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Red Triangle + break malfunction indicator

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Bobbytwotaps, Jul 8, 2020.

  1. Bobbytwotaps

    Bobbytwotaps Junior Member

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    I been getting a Red Triangle and Break Malfunction indicator while driving, at a stop light or just sitting in Park with my car. It comes on randomly. Sometimes comes on right away or 20 min later. I keep clearing the code so that I can drive the car.

    I feel nothing at all wrong with the brakes.. I cannot get a mini Vic because I'm in the middle of a move and don't have my computer yet. Could anyone help me with the codes that I am getting please?
     
    #1 Bobbytwotaps, Jul 8, 2020
  2. dolj

    dolj Senior Member

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    You could jumper the OBDII port to "blink" out the codes. This post (#93) describes the procedure.
     
    #2 dolj, Jul 8, 2020
  3. Bobbytwotaps

    Bobbytwotaps Junior Member

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    Thanks dolj, when I receive my codes what can I do with them? I have the code it was blinking.
    Brake indicator light (!) Is 58
     
    #3 Bobbytwotaps, Jul 8, 2020
  4. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    Go to an auto supply and have them read the codes. The sad truth is something is wrong when you get the triangle of death. The fact you can still drive it means it is fixable and probably does not need an inverter. Often the brake by wire system goes bad, a hv battery may be on its last legs or a cylinder may be totally out causing sync issues with the transaxle. The engine issues can be ignition coil, fuel injectors, head gasket, or other similar gas engine problems.
     
    #4 rjparker, Jul 8, 2020
    Last edited: Jul 8, 2020
  5. Bobbytwotaps

    Bobbytwotaps Junior Member

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    They cannot read codes for a prius when it comes to brakes, ABS, VSC etc. Those are speciality codes.
    I also have an OBD2 scanner that cannot read the codes. I need tech stream but it will be a while before I can get it.
    People on here talk about pulling codes from the dash with the paper clip method so I will post my codes and hope somebody can decode for me.
     
    #5 Bobbytwotaps, Jul 8, 2020
  6. dolj

    dolj Senior Member

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    This is an incorrect statement as the MWL (master warning light) can come on for something as simple as opening the driver's door while the car is in "D". RTOD, the red triangle of death, the triangle of death and all similar monikers are stupid throwback references to Microsoft's Windows blue screen of death (BSOD). That reference, when you think about it, also makes it stupid, because when you got a BSOD you were in an irrecoverable state. When you get the MWL, you are rarely dead in the water. Toyota called it the Master Warning Light for good reason.
    Unfortunately, this code doesn't tell you a whole lot, except there is a more meaningful code in the HV ECU.

    Blink 58 = C1259 which is just a code the brake ECU sets to advise you of a problem being reported by the HV ECU. The rest of the story has to be obtained from the HV ECU, which has no blink codes, so can only be interrogated with Techstream.
     
    #6 dolj, Jul 9, 2020
    SFO likes this.
  7. Bobbytwotaps

    Bobbytwotaps Junior Member

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    DolJ thanks for the info brotha. Don't forget the famous Xbox red ring of death. I think that's a closer cousin than the Blue screen of death. Haha thanks. Guess I'll just keep clearing it until I can get my laptop from my moving company.
     
    #7 Bobbytwotaps, Jul 9, 2020
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