Toyota Prius Red Triange of Death Water Pump Battery Error Code P261B
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- Опубліковано 21 жов 2024
- How to clear the "Red Triangle of Death" and replace you "Water Pump." One video that shows you how to do both. This video will save you hours research. Quick ~five minute video to get you back on the road conducting business and having fun!
I just got my 2009 Prius repaired last Sunday when the red light of death occurred on my dash! I never experienced this before and I had just put in a new 12v battery replacement. The AC went out along with the cruise control. I drove to a Toyota dealership that I passed earlier in the day which was the closest. The sales department was open but not service. Turns out the only Toyota dealership open was two counties south of where I was but I called them and they gave me an appointment and I drove there as quickly as I could. They did an analysis and came back and said I had a bad Hybrid Water Pump. The service advisor told me it would cost me $682 to fix it right now. Considering I knew nothing about how to replace this part I said fix it. I have to tell you that when I got the bill at the end and saw $420.77 for labor, which took about 2 hours, I have to tell you that motivates me even more to invest into a good scan tool and to learn more about fixing this Prius myself! I already purchased spark plugs for around $12 and bought two torque wrenches so I can replace them myself when I get to around 150,000 miles or sooner if needed instead of paying $150. I also just purchased a small tool kit to put in my car along with a floating charger for the 12v battery just before this happened. I am learning the hard way to take care of my own car and not waste money at the dealership! They have a nice new building that probably cost them millions of dollars to build and I don't want to get gouged so they can pay for it! These labor rates should be illegal!
The easiest way by far to replace the pump is to pull the bumper off and slide out the left headlight. Just a couple screws and snaps. With those out of the way the pump is right in front of you and effortlessly accessible. Take two clamps and squeeze the hoses tight. Remove the screws and pull the pump off the vehicle. Remove the pump clamps. Pull the pump off the hoses. Take the new pump and reverse the process. Takes about half an hour. Once back together check for leaks and burp the system at the relief valves. You should see a little wave in the reservoir next to the big inverter box.
Another hint is that the pump runs even when you're not in drive mode. Push the ON button twice without putting your foot on the brake. This will turn on most of the car systems except for engine and drive mode and the engine bay will stay very quiet. The inverter pump will be running and it's easy to tell, if you put your hand on the pump it will be humming and you will see the fluid being returned to the reservoir if you open the top cap. You can probably even hear it humming. If it's not humming then the pump is bad.
I called Toyota this morning and they wanted to charge me $492 for labor to change the pump. I was told that it would take about four hours to complete. Really? I pulled my car into the garage and was able to get to my inverter pump in about 30 minutes. I’m going to pick up the part tomorrow and put it in. And they said four hours of labor. They are crooks pure and simple!
They dont call them stealerships for nothing:)
An hour is what it takes me most mechanics 30 min. In the book its 1.5 hours of work
Clyde Smith how did burping the system go?
the Black wire is positive , white and black wire is negative. Just a tip when testing. He was mistaken about that. You will short pump immediately if you mix that up. Also something that nobody seems to metion is that the AC stops working when the temp of the inverter gets high.
When you have the red triangle of death and a whole bunch of yellow lights lighting up in sequence it usually means her inverter cooling pump is shot. Most mechanics will do it for 350 to 400 my mechanic does it for 250. If you’re in Los Angeles look up Prius express all he does is fix Prius cars. Guarantees his work and his fast
Your mech is a thief, pure and simple. This is a 30 min job max. Most any decent OBD2 scan tool will tell you what you need to know about a code. Go buy one online. Cost you maybe $100 for a cheap scanner. Most repair shops have a rate of 150/hr. So the most you should be charged for a Inverter pump is maybe $100.
What a weird thing to say. In my post I said my mechanic will do the job for $250 that includes parts and labor.. I didn't even specify which Prius.the first generation Prius is harder to do than a second generation Prius . My mechanic did indeed do the job in about a half an hour but it would have taken me quite a bit longer and who knows if it would have been right. My mechanic has all the necessary gaskets and parts and ability and know how so I don't have to stress about it. Any work he does he gives me a one-year guarantee on the parts. I'm always happy to give him the money. And I have had much more expensive mechanics especially having the Toyota dealer do it which is crazy.
@@asyouwish9567 I am happy that you are happy with spending your money. However what I was getting at is for all the rest of us with no money to blow, paying a mechanic 250 for a job that can easily be done in a driveway for less than $100 is far more economical, and sensible. There are no gaskets or special tools required for this tiny pump job. This video here proves it can be done easily, in a few minutes, even when running a camera with commentary at the same time! LoL If your guy took 30 minutes he was wasting a whole lot of time on something else!
I agree the Gen1 Prius is SLIGHTLY more difficult to change the inverter pump (aka take off the headlight first). I also agree that anyone who goes to a Toyota dealer for anything is insane. Dealers were not nicknamed Stealers for no reason, even with coupons! LoL
The intent was clearly good, but there is still misinformation in this compilation:
1) P261B isn't a valid code for the 04-09 Prius.
2) P0A93 is the code for this issue.
