Needs opinion-Hybrid System Malfunction- Prius V 2016

Hi to all,

I am new to this interesting forum regarding Prius Hybrid technology.

I have 2016 Prius V (150260 kms) that I was about to park at the mall but than it displayed message "Hybrid system malfunction"-Park your vehicle at the safe place. There was "death triangle" and "engine light" on.

I was bit confused and worried by this message as this is my first hybrid vehicle.

I decided to go home (about 6 kms ) so that I could park it in my parking lot and check. I drove slowly at about 55Km/hr.

At home, I opened the hood, and checked that the Engine coolant reservoir was between F and L level but Inverter coolant reservoir was empty. I tried to find the source of leak if any. I found the pinkish fluid on the upper left corner of the radiator. I also noticed that one of the horn was pressed against the radiator at that corner. (pictures attached)

I tried to recall any damage while driving in recent days but I couldn't (I am the only driver of this car). After recalling hard, I remember,about 4-5 days back, I heard a sound familiar to "windshield chip injury", while driving on the highway, few days back.

But I could not find any such damage on the windshield.

Now I am thinking
-whether that was the sound of the stone/foreign object damage to my radiator ?
- or the sound of blown fuse from the hood ?


Since this problem occurred, I am following different post online and specially this blog and getting a lot of important information.

I came to know that the engine coolant system and inverter coolant system are independent of each other including their radiators and pumps.

I was thinking about the inverter coolant pump issue too. So I bought the Toyota inverter coolant from the Toyota dealership, filled the inverter coolant reservoir and tried to start my car in "ready" mode.
I could not find any turbulence/movement of the coolant in the reservoir. It (coolant level) remained at the same level where I left a night before. I tried the same procedure next day to check the inverter coolant pump working but there was still no visible turbulence of the coolant.

At this point, I did not check the codes yet as I have no OBD2 reader.

Now I am thinking:-

Damage to the inverter radiator is obvious in the picture but:-

1) whether the inverter cooling pump got fried (when I drove my car home) and is not working?
(Is there any other way to rule out inverter pump? Any fuse for the pump??)


2) Inverter is working or not?? (Is there any relation between the starting of the car and the good health of the inverter ??)

3) Can I drive my car to the dealer (about 10 kms) for diagnosis (risk to overheat the inverter?)

Am I missing somethings ? Your opinion is highly appreciated.

Thanks

 

I am wondering if my thread is posted for the opinion.

 

Thank you IMKenNY for your opinion.

But at the same time I was wondering, why the coolant level of inverter reservoir did not go down when I started the car ??

Is there any other problem also?

 

Thanks Air Boss for replying.

Yeah, Horn is kind of embedded in the inverter radiator part with the pinkish stain. I tried to straighten it but its tough. What an impact..

 

Hello to all,

Thank you everybody for your help in troubleshooting the issue and kind suggestions.

My car is working now (No engine light and death triangle).

Problem:- It was the leaked inverter radiator located behind the horn (the horn was embedded in the radiator- do not know how it happened ? )

I checked the warranty booklet that read- coverage of Hybrid system if under 96 months/160000 kms. Mine was at around 150 thousand kms.

I eventually towed it to my dealership (from where I bought it ). They checked the Hybrid system- and diagnosed the inverter radiator coolant leak (ruled out any inverter pump of the inverter itself).

Why I decided to stick with the dealership:- because of my valid inverter coverage.
Tried to get used Inverter radiator:- I called the salvage parts shop in my area but could not find the part. The nearest was in BC.

Now, the next step is to put a steel wire mesh in front of the radiator, to save if from any stone damage in the future.

Interesting Point - I asked one of the local mechanic regarding diagnosing the functionality of the inverter coolant pump (in READY position- looking for the coolant turbulence in the reservoir), he told me that, in Gen 4 Prius, the pump dose not work continuously (during P mode). There is time when the engine is running active and the hybrid system is passive and vice versa.
So there is a chance to diagnose pump failure when the hybrid system is quiet.

What are your views regarding interesting point?

Thank you again