2006 Malfunction Indicator Lamp (Check Engine Light)

[cbs4]

On our 2006 Toyota Prius, the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) is on solid, also known as the check engine light. The car is only 1 year, 2 months old, and "only" has 46,000 miles.

I'm headed to AutoZone after I type this to try and get a read out on what I assume to be an emissions related code, but in the meantime I'm wondering if this is a common occurance among the Prius Chat user base (like HID headlights going out on the blink, literally).

A search found a 2004 Prius owner with a MIL solidly on, and as the story unfolds, he was given an intriguing run around by the dealer, who first told him that it was the fuel filler pipe assembly part that needed to be replaced to the customer pay tune of $850.00.

After he checked online here, as well as his Federal emissions warranty booklet, it turns out that the part in question may have been covered under the extended statutory emissions warranty.

Once he presented this information to the dealership, the dealership immediately changed it's tune and said the problem was the intank fuel pump that needed to be replaced, which is specifically excluded from the emissions warranty.

This kind of run around is just what I fear, and if possible, I could use some links to threads I may have missed where other 2004-2007 owners may have experienced a MIL, and what the root cause may have been, so I can narrow down the possibilities to the most likely cause.

Thanks in advance.

[ScottY]

Without the DTC code, there's no way to guess. Come back with the code, many members on PC can help.

[Tempus]

First check that the Gas Cap is on tight.

[galaxee]

MIL= big red triangle. CEL= check engine light. however, you're right, many CELs are caused by emissions related stuff. the guy at auto zone may or may not get a code with his tool, many of the proprietary hybrid codes are not accessible w/o toyota's scantool.

it could be caused by a ton of different things. i wouldn't take someone else's experience and immediately assume it is also going to be what you experience. there are a whole lotta codes that trigger that light.

[cbs4]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tempus @ Mar 6 2007, 07:07 PM) [snapback]401366[/snapback]</div>

First check that the Gas Cap is on tight.
[/b]

That was the first thing my wife checked. I probably would never have thought of it, but she drives the car, saw the light, read the manual, and checked the cap. It was on. She reported she was able to click it again, but I pointed out that one can click it continually clockwise without further tightening it, so with that we assume the issue is not the gas cap.

Since the light appeared, she has had about a dozen drive cycles, with the light remaining on. We are concerned about continuing to 40 drive cycles before having it looked at, but we are equally concerned about the integrity and practices of local dealers.

[jimmyrose]

No way of knowing without having the codes read. I had this light (MIL) go on within a couple of days of picking the car up new from the dealership (@ 133 miles to be exact). It turned out to be a water bypass valve that was sticking (part of the engine cooling system). They replaced it, obviously at no charge, and that was the end of it. I would not recommend continuing to drive it; when they pull the codes, they will also be able to tell WHEN it went on, and your delay in addressing it might give them an "out"...

Just a suggestion, you may want to poll the forum for trustworthy dealerships in your area.

[john1701a]

I've had mine come on twice. Both were easily traced back to a specific gas station... way too much of a coincidence for me to dismiss. Sadly though, I haven't used the experience as an excuse to purchase a ScanGauge. So I don't know what the code(s) were.

All has been fine since then, perhaps because I've avoided that gas station.

BTW: The second occurence I noted that the engine-light shut off upon immediately after the 4th restart. I assumed that's the normal "you've been notified of that event, so no need to show it anymore" interval.

[cbs4]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(galaxee @ Mar 6 2007, 07:39 PM) [snapback]401380[/snapback]</div>

MIL= big red triangle. CEL= check engine light.[/b]

As always, Galaxee, your input is greatly appreciated and highly valued.

Not that it really matters that much, since it seems clear enough what light I'm talking about, and not that describing the light correctly will fix the problem, and not to distract from the main quest of this thread, but in order to best help Prius chatters help me, I did try to use the correct terminology from the start, figuring that this will also create value to the forum for others as a usable key word in a future search.

Perhaps Toyota has changed the names of what the different problem indication lights are, but on page 128 of our 2006 Prius Owner's Manual*, the amber warning light fashioned in the shape of an engine is very clearly identified and described as the "Malfunction Indicator Lamp."

I've also noticed that the MIL designation for the "check engine light" is consistent with the descriptions found in the pollution control laws of our state, as well as federal OBD-II regs.

The big red triangle with an exclamation point inside that is unique to the Prius in our small fleet is also discussed on page 129 of the same 2006 manual, and is clearly identified and described as the "Master Warning Light." No reference is made of the Master Warning Light in any emissions control information I've read thus far, and in our specific case, the red triangle Master Warning Light has not illuminated recently.

The red triangle did light up over a year ago, however, during the one and only time she ran out of gas in the first week of ownership. The tank has never gone below half without a refill since that time. The tank was greater than half when the amber check engine (what Toyota calls MIL in the manual) lamp went on.

*Reference: Toyota Publication OM47520U, Part No. 01999-47520, Printed in Japan 01-0511-00


<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(galaxee @ Mar 6 2007, 07:39 PM) [snapback]401380[/snapback]</div>

...however, you're right, many CELs are caused by emissions related stuff. the guy at auto zone may or may not get a code with his tool, many of the proprietary hybrid codes are not accessible w/o toyota's scantool.[/b]

Using the AutoZone scan tool this evening, I found one code: P0304, Cylinder #4 Misfire detected.

Now what should I do?

[cbs4]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ZenCruiser @ Mar 6 2007, 09:12 PM) [snapback]401448[/snapback]</div>

No way of knowing without having the codes read. I would not recommend continuing to drive it; when they pull the codes, they will also be able to tell WHEN it went on, and your delay in addressing it might give them an "out"...[/b]

Code P0304, Cylinder #4 Misfire Detected

Good point about continuing to drive it. By drive cycles I meant starts and stops with a bit of driving inbetween. She noticed the light in the middle of the day, but had to continue on with her day in order to get home, making a number of stops along the way. We counted the total number of stops and restarts (with about 10 miles of driving between most of the restarts) as a "drive cycle".

After arriving home, she discontinued using the car until I find out more information before we take it in, or before we determine the code is anomalous and clear it with the scan tool and carry on.

We don't want to give the dealer any "outs", nor do we wish to make a small problem worse. We also don't want to get taken for a ride down ignorance lane without first exploring the experiences of others in similar predicaments.

[galaxee]

hmm, i've always heard of the mil referred to as the triangle. but hey. like you said, not important in the big picture :P

anyway, glad to hear the auto zone guy was able to pull a code for you. that definitely helps in the advice department- i can get DH's opinion on what to do next. does the car run ok? no stumbling or anything?