3) issue on 04-09 Prius - same replacement pump P/N for all model years. Redesigned in 2007 to address shorting issue that actually disabled your car by blowing the AM2 fuse - dash, everything goes completely dead, and you have to pull over. Still happens occasionally on the new pump. All cars were recalled for the new style. Later 07 and all 08, 09 had the new P/N installed from the factory.
4) When resetting codes, you can 1) wait for 2-3 complete drive cycles and they will turn off, or 2) disconnect ONLY the single large connector on top of the battery (+).
This a design flaw. Pump runs balls-out all the time whether the inverter needs cooling or not. As a result, they just wear out. Expect to go through one every 70-80K miles. If you buy the cheap parts-store Chinese garbage, you'll be lucky to get a couple years out of them. It's worth the extra $ to get a Toyota pump, and no, the "genuine" pumps on Amazon for $90 aren't "genuine" unless you trace the seller back to a dealership's online business unit. Discounted SHOP cost for a pump is over $100.
my dealer wanted $175. got one Lexus(Toyota) online for $80 shipped. replaced valve and pump at the same time, 134k.
Just replace the pulley rotor inside pump that's it! $27
I just replaced my inverter pump on my 2008 Toyota Prius with about 154,000 miles. I went through the bumper cover & headlight method. Pretty easy and much less than $750 my dealership wanted including flushing and replenishing the coolant! In my opinion, it made sense to completely drain and replenish the coolant at the same time.
Love my Prius, UA-cam and Amazon make driving and owning my Prius even more affordable!
Hi there! I'm needing to replace my inverter pump on my 2008 Toyota Prius as well. Could you recommend where to buy the water pump? I'm looking on Amazon, but I want to make sure I purchase one that will work well. Thanks for any help
@@vicriosrn I bought the Orion Motor Tech G9020-47031 Engine Coolant Inverter Electric Water Pump Assembly with Bracket for 2004-2009 Toyota Prius Hybrid 1.5L, Replaces G9020-47031 and 04000-32528
by Orion Motor Tech on Amazon
@@JeffErdmann Thanks so much!
I had bought my Prius new in 2008 and about 6 months later I received a recall letter from Toyato to come in to have my water pump replaced under warranty. I was wondering if having that done corrected any manufacturing defects and get more mileage before the pump needs to be replaced ?
Also you mentioned you had to use a “ potato “ ? To hold I guess you meant the pump hose on are you serious ? LOL I would like to know more about that ?
I did enjoy your video it was well done 👍
Thank You for making it.
Thanks for compiling the wisdom from multiple videos.
This helps dude. 🤙
This pump was recalled by Toyota.. I owned a 2007 Prius and had the dealer replace mine at no cost. Check ino this before spending your own funds to replace it.
Timothy Jurgensen i had mine replaced under recall as well several years ago
Now a 2007 Prius is no longer under recall. You have to pay for the repair!
Do you still have the porius. How many miles did it have or does it have
Best to remove the bumper than the driver side headlight. This totally helped me to replace the pump. I also used an OBD Reader and erased the Red Triangle of Death.
Thanks, using the 12v battery to test a pump helped me.
had one replaced this morning @ dealership. I was on the road and I am not a Mechanic. They treated me fine and I was glad to give them my business, went out to breakfast returned and the car was ready to drive off. 2 hrs Cox Toyota off I 40 near Greensboro N.C.
And how much was the final bill?
@@glasshalffull8625 Probably about $400. A bargain for a non-mech owner! But this included a half assed car wash too! LoL
This may sound funny but I carry a extra pump in my trunk as well as some tools and vice grips to use as clamps on the hose so less spilling. I have a 2006 Prius with 243k miles. I have been thru 4 pumps so far. Just carry an extra pump with you as well as fuses as they will often short out the fuse when the pump fails and your car will not function at all if that tiny fuse blows.
That is funny. Carry a spare serpentine belt and some coolant too? But seriously these cars are so reliable that extra parts is not all that necessary in my experience with Prius'.
Just buy one on Amazon for about $80.00. Pull off the bumper on the right side and it's open for business. Simple. Don't go to dealer!
Any suggestions on how to read the OBD codes? I have a MAC Tools OBD 2 reader and it doesn’t work. I have the red triangle and a couple of other lights. My pump was replaced about a year after I got it (it’s a 2006 and the pump was replaced in 2010).
I can’t seem to find any info about what to get to read the codes other than something that needs a laptop and software. I’ve seen apps for Android phones but I have an iPhone. Any help would be appreciated.
Thank you for ALL your Valuable Help!! YOUR AWESOME!!
Does the car give the specific code number or did you need to plug in a code reader to get it?
Thanks for the battery tip!!
Thanks for the helpful video. The warning lights will go away on their own after awhile on their own. Mine did. An easier way to do what you did to reset it though would be to just remove the positive post.
You should disconnect the negative instead.
I only disconnect the one large white connector to clear codes. I find that just under 1 minute is more than sufficient. This leads to the AC being set to 75 degrees the clock reset to 12:00 and reverses any tweaks to seat belt warnings and the back up beep ( which is only for the driver- but is more distracting then helpful unless you didn't mean to be in reverse). My 2007 does not have the third connector to the left of the battery. Disconnecting the posts is much more problematic than simply unclipping the modular plug.
