Been awhile since I posted. Haven't been driving much in the last year because of covid. (I'm high risk.) Maybe once a month or so for a doctor appointment, or just go and start the car and let it run a minute. Once around the block. Before today, it had bern two weeks since I took the car out. Before that, maybe a month since I had even started it. Today, I drove the 15 miles to the doctor's. No problems. Ran great. But as I was leaving, the triangle, brake and check engine all went off at once! I immediately pulled over, checked oil, fluids. All ok. Car running great. No smells, no noises. I have noticed that the hybrid batteries drain a bit quicker. (I live in the tropics, park outside.) But, it fills up pretty quick. Drove the 15 miles home- without any problem. And now posting this. I'll call the mechanic tomorrow. But wanted to get some ideas first. I called my brother- he said I just need to drive it more often. It's a 2007, with 138,000 miles Thanks in advance for any help, any ideas.
You will not know for sure until the codes are read (hopefully your mechanic will do that), but you have already hinted that you suspect the hybrid battery is going bad. That would not be a surprise if it is still original and the car has not been driven regularly in the last little while. Our Gen 2 is the same year as yours but I am not noticing rapid changes in the State of Charge of the HV battery because the car is driven every few days. With only 138k miles on yours (ours has 291k, for comparison), if it does turn out that the HV battery modules have become unbalanced due to infrequent use (the codes will reveal that), I would think it might be worthwhile replacing the battery with a brand new one from Toyota for many years of trouble-free driving, if the car is otherwise in good condition.
Your other non hybrid looks a lot like a g2 Prius if so you killed the hybrid battery not driving it like just about every other 07 on this site. It kills the 12 volt and the hybrid battery. The big very expensive battery. start reading about hybrid battery’s on this site lots of info.
Just let it be checked by a mechanic and youll know what's actually wrong. If not it will only be guessing... Even if you're stuck at home due to covid, just take the car for a drive more often. When you're alone in the car there's no risk and otherwise go outside rush hours to avoid people or traffic... I can imagine the battery is going bad when driving this few times and short distances over the last year. Maybe things can be saved after all when you met the mechanic and have the codes read out. Before that it will only be guessing... Best regards, Nick Black 2007 Prius
Not really guessing given the age of the battery and the circumstances and how many have failed on this site. Not a guess at all.
