Warning light 2009 Prius - Toyota dealer unable to diagnose!

digitaldr

My father-in-law has a 2009 Prius - a few weeks ago a red triangular warning light with an exclamation mark in the middle came on, car was running fine before and since. He had it with a Toyota dealer for over 2 weeks and they haven't been able to diagnose the problem (although they did say the hybrid battery was ok) which they blame on it being a Japanese import. He originally imported it form the UK and it was news to him that it was originally a Jap import.

Just wondering what his options are now??

Atlantic Dawn

You would think a fault code would be generated that they could diagnose it from. Perhaps try another Toyota dealer?

If it's a Japanese import it will say so in the logbook as the original country of registration.

digitaldr

Thanks I'll ask him to check the log book. I've done a bit more Googling and coby autos claim to be able to do diagnostics on Japanese imports. Don't know anything about them though

DIAGNOSTICS ON IMPORTS

There are many main dealers that experience problems plugging into Japanese cars. At Coby Auto's we have the Japanese modules for all our diagnostic equipment. We also have 25 plus years experience working on imported cars, going back to the original grey imports.

mgbgt1978

Is the Odometer/Trip displayed in miles or kilometers ?
Miles would mean it's a UK model, KM's would indicate it may be a Jap model.
Some UK Importers/Dealers use dodgy software to reconfigure the MFD (main display) and Radio to show English, rather than Japanese.
This can sometimes lead to an MFD Fault, which may not show a Code.

I would be inclined to ask around your own area in case there is a Prius specialist nearby.....should be cheaper than a Main Dealer.

Soarer

That red triangle could mean many things.
Low oil.
Low brake fluid.
Low 12V battery.

Check all the above. You can google how to test the 12V.

mgbgt1978

priuschat.com is probably the best Forum out there for the Prius.
It's American, so be careful with "Driver's Side", etc.

digitaldr

Thanks for all the advice - will run it by the father in law later.

n97 mini

The older non OBD Japanese cars can be made blink the trouble code via the check engine light by jumpering two pins on the diagnostic port connector. It's been a long time since I've done it so you'll need do use Google

zilog_jones

I suspect a 2009 JDM Prius is still ODB-II compliant, unless someone can confirm otherwise.

Soarer wrote: »

Low 12V battery.

I'm betting on this, it seems to be the most common cause of warning lights and general weirdness. I've also heard cases of dealers failing to diagnose the problem before (with cars they sold too).

Please note it should be replaced with an AGM (Absorbent glass mat) battery, which unfortunately aren't the cheapest. This is for safety reasons - as the battery is essentially in the cabin (in the boot), you don't want the risk of acid spilling inside the cabin in case of an accident (which is what a traditional "flooded" lead acid battery may do).

mgbgt1978

It 'should be' replaced with an AGM, but usually isn't.
There are plenty of Cars with a lead acid Battery within the Cabin confines.
BMW E61 (in the Boot), Citroen Picasso (under the Passenger seat) are two that I have had. Most Lead Acid Batteries are Sealed Units nowadays

OP if it does turn out to be the 12v Battery at fault you might as well give the Cooling Fan for the Hybrid Battery a clean while you're 'in the area'.

zilog_jones

mgbgt1978 wrote: »

Most Lead Acid Batteries are Sealed Units nowadays

Yes, but they're still at risk of spilling if the battery housing is damaged in a collision. With AGM batteries, there is nothing to leak. AGM batteries also should be lighter and more durable, although they generally don't seem to last very long in the Prius (maybe because it's a fairly small battery rather than anything else).