I got the Triangle of death, the main battery shows its 3/4 way the full. I had the starter battery tested and they said its fine. It won't go into drive or ready mode. After I disconnected the the starter battery and reconnected it, it fired up for a 400 yard drive. I will take some trouble shooting technics for the ac/dc converter or other potential problems. The code in the photo are what showed up before I accidentally cleared them.
It's a shame that so many people find that diagnostic menu on the MFD and don't realize it is only for the infotainment system and not for the rest of the car. You'll need an OBD-II scan tool that can read codes from a Prius. Many here will recommend Toyota Techstream (on a spare Windows laptop with a J2534 dongle), which is the same a Toyota dealer would use, and gets you all the same information.
Often, but not guaranteed to be your situation, a P0AA6 code (high voltage leak) is what causes your symptoms. A P0AA6 code means there is low resistance between the HV system and the body of the car. This is frequently caused by electrolyte leakage in the main battery. When this code triggers, (as long as it isn't a huge short circuit) it will allow you to keep driving the car normally, but once you turn the car off, it will not allow it to go to ready mode again. UNLESS, you disconnect the 12 volt battery, which resets all the codes. It will then let you start the circle again. (hint, hint hint if you need to keep using the car) This resistance value can be read using Toyota Techstream software, which the dealer should have used for diagnosis. It's measured as a DC voltage from 0 to 5 volts and is called 'short wave highest value'. The higher the voltage, the higher the resistance between the HV system and the car body. Most cars read >4.9 volts. If the dealer evaluated the car, they should have documented the P0AA6 code and maybe even the 'short wave highest value'. This low resistance can be caused by other things also, like a cable being damaged, an inverter issue, a transaxle issue and believe it or not, an AC compressor issue. Your AC compressor is actually an electric motor driven by the HV system. And...your 12v battery is not a typical 'starter' battery. It is used only to power up the car computers and the normal 12v devices like fans, etc. The engine is actually spun by the HV system (using the transaxle as a motor).
It's a 2006 do you know if it still has the original HV battery in it? And that aside while the Techstream, is the software that the Toyota Tech's use. For this issue I think it's overkill? The Dr Prius app and a Bluetooth OBD adaptor should show you the battery SOC as far as I know? It's less than 25 buck's. But if the car is dead? I have no idea what it show?
just keep in mind that a P0AA6 has no impact on SOC, but it does have subcodes to help determine the location of the actual insulation problem.
