Check Engine Light

maknowlton · 11-27-2006, 11:17 AM

When I started my 06 Prius this morning (it has ~7500 miles) it turned on fine, but when the ICE kicked in, there was a very noticable shudder for a few seconds that's never happened before, and as I drove up my driveway, I saw that the check engine light was on. And the engine felt as though it were running rough. (I decided it was smarter not to drive it to work, so I took our spare van.)

Does this sound familiar to anyone? What's going on with my car?

I'm going to take a look at it tonight, and call the dealer in the morning, but wanted to sound y'all out about what it might be, first. Any ideas?

eagle33199 · 11-27-2006, 11:27 AM

There are a large number of things that could be wrong, from a computer problem to a misfiring on a cylinder due to a clogged spark plug. I doubt there's really any advice we can give you here other than take it to the dealer and let them figure it out.

Of course, when you do take it in, make sure to ask them for the error codes the car gives them - There are a few people on here who will take the time to explain exactly what the code means and what could have caused it.

maknowlton · 11-27-2006, 11:43 AM

Thanks... I knew I wasn't likely to get an exact diagnosis, but I figured I'd see if the shudder sounded familiar to anybody. And thanks for reminding me to ask for the codes (I probably would have only remembered after leaving the dealer...).

*crossing my fingers that it's nothing too bad*

**TonyPSchaefer** · 11-27-2006, 01:18 PM

Mary Anna, we should try to eliminate a few things before you spend the money and time of taking it in for a look-over.

What was the outside air temperature this morning when this happened?
When was the last time your oil was changed?

galaxee · 11-27-2006, 02:00 PM

unfortunately without seeing the car there's not much anyone can tell you. this isn't one of the (very few) cut-and-dried conditions with a known fix.

relay the info you get from your dealer and we'll offer any advice we can. since you're within warranty you don't have to worry about getting taken for a ride, but you may encounter a clueless dealer, they're not all that uncommon.

maknowlton · 11-27-2006, 02:07 PM

Tony... it was about 40 degrees out this morning (overnight low of 38), and the last oil change was at 5000 miles, had it done the 3rd week of September.

I'll let you all know what the dealer says... hoping they're not clueless (they were good with my old Corolla, but don't know how they are with the Prius).

Thanks!

Sufferin' Prius Envy · 11-27-2006, 02:41 PM

Mary Anna,
What PriusChatters have hinted at so far is:

1) The check engine light will come on to remind you to change the oil. That was why the “When was the last time your oil was changed?” question. - Did the light come on and stay on? Did it blink and go out? Did it blink and go out over the past few days and now it is on steady? The check engine light will blink and go out to remind you that an oil change is coming due. Later it will stay on . . . basically saying, “change my oil now.”

2) With the heater on . . . and possibly in defrost mode, a newer Prius, in the hands of a newer Prius driver, can feel like it is running rough. That is why the, “What was the outside air temperature this morning when this happened?” This is especially true with a low mileage Prius (which you have). The gas engine will sometimes feel like it is bouncing the car around when it automatically starts and shuts off. This mellows out after the car is broken in . . . and the driver is desensitized.

3) We can not definitively rule out mechanical problems. Since it has been about 5,000 miles since your last oil change, and IF the car is shaking only when the gas engine is automatically starting and stopping, I WOULDN'T WORRY TOO MUCH.

Get your oil changed at the dealer ASAP and tell them what you felt. My guess is that they will tell you what you felt is normal. The addition of the check engine light to the shaking is helping to unnecessarily freak you out.

eagle33199 · 11-27-2006, 02:49 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Sufferin' Prius Envy @ Nov 27 2006, 01:41 PM) [snapback]354506[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Mary Anna,
What PriusChatters have hinted at so far is:

1) The check engine light will come on to remind you to change the oil. That was why the “When was the last time your oil was changed?” question. - Did the light come on and stay on? Did it blink and go out? Did it blink and go out over the past few days and now it is on steady? The check engine light will blink and go out to remind you that an oil change is coming due. Later it will stay on . . . basically saying, “change my oil now.”

2) With the heater on . . . and possibly in defrost mode, a newer Prius, in the hands of a newer Prius driver, can feel like it is running rough. That is why the, “What was the outside air temperature this morning when this happened?” This is especially true with a low mileage Prius (which you have). The gas engine will sometimes feel like it is bouncing the car around when it automatically starts and shuts off. This mellows out after the car is broken in . . . and the driver is desensitized.

