05 Prius died, later restarted, check engine light

[Jeri]

I had the oil and air filter changed this morning by the same garage I always use. Drove the 2 miles home and parked the car for several hours. I drove another two miles, no problems. Another couple of hours later, I headed out of town and the dreaded check engine light came on about a 1/2 mile from home. I turned around and headed home but didn't quite make it. It died just before I got there. I tried restarting several times and it would act like it wanted to do something, engine sounds but it couldn't go anywhere. Again I shut it off, sat for five minutes. I then realilzed the lights were still in the engaged position from eariler that morning. I turned them off and holding my breath, tried staring the PRI again. It started and I made it home!!! Still the check engine light is on. I checked the oil level and it seems fine. I don't know where the air filter is as I couldn't find it in the one manual I have. Is there anything I can check before calling Toyota or the garage on MOnday? Where do I find the air filter?

[ScottY]

If you look under the hood, the air filter is inside the black square box to the left side. It's held with couple of clips on the side. You can open it without any tools. I'm not sure if the air filter is the issue here.

Better yet, you can go to Autozone or any of those stores, they can pull the codes for you. Many here can interpret the codes. Good luck!

[PriusLove]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Jeri @ Apr 27 2007, 06:46 PM) [snapback]431408[/snapback]</div>

I had the oil and air filter changed this morning by the same garage I always use. Drove the 2 miles home and parked the car for several hours. I drove another two miles, no problems. Another couple of hours later, I headed out of town and the dreaded check engine light came on about a 1/2 mile from home. I turned around and headed home but didn't quite make it. It died just before I got there. I tried restarting several times and it would act like it wanted to do something, engine sounds but it couldn't go anywhere. Again I shut it off, sat for five minutes. I then realilzed the lights were still in the engaged position from eariler that morning. I turned them off and holding my breath, tried staring the PRI again. It started and I made it home!!! Still the check engine light is on. I checked the oil level and it seems fine. I don't know where the air filter is as I couldn't find it in the one manual I have. Is there anything I can check before calling Toyota or the garage on MOnday? Where do I find the air filter?
[/b]

I am not a techie (nor do I play one on tv) BUT mechs sometimes do work with doors open and radio on. If your 12v battery was being drained your hybrid batteries would be trying to charge it as well as drive the engine/ Since the lightw were on, and you turned them off and started the car afterward, that may be the problem.

The check engine light, though scary, usually relates to the emission system and emission system sensors. I've even had mechanics say "hell, just drive it until you can get it fixed". The first thing to check is that the fuel cap was tightened down when it was put on last. I have had that oversight cause the check engine light to go on in other cars.

In the meantime, be happy you aren't seeing this this light (!) that's the really scary one!

[galaxee]

headlights shouldn't make this an issue, they turn themselves off automatically if they were switched on when you turn the car off, and leave through the driver's door. i haven't used my headlight switch in months. DH hasn't used his in years (his camry has the same feature.)

head over to an auto zone or the like and see if you can't get the code. till then there isn't much that anyone can say.

[Bear68]

What is the production date for your Prius? You can find it on the sticker on the left front door jamb. If it before 3/05 (I think that was the cutoff date but don't hold me to it) Have a dealer run the VIN for SSC's (Special Service Campaigns) You might qualify for the 50P campaign. It was designed to address exactly the situation you are describing. There is no charge to check SSC's and no charge to perform any that are outstanding.
BTW 50P involves reprogramming both the engine and HV ECU's and in some cases adding dielectric grease to a connector on the transaxle.

[Jeri]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Bear68 @ Apr 28 2007, 09:29 AM) [snapback]431649[/snapback]</div>

What is the production date for your Prius? You can find it on the sticker on the left front door jamb. If it before 3/05 (I think that was the cutoff date but don't hold me to it) Have a dealer run the VIN for SSC's (Special Service Campaigns) You might qualify for the 50P campaign. It was designed to address exactly the situation you are describing. There is no charge to check SSC's and no charge to perform any that are outstanding.
BTW 50P involves reprogramming both the engine and HV ECU's and in some cases adding dielectric grease to a connector on the transaxle.
[/b]

IF ONLY we had an Autozone. Much as I hate calling the dealership, I'll do that on Monday. Calling them is like scheduling a root canal! The car was manufactured in 1/05 so I may fall under that SSC.