I have been clearing my codes daily with a bluetooth OBD device but have found that some problems with brakes and stalling that seemed caused by the inverter coolant pump failure recurred quickly if I didn't also disconnect the battery.
I replaced the instrument cluster earlier this year to good effect on many spurious codes, just in time for the coolant pump problem shortly after a 2500 mile cross country trip.
It takes me literally 7 minutes or less to replace it lol. I've replaced it 4x so far because the $30 eBay part breaks easily
earlier comment was correct. Just disconnect the neg terminal to clear codes. Also some readers have an erase function.
Wow very good l like it thanks for your Time 👍🏻
Thank you so much boss, you are absolutely a huge help!!!!!
If you have old Prius get a code reader! To read the codes sure but also clear them. They are very reasonable price these days. The people who say this takes 7 minutes (bs) or half an hour or something it probably means they've been buying the cheap ones on Amazon or ebay which only lasts about a year or so and they get very fast at changing out pumps. On my '08 I replaced it with a cheap part on Amazon and it lasted two years. This time I went to the dealer and got an OEM part $180. If this pump goes out you will fry your inverter and it can disable your entire car. Do you really want to put a $30 part there?
Thank you so much it is a big help.😍😍😍😍
Toyota dealer I went to wanted 720$(part and labor) to replace the inverter pump. I paid the fee for them to diagnose the problem and had it towed home. Got the actual Toyota inverter pump for 50$ cheaper on line and replaced it myself in less than an hour.....
Hi! I have the same problem with my Prius 2014. Fault code P261B. My car have done so far 210.000 miles. I change the water pump brand new and The thermostat but stil have The same problem. I don’t understand why? Something solution for expert will be great. Thanks!!!
Thank you for this video, good work!
1:19 genius idea!
Good video! I have a 2008 Prius. Installed an inverter pump OEM. Bled system, but not getting turbulence in reservoir. Any help would greatly be appreciated! Thanks!
did you check the replacement like he said in the video by using a 9v battery. I am in the process of replacing mine and read so many reviews on amazon of getting lemons that im going to bite the bullet and buy from the dealer.
@@alvareza3 I just went with the dealer part and fluid. It is running good.
@Ganimo ganiman I think it was like 160. I forgot
How many mile we should change it?
Do you still have your Prius?
Dude thank you for being so cool
New subscriber. Salute!
Much Appreciated!
awesome dude, can you tell me what that little hose thats by that battery does
Mireya Kuritz battery vent
Did you use obd11 to read the code???
THANK YOU!!!
Thanks for video thumbs up thank you
If thats the water pump, where is the coolant control valve
I have a stubborn check engine light that doesn't want to clear
Are there any other lights coming on with it? Or is there a message being displayed on the information center console?
@@jefflueth6126 P0420
Well must tell you that have done your steps, after putting thing together, took a drive in the car with the A/C on car drove great for about 30 ,minutes or 20 miles and bang, the VSC, check engine, the red triangle all came on GRRRRR!
Crap once I got back home did this all over again, this time unplugged the axillary batter plus found the small hose was not attached to the battery so I fixed that, put everything back drove it about 10 miles around town, so far so good, but tomorrow will be the true test. I will let you know it this really works,
Mireya Kuritz update?
Did it work
Many things could have caused his problem, including HV pack fail to loose wires. Or maybe he let too much air get into the coolant system. Hard to tell what exactly went wrong. I have known some people just junk the car after trying to fix something beyond their skill level. I find lots of great cars that way! LoL
you can also just disconnect the neg lead which is attached to the body for 5 min and then screw the neg back to the body
Thanks very much
Couldn’t you just disconnect the neg cable from the battery vs removing the 3 plug connectors?
Yes
Love it thank you
Buy a $50 scanner and clear code. Disconnecting battery means a relearning cycle for ECU and resetting all your radio stations.
This repair is super easy when you remove driver headlamp.
What u mean?
@@mikejayz665 when you take out the diver side headlamp and all screws, hoses, and pump are easy to reach. It took me 20 minutes to do this repair.
Your the man
Thank you
Dorman is the updated one to buy
Generation II Prius is 2004-2009........
hey body your title should be inverter water pump dont confuse it with engine water pump
Does a bad one effect the mpg?
Your inverter will overheat over time and will probably need replacing.
Probably yes. The computer is smart enough to tell when it needs to limit power to the elec drive parts since the Inverter is getting hot due the the pump failing. When that happens the ICE is going to use more gas to do the same trip.
Inverter water pump. Easier to remove the bumper.
2004-2009 is Gen 2.
That’s the inverter pump
The biggest problem with car mechanics is it's just a job, they don't give two shirts about your car only getting your cash for their boss.
The trade needs people with a certain amount of fault finding intelligence the trouble is they don't pay enough, so you don't get those people doing that type of job.
Even worse in the tyre alignment industry they are even thicker and more dishonest.
Totally true!
Lol, sadly true
No so clear the video
The wind noise blocks out your speech at times , maybe try making your same video again as it seems like it could be good informative instructions without the wind !
DONT USE A POTATO 🛑👎