Check Engine Light -- 2001 Prius

[gippah]

I thought about that, however since a new CC would go for $1700+ tax just for the part, one has to figure that a salvaged one would go for $600-$1000 (unless I have a friend who can hook me up, which I don't). That's still too much .... and of course who knows how long a salvaged part is going to last.

[phantomracer]

I get a similar code on my chevy truck (obd1 though, but similar). Ended up being a bad o2 sensor.

I think i would try to replace the 02 sensors before dropping in a new cat! how is the air filter and MAF?

If it is the cat..find out WHAT caused it to fail,otherwise the new one will fail too most likely.

[galaxee]

if you read what i quoted, you basically repeated it in your reply.

the repair manual indicates to check for exhaust leaks, harness opens or shorts, and to check output of both o2 sensors before diagnosing cat as problem.

if you don't believe your mechanic went through the confirmation and secondary diagnostic steps, take it elsewhere before proceeding with that kind of expensive repair. if the cat isn't the problem, you're wasting your money even with a universal.

DH never had an issue talking to his customers, especially prius owners. they would ask to talk to him when the writer was standing there looking clueless, again it's an individual thing. other techs may not be so inclined to spend time they could be using to make money to talk to a customer for free. the dealership where you are sounds pretty crappy.

[FL_Prius_Driver]

There is a cost of taking it to a dealer and getting a diagnosis. There is also a cost (and time) of just getting a new O2 sensor and putting it in yourself. I would just do the later because you will never be sure or happy unless you did it anyway. Just knowing that the big buck were required is worth the cost of an O2 sensor to me.

[gippah]

From what I gather, this is what we're looking at that can trigger this code:

- Leaks
- Physical Damage
- Bad Sensors
- The CC actually being bad

The Toyota dealership did their diagnosis but didn't explain to me what they checked, so I'm suspicious that they just looked at the error code. However, they want to replace two gaskets along with the CC, so if they did actually troubleshoot beyond the computer code it may be physically damaged or they found a leak. I will talk to them again tomorrow and hopefully get some better answers now that I will have better questions.

For future reference, it does appear that a universal CC will probably work on the Prius. If I go that route I will post the results, though, to be sure.

[Frank Hudon]

the cat on the Classic isn't a normal cat it's has and external HC absorber on it and a control valve in the front inlet of the cat that is controlled by a TVS that closes the valve when it's below the temp threshold and opens it above that temp. This forces the exhaust gas thru the absorber and into the cat thereby not overloading it when cold. When the valve opens the heat of the cat expels the HC from the absorber and forces it into the now up to temp cat where it's treated. These are no 200$ universal cats. If your in a state that has emmission testing they will in all likelyhood catch the output on the test or on the visual if your tester is up to date on the Classic Prius exhaust system.

[gippah]

The HC absorber is a separate piece, from what I have been told. This is used to store vapors until the CC has warmed up and is only used for a couple of minutes after the car is started.

Even if the HC is bypassed altogether by a universal CC, at worst the Prius will be acting like a normal car as far as emissions goes.

[Frank Hudon]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(gippah @ Oct 4 2007, 09:31 PM) [snapback]521572[/snapback]</div>

The HC absorber is a separate piece, from what I have been told. This is used to store vapors until the CC has warmed up and is only used for a couple of minutes after the car is started.

Even if the HC is bypassed altogether by a universal CC, at worst the Prius will be acting like a normal car as far as emissions goes.
[/b]

climb under and have a look, the valve is integeral with the cat. The Classic cat is very small for even a sub compact and the computer is programed to provide a rich mixture to help warm it, a function of the retarded cam timing. Also the problem could be in the TVS or the actuator or the actual valve seized in the closed position.

[gippah]

Hm. It's too bad I can't get you to look at it. I'm not having much confidence in what I've seen so far with this issue locally.

[FL_Prius_Driver]

Check out part 3

http://techno-fandom.org/~hobbit/cars/training/

You can see a picture of the cat and absorber.