Which way first?

Hi folks,

I've got a 2002 Prius with issues. I am new to Prius, and have had the car for about a year. I use it for work, doing same-day deliveries, about 1000 miles of city/suburban driving per week, in the LA/OC area.

I need to ask about the relationship between the transaxle and the traction battery, and if the failure of the first is known to cause the failure of the second.

I suspect that I am not, yet, at the correct forum to even ask this question, so please tell me who I should ask? At this point, I don't know where to start.

Thanks!

Dave