3) We can not definitively rule out mechanical problems. Since it has been about 5,000 miles since your last oil change, and IF the car is shaking only when the gas engine is automatically starting and stopping, I WOULDN'T WORRY TOO MUCH.

Get your oil changed at the dealer ASAP and tell them what you felt. My guess is that they will tell you what you felt is normal. The addition of the check engine light to the shaking is helping to unnecessarily freak you out.

[/b]

Just a note... as she has stated, she currently has about 7500 miles, with the last oil change at 5000 miles, two months ago... 2500 miles and two months are way too soon for the CEL to come on for a simple oil change.

Also, at this point i'm sure she's used to the normal start and stop shudders... combine this abnormal feel to this one with the CEL would indicate that something is amiss.

If it was just a complaint about the car shuddering, then yeah, we'd probably all be here saying the same things you are (how cold is it, etc)... however the CEL, along with the stated oil change timing indicates that the problem is more serious than that - it could be misfiring cylinders, water in the gas, E85 fill up - regardless, Toyota needs to see it, and it is something that she should at least be slightly worried about - if the ICE suddenly dies on the highway, it could create a very dangerous situation. Not that i'm saying this is a likely hood, but i wouldn't want to rule anything out when people are speeding around me at 80mph.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Mary Anna @ Nov 27 2006, 10:17 AM) [snapback]354435[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

When I started my 06 Prius this morning (it has ~7500 miles) it turned on fine, but when the ICE kicked in, there was a very noticable shudder for a few seconds that's never happened before, and as I drove up my driveway, I saw that the check engine light was on. And the engine felt as though it were running rough. (I decided it was smarter not to drive it to work, so I took our spare van.)

Does this sound familiar to anyone? What's going on with my car?

I'm going to take a look at it tonight, and call the dealer in the morning, but wanted to sound y'all out about what it might be, first. Any ideas?
[/b]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Mary Anna @ Nov 27 2006, 01:07 PM) [snapback]354499[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Tony... it was about 40 degrees out this morning (overnight low of 38), and the last oil change was at 5000 miles, had it done the 3rd week of September.

I'll let you all know what the dealer says... hoping they're not clueless (they were good with my old Corolla, but don't know how they are with the Prius).

Thanks!
[/b]

maknowlton · 11-27-2006, 03:01 PM

Thanks eagle... saved me some typing there to point out the not-likeliness of a needed oil change.

I agree... I'm used to its normal start/stop shudders, and this was definitely different, and I am worried enough to bring it into the dealer. Don't think we have E85 around here, at least that I've seen, but could be any of the other things you mentioned. Or something really wacky. (but I hope not!)

(and isn't it the maintence req'd light that comes on for oil changes? This was a yellow one shaped like an engine...)

ceric · 11-27-2006, 03:03 PM

As said, CEL (check engine light) could mean a lot of things. Before taking it in to the dealer, you could check the following
- fuel cap (make sure it is tighten properly)
- open air filter box (make sure it is not clogged due to debris, etc)
- smell under the hood for fuel leak (don't drive if so)

Other than those, take it to dealers for them to pull the error codes.

11-27-2006, 11:17 AM	#1
maknowlton Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 44 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	When I started my 06 Prius this morning (it has ~7500 miles) it turned on fine, but when the ICE kicked in, there was a very noticable shudder for a few seconds that's never happened before, and as I drove up my driveway, I saw that the check engine light was on. And the engine felt as though it were running rough. (I decided it was smarter not to drive it to work, so I took our spare van.) Does this sound familiar to anyone? What's going on with my car? I'm going to take a look at it tonight, and call the dealer in the morning, but wanted to sound y'all out about what it might be, first. Any ideas? __________________

