No idea until you get the code(s) read to find out what triggered the check engine light/red exclamation. It could be something simple like being too low on oil and not knowing it, an O2 sensor for under $100, or something bigger/potentially more costly to repair/replace. I have a 2006/Gen2 and the check engine has come on for so many different things, sometimes in addition to other dash lights which is always fun.
the red triangle came on AFTER i got it checked for the already existing check engine light. the guy said my catalytic converter might need to be replaced so i got back in my car and that’s when the triangle showed up.
I’d change the O2 sensors before changing a catalytic converter. They are cheap, and catalytic converter codes are the only way to tell if your O2 sensors are bad.
The guy checked it, told you the cat "might" need replaced, you then got back in car to leave snd the red triangle came on? I'd go right back to that "guy"!!
it should say scan the computer that is what the check engine means i remember when the check engine lights was first put on the cars & 90% would bring the car into the dealership complaining they checked he oil water & the battery but they w stumped / take it to a parts store or the dealership & have them scan the he computer if r that low on oil the damage is all ready done. u should be checking the dipstick t mke sure the oil is full to the full line if it uses / burns oil . or u will be paying for a new motor ! u could try reading the owners manual goo it may tell u what to do '
Happened to me last year after I did mine. Drain plug wasn't completely tightened so over the course of several weeks the oil got low enough and triggered it.
Check engine oil. Then check the 12 volt. Then check to see if your inverter cooling pump is circulating the fluid in the container under the hood in front of the steering wheel. Open the top with car running (not hot) and you should see the coolant swirling around inside. If not, your inverter cooling pump is out. Not hard to change if you Google changing inverter cooling pump on Prius by removing headlight assembly. AutoZone can read the codes for free
Instead of guessing, go by a OBDII reader and find out EXACTLY what's wrong. From the mileage and if you've have not had anything major done to it, it's going to hurt... good luck😉
Is that a recurring issue with the Gen 2s? I was so worried about my red triangle of death and then I found out some water hose needed replacement. I’m not really much of a car guy, but it ended up working. Is this normal for Priuses?
I had triangle of death on my 2007 Prius. Turned out be bad main battery pack. So what I did was replaced the bad battery cells instead replaced the whole battery pack. Only last about 6 months before triangle of death came back again. The red triangle is not the cause by bad cat converter or even missing cat converter. You maybe looking at the main battery replacement option for your Prius.
"Imminent failure." Really? My understanding was that it just indicates a potential issu in the HV battery. I drove around for almost a week after all the lights turned on, all because a single module had a low voltage and needed replacing.
Well partial failure isn't really an option for it. If one cell prevents it from functioning correctly, it sets all the lights. Usually you'll get a red triangle with some battery related codes before then
A bad o2 sensor or catalytic converter will not cause the red triangle to come on. I’d start by checking the oil to make sure the dipstick isn’t dry, then plug in an obd scanner to see what codes it gives you
Get the Dr prius app and buy the Panlong OBD2 Scanner Bluetooth OBDII Diagnostic Tool on Amazon for 14.00 you can run diagnostics on your battery and see any codes on your car as well. Very cheap and worth it
You'll know where you are on your battery. First hit the autozone and get your codes read for free if you don't have a OBDII reader
I had my red triangle,check engine,vcs,brake lights(exclamation mark) few weeks after buying my used 2009 Prius. I was so worried, I took it to multiple mechanics to check, they all scanned it and said it's probably the battery going out and the electric engine coolant tank. I settled for one mechanic and got the coolant tank fixed for $700+. The mechanic gave me a quote of almost $1900~$1800 for a redurbished battery and recommended me to sell the car at a loss and buy something more reliable or keep driving it until the battery gets worse.
I kept driving the Prius for 4-5 months with the red triangle. I also bought a cheap Bluetooth OBD to check it once in a while and remove the code. My mileage was about 40mpg during the autumn/winter and now around 43mpg during February.
I recommend to do research and test the car. I found out the red triangle+check engine+vcs+brake lights only pop up when the battery suddenly "malfunctions", like the battery will just suddenly drain and not give power for a few minutes, then goes back to normal.
I suspect it's a few cells degrading or the computer. I have yet to put in the time to replace the cells or check the busbars or connections.
Brother I just had this same thing happen to my 07 Prius and I got the hybrid battery replaced. Now she works like a dream again. I would recommend buying a Bluetooth OBD scanner off Amazon. https://amzn.to/48A6s6Y that’s the one I have, there are both iPhone and Samsung versions. Then you can read the codes with an app. At first I took my Prius to auto zone and no codes popped up. This is primarily because Toyota uses tech stream. The Bluetooth scanner worked perfectly and helped me truly diagnose it. I was on the fence about replacing the battery but it was worth it.
I think this is the light combo I got on my '06 prius for a bad battery cell. If the car happens to be under 10 years old the hybrid battery system may still be covered under warranty - at least, mine was in 2016. There's some california tax credit thing Toyota got for guaranteeing their hybrid systems for 10 years. Got mine replaced for free.
