2008 Toyota Prius, EV/Electrical issues, Looking for Help

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Greenhouse89, Jun 12, 2025 at 6:19 PM.

  1. Greenhouse89

    Greenhouse89 New Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
    Usa
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    SE
    I got this car back in 2019 and it ran great for a few months, but has been an electrical nightmare for the last year. It started with the key fob no longer opening my door when I was near, I have to put the key fob in the car to get it to start, and the speedometer and electronic dash cluster needs to be replaced, so it will just completely stop working until I reset the battery. My AC will also refuse to work for days or weeks at a time and seemingly at random, start working again, and I have a fan in the back passenger seat that is on full blast and cannot be turned off.

    The EV battery has had the cells tested and refilled 5 or 6 times in the last few years, but have become a real problem in the last couple of weeks. I took the car to Auto Zone and did the check engine light plug-in and got: P0301, C1241, C1259, and C1310. My dad also has a Prius, a newer model, and has been having similar issues with misfires recently, so I had him take a look and we changed the spark plugs. I'm still getting the misfire detected. He recommended changing the caps too, but I just can't afford them right now. Would that even be worth doing at this point, or a waste of money?

    This Prius is my daily driver, I am the only bread winner currently and I am near broke. Every time I drive the car, it feels worse. The entire dashboard lights up with almost every warning light and the red triangle of doom every time I turn it on. Half the time I have to shut the car completely off at a stop light because if I drive it too long, it won't shift, which is a recent development. Then, last night, it wouldn't stop accelerating. When I hit the break, the car felt weird, I could feel it accelerating and trying to break simultaneously. I was keeping pace with a guy on the highway going 51 MPH and I didn't have my foot on the gas or the break.

    So as of right now, what are my best options? Do I take it to Toyota, have them replace the battery with an auto loan or outright sell it and try and buy something else? Is it even safe to drive at this point? I have access to the bus near my apartment, but I work late often, so I can't get a bus back home, plus it's 2-3 hour walk and my knees aren't in the best shape. I'm stressin' out. Thank you for you consideration and help if you made it this far.
     
  2. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 29, 2020
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    Location:
    Durham NC
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    Base
    What part of the country are you in this car in. It fo.nsie difference. You have a lot going on and not slot to work with it seems . Do you have basic wal.mart tools n such or do you try n stay away from tools ? .
     
  3. Brian1954

    Brian1954 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jan 31, 2021
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    Location:
    South Central PA, USA
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    III
    How many miles on the car?

    Based on the trouble codes that you posted, you have at least two separate problems with the car besides the dashboard problem.

    The P0301 is a misfire in cylinder #1. That is one of the problems.

    The second problem is with the hybrid system in the car. The C1259 and C1310 codes are telling you that there is at least one trouble code being reported by the hybrid control system, but the Auto Zone scanner was not good enough to give you the code. So, you need a better scanner that is capable of communicating with the hybrid control system to find out what the trouble code is. Based on your description that the hybrid battery cooling fan is running at full speed. My guess is that you have a problem with the hybrid battery.

    You stated, "The EV battery has had the cells tested and refilled 5 or 6 times in the last few years, ........". What do you mean by "refilled," and who did the work on the hybrid battery?

    Depending on how many miles you have on the car, your best option may be to sell it and get a replacement vehicle.
     
  4. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 29, 2020
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    Location:
    Durham NC
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    Base
    If it needs a battery it needs it. Another car with a battery when it wears out it will need replacement this will never end .