Hello, About a year ago, I bought used 2005 PRIUS generation 2. After 10 months or so replaced hybrid battery from Greentech with 2-year warrantee. A bit of history. I was driving on an interstate highway when the break beep started, and the red triangle light up with other indicators. The car could not accelerate, steering became heavy. Car cannot start neither can take the key FOB off. Towed and diagnosis was bad battery. So replaced it. After replacement it was fine for about a month. Same exact incident happened but here are the differences and a kicker. If I give few hours, all alerts are off, and I can drive the car without any problem. Checked with 2 different shops and there are no error codes. I bought the code scanner myself and I found no indication of the error. I am seeking help for any insights, experiences, recommendation on a shop specialized for such an issue. My running is limited, 25 miles a day but I do not want to end up on a highway with stalled car. I also like to keep it since it only has 179000 miles and spend money on the hybrid battery. Car is well maintained and in a good physical condition. May just be coincident but both times, the incident started after I put the air conditioner on. Appreciate help and guidance.
1) check the inverter fluid reservoir for fluid movement with the car on. 2) check the am2 fuse 3) who diagnosed the bad battery? 4) what scan tool do the shops have? what scan tool did you buy? 5) if there are trouble lights, there are error codes, but you might need a prius aware scanner
Communication errors and the power source control modules can get funny on these. So so a Very aware bi directional scanner is imperative and inexpensive . Ap200 is 67 bux .
Symptoms are similar to an inverter cooling water pump failure. Sometimes this pump failing will pop the AM2 fuse, but if that fuse opens, it also completely kills the car. If the pump is failing, but doesn't open the fuse, the inverter starts overheating (especially if the AC is on) and will end up giving the RTOD and putting you on the side of the road. Once the inverter cools down, it will let you drive again, until it heats up again. It's a very easy check, and should throw a very obvious code. P0A93 if I remember correctly.
