking the inverter fluid for movement is an easy test -- after you get the car to start.
     
    #4 jerrymildred, Sep 16, 2019
  5. 3PriusMike

    3PriusMike Prius owner since 2000, Tesla M3 2018

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    All these nonsensical icons show how dumb the UI design is in modern cars. With all the screen space and memory available could they not display a message in plain English or whatever language the drivers prefers along with the icon...and an error/warning message number?

    The answer is no they can not, else the dealer maintenance departments will be upset.

    Mike
     
    #5 3PriusMike, Sep 16, 2019
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  6. strawbrad

    strawbrad http://minnesotahybridbatteries.com

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    Bisco is responsible for the needless replacement of hundreds of 12 volt batteries. There is not enough information here to warrant replacing the 12 volt battery.


    Taking apart the HV battery without first reading codes is simply foolish.

    The fact that the car will run after cooling down does suggest a failed inverter cooling pump.
     
    #6 strawbrad, Sep 16, 2019
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  7. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i secretly work for exide :sneaky:
     
    #7 bisco, Sep 16, 2019
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  8. samsubarany

    samsubarany New Member

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    The electronic water pump is test while car is running and yes it works. There is no check engine light so code reader cannot detect anything. I’ve replaced a new 12v battery today and still have the same issues was reading 12.3v. I was told to check the isolation fault for a cell leak. That would be my next step as they said it will not trigger the check engine light just yet because the leak is slow.
     
    #8 samsubarany, Sep 16, 2019
  9. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    It all makes sense:p.
     
    #9 Raytheeagle, Sep 16, 2019
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  10. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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    This statement makes no sense whatsoever. The red triangle is jumping up and down, waving its arms and screaming, "Read the codes. I have a problem!" So read the codes. The triangle's sole purpose is to tell you that there is a fault.

    Of course you have the same issues, because, as I said, an 11.8V battery won't cause any problems. Quit wasting time & money by guessing and read the codes.
     
    #10 jerrymildred, Sep 17, 2019
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  11. strawbrad

    strawbrad http://minnesotahybridbatteries.com

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    There certainly are codes that triggered the red triangle and the car with a dagger light. Your code reader just cannot read them. Techstream is Toyota's official software that reads all the codes. You need an old Windows laptop and a Mini VCI or VXDIAG cable to use it.

    Bisco's latest victim.

    A proper code reader will detect an isolation fault. There are simple but kinda dangerous tests to find isolation faults using a voltmeter.

    An isolation fault will keep the car from restarting. Disconnecting the 12 volt battery clears the code and allows the car to start. Does this match what you see happening to your car?
     
    #11 strawbrad, Sep 17, 2019
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