Red Triangle, Car Won't Start

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Alejandro, Jul 28, 2017.

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  1. Alejandro

    Alejandro New Member

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    I have a 2008 Prius Touring with 101,500 miles I bought a couple months ago. My problem started two weeks ago. I get the red triangle, yellow "!", and VSC lights while driving anywhere between 0.1 and 25 miles. When I turn off the car, it won't go into Ready mode unless I disconnect the 12V battery for 30 seconds and reconnect. Then the lights go away and the same things happens as I said before.

    I checked my 12V battery and it's fine. It reads around 12.76 V when the car is off and around 13.8 V when running. I even cleaned the battery and its connections.

    I recently noticed the inverter coolant pump had failed so I replaced that and coolant flows normally now. I thought this would solve the problem but 7 miles later and the lights are back on. I have no idea what the problem could be.
     
    #1 Alejandro, Jul 28, 2017
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    welcome!
    you are going to have to read the trouble codes to find out.
     
    #2 bisco, Jul 28, 2017
  3. Travis Decker

    Travis Decker Active Member

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    You need to get a mini VCI and get the fault codes with a techstream otherwise you're just wasting your time.
     
    #3 Travis Decker, Jul 28, 2017
  4. hchu1

    hchu1 Active Member

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    As the above posters have stated, you're going to have to get the codes read and disconnecting the battery only wipes the codes. Not all code readers will pickup hybrid specific codes, that is why the mini vci/techstream combo is needed or get it read at the dealership.


    2006 Gen 2
    2014 Gen 3 v wagon
     
    #4 hchu1, Jul 28, 2017
  5. dolj

    dolj Senior Member

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    As the above posters have stated, you're going to have to get the codes read so you know exactly with what you're dealing. It sounds like you will find a P0AA6 – Hybrid Battery Voltage System Isolation Fault.

    I wouldn't be surprised to learn the PO (previous owner) installed a rebuilt battery so they could on-sell the car. I hope there is a warranty you can call on. Beware, some rebuilders sell their HV battery rebuilds with a warranty that is non-transferable.
     
    #5 dolj, Jul 29, 2017
  6. Alejandro

    Alejandro New Member

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    I got the codes read at a shop and they came up with P0AA6-526. They said they are unable to isolate which specific component is causing the issue without pulling the code multiple times and hopefully getting a detailed code for which part is failing.

    The other method of diagnosis they said involved disconnecting each component of the hybrid system and using specialized equipment in order to isolate which component has the voltage leak which they said could cost hundreds of dollars for just the diagnosis.

    Any suggestions?
     
    #6 Alejandro, Aug 4, 2017
  7. Travis Decker

    Travis Decker Active Member

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    You need to order the mini VCI off Amazon. Then you can look at something called shortwave highest value and you can figure this out without making it completely stupid
     
    #7 Travis Decker, Aug 4, 2017
  8. Alejandro

    Alejandro New Member

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    Hi Travis,

    I have the mini VCI cable with TechStream but it won't let me use it without some registration key. Then it directs me to the Toyota site and tries to get me to buy a key through some sort of subscription.
     
    #8 Alejandro, Aug 4, 2017
  9. Travis Decker

    Travis Decker Active Member

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    You need to read the install instructions that came on disc with mini vci
     
    #9 Travis Decker, Aug 4, 2017
  10. johnjohnchu

    johnjohnchu Active Member

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    I have allocated 25 GB of hard drive just for 32-bit Win 10 and Techstream (downloaded latest version from the web). There is no need to use any device driver and SW that originally came with the mini vci cable. If you are insisting on using 64-bit OS, then you will run into unnecessary issues at every turn.
     
    #10 johnjohnchu, Aug 5, 2017
    Last edited: Aug 5, 2017
  11. Travis Decker

    Travis Decker Active Member

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    I concur with your assessment of 64-bit Windows 10. It works fine with the professional drewtech cables, but not with the silver ones. At least from my experience
     
    #11 Travis Decker, Aug 5, 2017
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  12. Alejandro

    Alejandro New Member

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    So I had the specialist shop diagnose the car this morning and here is what they came up with. My traction battery is corroded. I'm thinking there may be a bad seal somewhere along the car that has been letting water in and causing this. We have been having lots of rain recently since it's monsoon season in Arizona so I had always thought water could be the issue.

    Here is what they say:
    "Pulled codes and found 1--P0AA6 HYBRID BATTERY VOLTAGE SYSTEM ISOLATION FAULT with info codes 2-526 and 3-612. Inspected HV battery and found it's filled with corrosion, needs HV battery. Checked 12V battery and it's marginal dropped to 8V and 250 CCA."

    Also, I thought my 12V battery was good because I had it checked at multiple stores and all had good readings and my multimeter reads ~12.7V when the car is off and ~13.8V when the car is on. If that needs to be replaced as well, I can do that myself as well as replace the engine coolant. I'm just very hesitant to go near the hybrid system.

    They want to charge me $3,000 for a replacement traction battery. I had set aside around $3,200 for whatever the car needed so this is at the top of my budget. Any thoughts? Thanks, everyone.
     

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    #12 Alejandro, Aug 11, 2017
  13. Beachbummm

    Beachbummm Senior Member

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    I had the same code, the corrosion on the battery case is mostly caused by an acid leak..causing a short to ground, wear thick rubber gloves when removing it as there might be voltage at the case even with the safety plug removed. I found one cell was leaking through the positive screw at the bottom of the case .. I took all the cells out of the case and with a multi meter tested from the negative side to the hole at the bottom on the positive side any reading would indicate a leak.. I replaced the one bad cell and its been fine for almost a year now..total cost was $30 for a cell on e bay, $9 bucks for a set of PVC gloves from harbor freight and about 3 hours time start to finish following a youtube video... cleaned the case with baking soda and vinegar to neutralize the acid ..... good luck
     
    #13 Beachbummm, Aug 11, 2017
    Last edited: Aug 11, 2017
  14. dolj

    dolj Senior Member

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    The battery electrolyte is actually alkaline not acidic, so vinegar will neutralise it. Then rinse with clean water and dry thoroughly.
     
    #14 dolj, Aug 11, 2017
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