Hi! My 2007 Prius started showing the red triangle after sitting in the garage for three months , with only being started and idled for a few minutes every weekend. It drives fine. The dealership completed a 10K servicing and found nothing wrong during its checkpoint inspection. I’m still waiting to be told the fault codes but they recommend replacement of the hybrid battery for about $3.5 K. I never had an issue with this car though it has a couple of dents from stupid driving mistakes. All recalls were taken care of and all servicing has been done with the dealership. I took it for smog testing to be able to sell it and midway the red triangle and check engine lights went away. Smog test is complete. What happened here? Will it keep for a couple of years without a new battery? Should I sell it for nothing and be done with it. I am in California.
Welcome to PriusChat!! Even with knowing the fault codes (DTCs), it may be difficult to predict how long the vehicle might last in its current state. If you paid the Toyota dealer to diagnose the vehicle, they should provide the fault codes with or without the repair estimate.
When you're offered those DTCs (fault codes), please post them in this thread and someone will offer help deciphering.
Here is the brief workup for DTC P0A80 : https://share.qclt.com/%E4%B8%B0%E7%94%B0%E6%99%AE%E7%91%9E%E6%96%AF%E5%8E%9F%E5%8E%82%E8%8B%B1%E6%96%87%E6%89%8B%E5%86%8Cpdf%E6%A0%BC%E5%BC%8F/Repair%20Manual/04pruisr/05/20zmw/cip0a80.pdf The HV battery could fail in days, weeks or months, but please don't consider two more years as very likely. Though it may not leave you on the side of the road in a completely broken down state when it does fail, it might still be a good idea to have it fixed or replaced if you depend on the vehicle for anything mission critical (work, doctor, school, appointments, etc).
One thing is for sure, the Prius doesn't take too kindly to be left un-driven for months on end. Your idea of starting it once a week is a good one, but the period is way too short. 30 - 60 minutes left in READY would be better, but this still does not exercise the HV battery, periodic driving would be better. Seriously, consider if you really need the car and if not, sell it while it still running.
Yes, it was a big omission on my part. I could have just used it for commute every other day. Does the fact that the red triangle went away on its own potentially mean that It was just a matter of charging? I know it is likely impossible.
There are four (4) types of labeling for DTCs; Stored, Pending, Current and Permanent. The required conditions for DTC P0A80 were met during a drive cycle, and the red triangle illuminated. Once the conditions that trigger P0A80 are no longer met and after three (3) drive cycles, the red triangle will turn off, and the code is then "Stored" in the ECU for future retrieval. If conditions for P0A80 are again met during a drive cycle, the DTC will be "Current" and the light will reappear. Hoping someone will explain it better, or correct my inaccuracies
Its very possible that the error was just from the battery sitting. driving it and drain/charging the battery can revive it. I would just keep using it if you like the car. If the battery does eventually die they easily replaced. Just follow youtube videos. I bought a new one from the dealer for $1800 and installed myself in the garage.
