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The triangle of death comes and goes and there is no DTC codes.

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by derekc, Apr 9, 2018.

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  1. derekc

    derekc Junior Member

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    The triangle of death comes and goes and there is no DTC codes. Why? Oil level low? No, I intentionally filled it up to the up mark and it still does it.
    I even have a mini PC running techstream and connecting to a 4G hotspot so that I can remote control it to scan code the moment my wife tells me the triangle comes out. Still no code.

    What could be the causes of the triangle come and go without registering any codes?

    2018-04-09 19_20_50-954879701040783205%3Faccount_id%3D0 (2048×1536).jpg
     
    #1 derekc, Apr 9, 2018
  2. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    Can you take a pic of Techstream and post it?

    If the red triangle is illuminated, there is a code;).

    Any drive ability issues that your wife has noticed?

    Keep us posted (y).
     
    #2 Raytheeagle, Apr 9, 2018
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  3. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    You should check your coolant level at the radiator.

    I see your maintenance light is on, how low was your level?
     
    #3 JC91006, Apr 9, 2018
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  4. derekc

    derekc Junior Member

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    Maint Req'd Light is because of oil change due. I plan to do it soon.
    Oil level is good. Coolant level is good. Inverter coolant level is also good.
    IMG_20180409_195827583.jpg IMG_20180409_195745015.jpg IMG_20180409_195716986.jpg

    The triangle only comes and goes. It is no longer there when she called me (but she managed to take a pic of it and texted to me.) It came up when the car was parked and engine started. She never noticed any driving issue.

    Techstream screen capture is below. I don't have the "health check" button for some reason.

    2018-04-09 20_12_52-W81STICK - TeamViewer.jpg

    2018-04-09 20_13_03-W81STICK - TeamViewer.jpg
     
    #4 derekc, Apr 9, 2018
  5. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    A common issue is the inverter pump fails and the triangle comes on. But it would come on for an extended period until the car cools down. Doesn't come and go in a minute
     
    #5 JC91006, Apr 9, 2018
  6. derekc

    derekc Junior Member

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    I see the fluid running when the engine was running. Inverter pump is fine.
    I know oil level would trigger some warning but never register any code. What else could?
     
    #6 derekc, Apr 9, 2018
  7. 2k1Toaster

    2k1Toaster Brand New Prius Batteries

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    Kind of left field, but it could be your door switch. For example if you put the car in D or B and open your door you should get the triangle and an angry message on the MFD. If your door switch is marginal then as you drive it may be detecting the door as open and that's the triangle?
     
    #7 2k1Toaster, Apr 10, 2018
  8. derekc

    derekc Junior Member

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    Possible. I will check it out tomorrow. It is actually a very good hint.
     
    #8 derekc, Apr 10, 2018
  9. derekc

    derekc Junior Member

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    Nope, not the door switches. When any door is ajar, there is also another warning on the dashboard:

    2018-04-10 09_36_38-Photo - Google Photos.jpg

    So, it is still a mystery why the triangle light comes and goes. Anything suggestion is welcome.
     
    #9 derekc, Apr 10, 2018
  10. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    how many miles on her?
    i wonder if there could be a loose wire or corrosion causing a bad ground somewhere.
     
    #10 bisco, Apr 10, 2018
  11. derekc

    derekc Junior Member

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    And the aux battery is ok. 13V.
     
    #11 derekc, Apr 10, 2018
  12. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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    I haven't had my Techstream out for a while, so I'm rusty and might be off in left field (again), but the pictures look like they are just for the HV system and all the other systems are yellow (unknown). Aren't there other things that can bring up the big red triangle?
     
    #12 jerrymildred, Apr 10, 2018
  13. derekc

    derekc Junior Member

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    These black market techstream (V12) is tricky. Currently I am missing the "Health check" button and every time I need to click on each "section" to pull codes. Here is the description of the same problem that I will need to work on:

    Techstream installation issues (incomplete functions)

    I did click on each "section" and there was no code at all.
     
    #13 derekc, Apr 10, 2018
  14. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    If you disconnected the 12v at any time, that would erase majority of the codes stored. So next time when the red triangle comes up, there would be a stored code somewhere.
     
    #14 JC91006, Apr 10, 2018
  15. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    13v is not right for the 12v. measure it at the jump point in the morning before opening the drivers door.
     
    #15 bisco, Apr 10, 2018
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  16. derekc

    derekc Junior Member

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    I actually did disconnect the 12V battery over the weekend when I islotated it for charging.
    The issue is the triangle comes and goes. When it is gone, codes are still store somewhere?
    I really need to reinstall my techstream correctly to get the healthcheck button. It is so time consuming to scan each "section".
     
    #16 derekc, Apr 10, 2018
  17. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    It would be stored under "history" and not "current"
     
    #17 JC91006, Apr 10, 2018
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  18. derekc

    derekc Junior Member

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    Ok. Understood. I will learn more about how to correctly use TechStream.
    Wife driving it now. I will do that this evening.
     
    #18 derekc, Apr 10, 2018
  19. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk EGR Fanatic

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    I know Owner's Manual says that, but I've never disconnected for charging, never any problems. We drive only every 2 or 3 days, and I use a fast connected smart charger, pretty much constantly on.

    Note, if you measured that 13.0 volts fresh after charging, it'll ready falsely high, due to surface charge (no clue other'n that). You would need to drive it and let sit overnight, check voltage the next morning.

    probably nothing to do with your warning light, just saying.
     
    #19 Mendel Leisk, Apr 10, 2018
  20. dolj

    dolj Senior Member

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    I notice that the headlight level sensor error icon is on the MFD. Have you checked that sensor and the attachment arm are in good condition? It is located at the rear attached to the suspension. Not sure which side. The left, maybe?
     
    #20 dolj, Apr 10, 2018
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