2007 losing power and throwing multiple lights

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Natelynne, Aug 31, 2018.

  1. Natelynne

    Natelynne New Member

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    I just bought a used 2007 Prius hatchback 4dr at 172k miles. The dealer said everything worked fine, and it didn't appear to have any issues while test driving. While taking it home, it slowed from 50mph to about 8mph and I had to pull off. A bunch of lights came on- the tire pressure, brake system, a car with an exclamation point, a triangle with an exclamation point.

    I was able to get it home, it struggled to get up to 40 but once it hit 40 it didn't have a problem accelerating. It seemed to be only losing power on hills, as it limped up the final hill to my house at a grand 10mph.

    This morning we called the dealer and he said not his problem since it didn't happen with them. So I've been looking into possible issues and one thread said to try and "force charge" the battery by pressing the brakes and gas at the same time. This caused "problem" to flash across the screen and a red battery that says Main popped up. I turned off the car when this happened.

    A few hours later, my SO was looking around under the hood and the brake felt kind of like it was trying to pop up/push against my foot. Then, he wanted me to do the force charge thing to see if the battery light would come back on and the car moved forward while I had the brake pressed. Reverse did not have this trouble. The car then started to make a high pitched squealing. When looking in the fluid for turbulence there's slight shaking but I'm not sure if that's vibrations or the pump.

    Any help would be appreciated!
     
    #1 Natelynne, Aug 31, 2018
  2. Dxta

    Dxta Senior Member

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    Well!!! The dealer I think cleared the codes before you can to get the car home. That's what so e of them do. They already know what problems such vehicles have. You should ha e gone there with someone that's more experienced with hybrid cars.

    Back to the post. All the symptoms you mentioned definitely has to do with your HV battery pack. Its already showing signs of failure.

    If you have a scantool, you could get the car checked for codes logged on the ECU. That would give you an idea of what specifically the problem (s) might be.

    The brakes kicking against your foot, tells me there might also be problems concerning the ABS pump or....

    The battery pack in your car is already weak, or failing. Force charging em, won't do any good.

    You are only burning more gasoline, and blabla.

    Best bet for you is to get the car to a dealership to inspect, or you do the job yourself.

    From the response if the dealer when you called, should tell you, he already knew what the problem of the car was.



    Dxta
     
    #2 Dxta, Aug 31, 2018
  3. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    Your car has at least two problems:

    1. High voltage traction battery likely has failed.
    2. The brake actuator may have failed. That is why the brake pedal is acting weird and you are hearing the high pitched noise.

    Read your purchase contract and research your state law to see if you can reverse the sales transaction. The best solution would be to get out of that purchase.

    If you rely upon dealer service you could easily spend $5,000 to install a new traction battery and brake actuator.
     
    #3 Patrick Wong, Aug 31, 2018
  4. Natelynne

    Natelynne New Member

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    It does seem like the dealer knew, and we're stuck with it now. The battery drained from full to 2 bars within a few minutes while parked, so it probably is the battery. We do apparently have some kind of bumper to bumper warranty from the creditor, and the dealer said the warranty *should* cover it if it's the battery. I hope so because the price of a hybrid battery hurts my heart.

    Oh yikes that's expensive! How much cheaper would it be to replace it ourselves? Is it possible the hybrid battery going bad is responsible?
     
    #4 Natelynne, Aug 31, 2018
  5. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    both are fairly easy diy for an experienced person. you can buy a new battery, and pick up an actuator on eBay or salvage.
     
    #5 bisco, Aug 31, 2018
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  6. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    These are not fairly easy repairs
     
    #6 JC91006, Aug 31, 2018
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  7. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    depends on your skill level.
     
    #7 bisco, Aug 31, 2018
  8. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    The OP just bought her car. You're giving the OP hope that the repairs would be easy and cheap. And that's not going to be the case here
     
    #8 JC91006, Aug 31, 2018
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  9. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    keep hope alive:)
     
    #9 bisco, Aug 31, 2018
    Last edited: Aug 31, 2018
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  10. dolj

    dolj Senior Member

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    False hope is just cruel. :cry:
     
    #10 dolj, Aug 31, 2018
  11. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    nothing false for people who want to learn. we have actually witnessed people here installing new batteries.
     
    #11 bisco, Aug 31, 2018
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  12. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    Learn with these 2 potential problems?

    1. Battery replacement can break your back and stop your heart if you touch the wrong places. Killing you

    2. Brake actuator if done wrong will not stop your car, killing you.

    Maybe you want to learn on something less difficult
     
    #12 JC91006, Aug 31, 2018
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  13. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i don't see how that is helpful, are you saving no one should change their battery pack unless they have already changed a battery pack?
     
    #13 bisco, Sep 1, 2018
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