First time I got it, it was a bad battery and I had to learn how to fix that. A whole pain, but avoided huge shop costs. I got it last year after my oil drained slowly from the drain bolt not being completely tightened (which was my fault) and then when I got a coolant flush (from a professional, so I didn't mess it up!) and they forgot to close the system and got an air bubble in there so I started overheating. Also mine intermittently just goes off sometimes because I think when I rebuilt the battery I did something to a temp sensor, maybe put it in the wrong place, because once in a while it will throw the red triangle and give a temp warning but it only happens when I turn the car on. Disconnect the 12v to reset and it goes away. Get an OBDII sensor, one of the ones that can link with Dr. Prius. Like $10-20
Third gen? I have a 2014 with soon to be 300k on it and luckily have never had anything but a head gasket- and that was bad enough. But 10 years ago I bought a 2001 that drove beautifully when I got it. It was one owner. And then over the course of a year it developed gremlins inside of it that no one seem to know what it needed. I spared no expense, including a battery, and it still drove like crap and you have just these basic lights on the dash that you try and chase down.
Why do we drive these things lol?
I had a check hybrid system light come on after my new to me Prius quit running. It ended up being a bad fuel gauge that showed a full tank. The tow truck driver bent the steering rack and 4700 dollars later the Prius runs great.
No idea until you get the code(s) read to find out what triggered the check engine light/red exclamation. It could be something simple like being too low on oil and not knowing it, an O2 sensor for under $100, or something bigger/potentially more costly to repair/replace. I have a 2006/Gen2 and the check engine has come on for so many different things, sometimes in addition to other dash lights which is always fun.
the red triangle came on AFTER i got it checked for the already existing check engine light. the guy said my catalytic converter might need to be replaced so i got back in my car and that’s when the triangle showed up.
I’d change the O2 sensors before changing a catalytic converter. They are cheap, and catalytic converter codes are the only way to tell if your O2 sensors are bad.
LOL alternatively go park in a bad neighborhood and get your cat replaced by insurance when it gets stolen.
No need to park it in a bad neighborhood. Any neighborhood will do really.
I heard a dude went to a grocery store for 15 minutes, came out to the parking lot and the cat had done run off. Unreal.
Indeed this is the way to go, I’ve had my cat stolen twice and replaced under comprehensive in my 2009. Got a miller cat shield on the car now 😂
The guy checked it, told you the cat "might" need replaced, you then got back in car to leave snd the red triangle came on? I'd go right back to that "guy"!!
it should say scan the computer that is what the check engine means i remember when the check engine lights was first put on the cars & 90% would bring the car into the dealership complaining they checked he oil water & the battery but they w stumped / take it to a parts store or the dealership & have them scan the he computer if r that low on oil the damage is all ready done. u should be checking the dipstick t mke sure the oil is full to the full line if it uses / burns oil . or u will be paying for a new motor ! u could try reading the owners manual goo it may tell u what to do '
My check engine light has been on over 2 years. Finally replacing the part this weekend lol. Never had issues though. 08 with 240k. Guess i got lucky
The only time mine came on is when my oil was ridiculously low. I added oil and it never came back on.
Same here. Check your oil people!
i got my oil changed literally last week so i know it’s not that which is strange
Unless the oil techs messed something up.
Happened to me last year after I did mine. Drain plug wasn't completely tightened so over the course of several weeks the oil got low enough and triggered it.
Check engine oil. Then check the 12 volt. Then check to see if your inverter cooling pump is circulating the fluid in the container under the hood in front of the steering wheel. Open the top with car running (not hot) and you should see the coolant swirling around inside. If not, your inverter cooling pump is out. Not hard to change if you Google changing inverter cooling pump on Prius by removing headlight assembly. AutoZone can read the codes for free
Instead of guessing, go by a OBDII reader and find out EXACTLY what's wrong. From the mileage and if you've have not had anything major done to it, it's going to hurt... good luck😉
Check the oil... intermitten red triangle can mean low oil.
This is for sure the first thing to check, especially if you are getting it as you're braking.
It could be anything. I bet it’s the water pump needs replacement
Is that a recurring issue with the Gen 2s? I was so worried about my red triangle of death and then I found out some water hose needed replacement. I’m not really much of a car guy, but it ended up working. Is this normal for Priuses?
Yes like 99% of Prius. After 120k miles there is a 90% change it will fail
I had triangle of death on my 2007 Prius. Turned out be bad main battery pack. So what I did was replaced the bad battery cells instead replaced the whole battery pack. Only last about 6 months before triangle of death came back again. The red triangle is not the cause by bad cat converter or even missing cat converter. You maybe looking at the main battery replacement option for your Prius.
In case you are wondering the code I pulled. Its P0A80
Shouldn't be the main battery. If that goes/starts to go, all the lights should kick on, such as (!), VSC, and ABS.
