2008 Prius suddenly stopped driving

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by JMM613, Jun 10, 2025 at 2:03 PM.

  1. JMM613

    JMM613 New Member

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    Yesterday my daughter was driving my 2008 Prius when suddenly the big red triangle and the car with the exclamation point flashed in and the car decelerated - luckily she was able to pull over into a parking spot. I have tried the car a few times since and the errors remain and the car will not drive for more than 1-2 seconds. Don't think it will reverse. The main screen is mostly blank (but has the car with exclamation mark). I've read some other posts - am going to try and jump the car and hopefully it's just a random battery issue. If that doesn't work - does anyone have any other ideas to at least get it running to get it to the mechanic without a tow? Also - what other culprits could be the main issue? Hoping it's not the main battery... All help is appreciated!! Thanks in advance.
     
    #1 JMM613, Jun 10, 2025 at 2:03 PM
  2. Brian1954

    Brian1954 Senior Member

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    You need to use a scanner to read the trouble codes.
     
    #2 Brian1954, Jun 10, 2025 at 11:20 PM
  3. JMM613

    JMM613 New Member

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    It ended up having a bunch of codes but luckily once the new battery was installed - it's back to humming along! Thank G-d!!
     
    #3 JMM613, Jun 10, 2025 at 11:26 PM
  4. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    Make sure it's not out of gas, don't think it's a battery issue
     
    #4 JC91006, Jun 11, 2025 at 1:05 AM
  5. JMM613

    JMM613 New Member

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    Has a good half tank ... Definitely seems to have been a battery issue... There are probably other underlying issues, but it doesn't appear that they are critical...
     
    #5 JMM613, Jun 11, 2025 at 1:57 AM
  6. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

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    You say in the MFD up in the upper left corner the red that's normally green is red.

    Probably inverter pump . Codes are help for this easy issue . Scanner should be with car or In purse
     
    #6 Tombukt2, Jun 11, 2025 at 8:22 AM
    Last edited by a moderator: Jun 11, 2025 at 3:28 PM
  7. Leadfoot J. McCoalroller

    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller Senior Member

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    I agree it sounds like it is the inverter coolant pump. When that locks up it often blows a fuse, and will blow any replacement fuse as well until the pump is disconnected.

    If that is the problem then this thread my help.

    A good Prius-aware code reader will be very helpful in the future. You should know that many of the cheaper ones cannot fully diagnose a Prius and will give you a false clean bill of health. Have a look at the Autel AP200 or AP2500.
     
    #7 Leadfoot J. McCoalroller, Jun 11, 2025 at 8:42 AM
  8. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

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    Only the 200 please. Unplug the black plug above fuse box if am2 is blown . Now replace am2 and drive.
     
    #8 Tombukt2, Jun 11, 2025 at 8:46 AM
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