11-27-2006, 02:41 PM	#7
Sufferin' Prius Envy Platinum Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: USA Posts: 3,998 My Car: Other Non-Hybrid Model: Package: N/A Thanks: 0 Thanked 6 Times in 4 Posts Friends: 0	Mary Anna, What PriusChatters have hinted at so far is: 1) The check engine light will come on to remind you to change the oil. That was why the “When was the last time your oil was changed?” question. - Did the light come on and stay on? Did it blink and go out? Did it blink and go out over the past few days and now it is on steady? The check engine light will blink and go out to remind you that an oil change is coming due. Later it will stay on . . . basically saying, “change my oil now.” 2) With the heater on . . . and possibly in defrost mode, a newer Prius, in the hands of a newer Prius driver, can feel like it is running rough. That is why the, “What was the outside air temperature this morning when this happened?” This is especially true with a low mileage Prius (which you have). The gas engine will sometimes feel like it is bouncing the car around when it automatically starts and shuts off. This mellows out after the car is broken in . . . and the driver is desensitized. 3) We can not definitively rule out mechanical problems. Since it has been about 5,000 miles since your last oil change, and IF the car is shaking only when the gas engine is automatically starting and stopping, I WOULDN'T WORRY TOO MUCH. Get your oil changed at the dealer ASAP and tell them what you felt. My guess is that they will tell you what you felt is normal. The addition of the check engine light to the shaking is helping to unnecessarily freak you out. __________________ My words are my word. I refuse to actively participate in any forum where my written words can/are changed by the powers that be. If you don't like what I wrote, delete it – but don't put words in my mouth that aren't mine. Good-bye.

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11-27-2006, 11:27 AM	#2
eagle33199 Platinum Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Minnesota Posts: 5,120 My Car: 2006 Prius Model: Package: #7 Thanks: 53 Thanked 254 Times in 165 Posts Friends: 4	There are a large number of things that could be wrong, from a computer problem to a misfiring on a cylinder due to a clogged spark plug. I doubt there's really any advice we can give you here other than take it to the dealer and let them figure it out. Of course, when you do take it in, make sure to ask them for the error codes the car gives them - There are a few people on here who will take the time to explain exactly what the code means and what could have caused it.

11-27-2006, 11:43 AM	#3
maknowlton Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 44 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Thanks... I knew I wasn't likely to get an exact diagnosis, but I figured I'd see if the shudder sounded familiar to anybody. And thanks for reminding me to ask for the codes (I probably would have only remembered after leaving the dealer...). crossing my fingers that it's nothing too bad

11-27-2006, 01:18 PM	#4
TonyPSchaefer Your Friendly Moderator Join Date: May 2004 Location: Far-North Chicagoland Posts: 13,919 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: Package: #9 Thanks: 251 Thanked 1,217 Times in 625 Posts Friends: 33	Mary Anna, we should try to eliminate a few things before you spend the money and time of taking it in for a look-over. What was the outside air temperature this morning when this happened? When was the last time your oil was changed?

11-27-2006, 02:00 PM	#5
galaxee mostly benevolent Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: MD Posts: 9,810 My Car: 2005 Prius Model: N/A Package: #5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 331 Times in 85 Posts Friends: 27	unfortunately without seeing the car there's not much anyone can tell you. this isn't one of the (very few) cut-and-dried conditions with a known fix. relay the info you get from your dealer and we'll offer any advice we can. since you're within warranty you don't have to worry about getting taken for a ride, but you may encounter a clueless dealer, they're not all that uncommon.

11-27-2006, 02:07 PM	#6
maknowlton Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 44 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Tony... it was about 40 degrees out this morning (overnight low of 38), and the last oil change was at 5000 miles, had it done the 3rd week of September. I'll let you all know what the dealer says... hoping they're not clueless (they were good with my old Corolla, but don't know how they are with the Prius). Thanks!

11-27-2006, 03:01 PM	#9
maknowlton Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 44 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Thanks eagle... saved me some typing there to point out the not-likeliness of a needed oil change. I agree... I'm used to its normal start/stop shudders, and this was definitely different, and I am worried enough to bring it into the dealer. Don't think we have E85 around here, at least that I've seen, but could be any of the other things you mentioned. Or something really wacky. (but I hope not!) (and isn't it the maintence req'd light that comes on for oil changes? This was a yellow one shaped like an engine...)

11-27-2006, 03:03 PM	#10
ceric Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Fremont, CA Posts: 1,114 My Car: 2005 Prius Model: Package: #6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 52 Times in 22 Posts Friends: 1	As said, CEL (check engine light) could mean a lot of things. Before taking it in to the dealer, you could check the following - fuel cap (make sure it is tighten properly) - open air filter box (make sure it is not clogged due to debris, etc) - smell under the hood for fuel leak (don't drive if so) Other than those, take it to dealers for them to pull the error codes.