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Red Triangle of DEATH

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by P08A80, Feb 14, 2020.

  1. P08A80

    P08A80 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 14, 2020
    19
    4
    0
    Location:
    Fremont, CA
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    I thought I was one of the lucky ones but... Yes it happened to me too.

    I'm currently in an Oriellys parking lot not knowing if it's safe to drive my car 30 miles home.

    Car: 2007 105k miles Prius Touring.
    Bought used at 88k miles


    Codes pulled:

    P0A80: Replace hybrid battery pack
    P3000: Battery control system malfunction
    C1241: Low battery positive voltage or abnormally high battery positive voltage


    Symptoms:

    It would make a back and forth electrical noise when I'm at a stop only some of the time.

    Radio has skipped stations on its own.

    I knew there was a small electric problem but never brought it in a shop.

    My 12v battery shows 11.6v when checked using the internal diagnostic method after being left off for one night.

    After the red Triangle came on mid drive, there was a loud fan sounding noise in the back, but has not been heard since.

    My last three miles seem to have dropped in mpg averaging 35 but need to confirm.


    I got oil change and all fluids topped off.

    Questions:

    It safe to put another 30-40 miles on her to go home?

    Is the 12v battery bad?

    Is the hybrid definitely bad?

    What's my course of action (for minimal spending)?


    You have my thanks.
     
    #1 P08A80, Feb 14, 2020
  2. bikr357

    bikr357 Plugged in Member

    Joined:
    Jul 12, 2009
    63
    23
    16
    Location:
    Houston, Texas
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Most likely your 12v battery is bad. Oreilly's is where I've gotten my last 3 12v batteries. The fan noise in the back is the cooling fan for the battery pack the intake grill is at the passenger side rear seat and the discharge port is just forward of the 12v battery.

    These cars get really squirrelly whet the 12v voltage drops and start throwing all kinds of errors and exhibiting odd behaviors when voltages drop even slightly (like reporting non-existent problems with the high voltage battery). The 12v batteries are good for only about 3 years so if you haven't replaced it since you bought the car, start there. Also it would be a good time to confirm you have good coolant movement in the inverter coolant tank when the car is "on".
     
    #2 bikr357, Feb 15, 2020
  3. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 28, 2016
    11,518
    14,128
    0
    Location:
    Tampa, FL
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    I've been an electrician for many years, but I have no idea what a back and forth electrical noise is.

    Not the best way to test it, but it doesn't look good.

    That's the car's typical response to a failed traction battery.

    Possibly, if you take it easy. I'd probably chance it, but be ready to call a tow truck just in case.

    It might just need a good charge. Depends on why it's low.

    Almost certainly. But get the 12V fully charged and see how it does first.

    When my wife's '07 needed a new traction battery a couple years ago, I put in a battery made from a full set of cells from a 2-year old car that had been totaled. Much less than new and WAY better than a rebuilt battery. At 105k miles, you should have a lot of life left in that car if you want to keep it. Then again, new batteries cost way less than they used to.
     
    #3 jerrymildred, Feb 15, 2020
    SFO likes this.
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