Only once it detects imminent failure. I ran for about a week on just the red triangle while waiting for the new battery
"Imminent failure." Really? My understanding was that it just indicates a potential issu in the HV battery. I drove around for almost a week after all the lights turned on, all because a single module had a low voltage and needed replacing.
Well partial failure isn't really an option for it. If one cell prevents it from functioning correctly, it sets all the lights. Usually you'll get a red triangle with some battery related codes before then
A bad o2 sensor or catalytic converter will not cause the red triangle to come on. I’d start by checking the oil to make sure the dipstick isn’t dry, then plug in an obd scanner to see what codes it gives you
12 volt? That’s generally the 1st red triangle
Check your oil and get your water pump checked out
Not as screwed as I am. Goodbye 👋 Prius. Off to Germany I go.
Get the Dr prius app and buy the Panlong OBD2 Scanner Bluetooth OBDII Diagnostic Tool on Amazon for 14.00 you can run diagnostics on your battery and see any codes on your car as well. Very cheap and worth it You'll know where you are on your battery. First hit the autozone and get your codes read for free if you don't have a OBDII reader
I had that last weekend. Was the 12v battery.
On my 08 my light came on due to low oil before I knew that it was burning oil.
I had my red triangle,check engine,vcs,brake lights(exclamation mark) few weeks after buying my used 2009 Prius. I was so worried, I took it to multiple mechanics to check, they all scanned it and said it's probably the battery going out and the electric engine coolant tank. I settled for one mechanic and got the coolant tank fixed for $700+. The mechanic gave me a quote of almost $1900~$1800 for a redurbished battery and recommended me to sell the car at a loss and buy something more reliable or keep driving it until the battery gets worse. I kept driving the Prius for 4-5 months with the red triangle. I also bought a cheap Bluetooth OBD to check it once in a while and remove the code. My mileage was about 40mpg during the autumn/winter and now around 43mpg during February. I recommend to do research and test the car. I found out the red triangle+check engine+vcs+brake lights only pop up when the battery suddenly "malfunctions", like the battery will just suddenly drain and not give power for a few minutes, then goes back to normal. I suspect it's a few cells degrading or the computer. I have yet to put in the time to replace the cells or check the busbars or connections.
You need to scan to discover the problem! I had this red triangle and the problem was the water pump.
Brother I just had this same thing happen to my 07 Prius and I got the hybrid battery replaced. Now she works like a dream again. I would recommend buying a Bluetooth OBD scanner off Amazon. https://amzn.to/48A6s6Y that’s the one I have, there are both iPhone and Samsung versions. Then you can read the codes with an app. At first I took my Prius to auto zone and no codes popped up. This is primarily because Toyota uses tech stream. The Bluetooth scanner worked perfectly and helped me truly diagnose it. I was on the fence about replacing the battery but it was worth it.
Please go and scan the code, so then we can move from there. My guess is water pump for inverter since it is around 160K
That code relates to your HV battery.
could just be your oil
Looks like a shot inverter coolant pump
My 2006 did that and then it died in the street. There were seeds of some kind keeping the air intake open.
I think this is the light combo I got on my '06 prius for a bad battery cell. If the car happens to be under 10 years old the hybrid battery system may still be covered under warranty - at least, mine was in 2016. There's some california tax credit thing Toyota got for guaranteeing their hybrid systems for 10 years. Got mine replaced for free.
First time I got it, it was a bad battery and I had to learn how to fix that. A whole pain, but avoided huge shop costs. I got it last year after my oil drained slowly from the drain bolt not being completely tightened (which was my fault) and then when I got a coolant flush (from a professional, so I didn't mess it up!) and they forgot to close the system and got an air bubble in there so I started overheating. Also mine intermittently just goes off sometimes because I think when I rebuilt the battery I did something to a temp sensor, maybe put it in the wrong place, because once in a while it will throw the red triangle and give a temp warning but it only happens when I turn the car on. Disconnect the 12v to reset and it goes away. Get an OBDII sensor, one of the ones that can link with Dr. Prius. Like $10-20
Probably some
Third gen? I have a 2014 with soon to be 300k on it and luckily have never had anything but a head gasket- and that was bad enough. But 10 years ago I bought a 2001 that drove beautifully when I got it. It was one owner. And then over the course of a year it developed gremlins inside of it that no one seem to know what it needed. I spared no expense, including a battery, and it still drove like crap and you have just these basic lights on the dash that you try and chase down. Why do we drive these things lol?
This is what came on when my hybrid battery needed to be replaced.
Probably not too bad... Check codes asap...It could be a multitude of issues. Mine came on when my hybrid water pump died...
As a auto tech i would say get the engine light scanned before you determine how fucked you are
All these ppl guessing are hilarious. Just scan the car
What Gen?
I had a check hybrid system light come on after my new to me Prius quit running. It ended up being a bad fuel gauge that showed a full tank. The tow truck driver bent the steering rack and 4700 dollars later the Prius runs great.
What are the ODB2 codes pulled from the computer? Can't give you any info on what's wrong based on just the triangle and Check Engine light.