2006 Red triangle

Was taking out my car out of garage in reverse with slight turn on steering wheel and breaks (nothing of significance, just in case it's helpful knowing when exactly issue occurred) and got the Red Triangle along with check engine light

• Initially thought it was due to oil change light being there for few days (last change was 3000 miles earlier however number of months were more than 6 months) and as such dip stick showed oil level not below the lower mark. However after driving turned out my hybrid battery was not being used at all, or it showed momentary usage and majority of time hybrid battery was getting charged even if half full (occasionally full green, still at low speed no power from it going to transmission I presume).

Was able to drive for few days before taking to mechanic and he told hybrid battery problems (unfortunately didn't get to see all their readings) and replacement cost would be 5K (which is more than the value of the car). Even though it was a shop I had gone for oil change so not sure if they investigating it thoroughly.

• I did have a timing belt change few (~5) years ago, which I was not sure if it was required since it was a speed dees mechanic indicating at oil change I could be left stranded due to it. However after changing I had felt on occasions slippage (not sure if right verbiage), however car used to recover. I never got it checked again due to that experience. Now wondering if timing belt can be a cause of any hybrid transmission issues. Also since then occasionally had heard clanking noise at different times when car was accelerated from stopped position.

(Didn't discuss all this with recent mechanic to get it checked after he had indicated hybrid battery issue).

Also the hybrid fan turns out frequently, guess to cool it down, however not sure what's drawing the power if it's not getting used for transmission. Other potential causes I am wondering on

• I did have a magnetic phone charger lying in car (the charging end is magnetic such that center spike and surrounding don't connect) which at times have stuck against metallic bar at bottom of seat, which technically could short when the bar touches both the center spike and surrounding cylindrical plate of charging cable. However that's been for years and not sure if cigarette light charger uses 12V aux battery or the hybrid.
• Other issue I found few months ago, while replacing passenger side headlight, was the headlight connecting socket, the 3 prong plastic socket appeared to have damaged (melted partially) due to heat. The metallic pins were still there connected to wires. As such after replacing the bulb it turns on/off fine. Here also not sure if headlights draw power from 12V or hybrid, and any shorting is occurring. And if it's something which could cause the hybrid battery issues and corresponding red triangle.
• Other issue I had was my rear wind shield had stopped spraying water for some time ago (it does rotate, just water was not spraying. Front one was fine so it was not like if tank was empty). However after just recent oil change it started spraying.
• My 12V battery was replaced 3 years ago, also it was slightly oversized in height (ACDelco Gold B24R 24 Month Warranty Hybrid Vehicle AGM BCI Group 51 Battery
  ) than the OEM one that fits 2006, however it worked fine and still working as such (not sure if that is now causing hybrid issues and if I should replace it).

As such I can drive the car with gas (had a drop in mileage from 45-58 to 35), just acceleration is sluggish and hybrid battery never gets used other than it getting charged all the time. Turning the car after some inactivity as such battery shows blue 50% and only when the car is started it starts dropping and continuous recharging. Last few days it appears it was losing transmission completely and slows down even with full acceleration, have to take to side and turn off power and back on to make it drive.

Have used Foseal OBDII scanner however it shows no codes and 3 systems not ready (INC) - catalyst Monitor, EVAP System Mon, and Oxygen Sensor Mon.
from Data stream - VPWR(V) - 13.789
EQ_RATB1S1 - 1.003 and all others N/A
O2B1S2 (V) - 0.855 and all others N/A
No codes are getting generated so not sure if it's scanner issue.

Checking out here if any of above are helpful and if I should try replacing 12V battery or headlight socket, before considering other options like taking to another shop (Toyota specializing one) than one I visited, just that might be without it for few days & and not clear if outcome (Hybrid battery issue) will be same.

 

Thanks for the replies,

110K

I had done that after watching an YouTube video as one easy option to try out. Don't recollect now if I used OBD scanner before that or afterwards.

Well they had charged around $30 or so (Definitely less than 100), so could be something else or getting fooled. I was not happy that only after going with his recommendation encountered the slippage and the clanking noise, else there was no issue before whatever that mechanic did.

Will check and see am able to do it on my own. Assuming accessing it is more difficult than replacing 12V battery and requires removing side panels etc.