Cold Starts? MIL & CEL Lights...

czyfrme · 12-27-2007, 12:31 PM

I have a question/problem.

I've been experiencing this wonderful display of Malfunction Indicator Lights and Check Engine Lights since the temperature here has dipped below 40F (sorry I don't know the conversion to Celsius) almost every day when starting my '01 Prius (98k). <sarcasm off>

I took it to the stealership when it first started happening and they pulled a code that said the "engine didn't start within 6 seconds", but nothing else was wrong. They told me to keep an eye on it. Well the two lights have been coming on almost every day since I took it to them. I just turn them off (thanks to PriusChat for that little bit of info) and head on my way. This occurs when the car has sat for a long while, overnight or while I'm at work (8 hrs).

What happens when I turn the key is this: it will run for about 30 seconds and then the lights (always both) come on and the engine dies. Sometimes the engine shutters off violently. But it always restarts and I always get the lights to go off. Nothing seems to be different when driving the car, I have no problems otherwise.

Any suggestions?

donee · 12-27-2007, 05:56 PM

Hi Czyfrme,

The most common problem with Prii of that vintage, exhibiting that problem is a sticky electric throttle. A throttle cleaning is the first thing to do.

On here , or Hobbit's or Robert Wilson's web site I think I remember seeing the proceedure for cleaning the throttle body. Do a search on Throttle Body Cleaning and see if you can find a link...

bwilson4web · 12-28-2007, 10:37 AM

Hi,

Try this:

http://hiwaay.net/~bzwilson/prius/pri_throttle.html

GOOD LUCK!
Bob Wilson

12-27-2007, 12:31 PM	#1
czyfrme Melissa Etheridge Fan Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: So. Illinois Posts: 15 My Car: 2001 Prius Model: Package: N/A Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Cold Starts? MIL & CEL Lights... I have a question/problem. I've been experiencing this wonderful display of Malfunction Indicator Lights and Check Engine Lights since the temperature here has dipped below 40F (sorry I don't know the conversion to Celsius) almost every day when starting my '01 Prius (98k). <sarcasm off> I took it to the stealership when it first started happening and they pulled a code that said the "engine didn't start within 6 seconds", but nothing else was wrong. They told me to keep an eye on it. Well the two lights have been coming on almost every day since I took it to them. I just turn them off (thanks to PriusChat for that little bit of info) and head on my way. This occurs when the car has sat for a long while, overnight or while I'm at work (8 hrs). What happens when I turn the key is this: it will run for about 30 seconds and then the lights (always both) come on and the engine dies. Sometimes the engine shutters off violently. But it always restarts and I always get the lights to go off. Nothing seems to be different when driving the car, I have no problems otherwise. Any suggestions?

12-27-2007, 05:56 PM	#2
donee Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Chicagoland Posts: 2,244 My Car: 2006 Prius Model: Package: #2 Thanks: 2 Thanked 54 Times in 47 Posts Friends: 0	Re: Cold Starts? MIL & CEL Lights... Hi Czyfrme, The most common problem with Prii of that vintage, exhibiting that problem is a sticky electric throttle. A throttle cleaning is the first thing to do. On here , or Hobbit's or Robert Wilson's web site I think I remember seeing the proceedure for cleaning the throttle body. Do a search on Throttle Body Cleaning and see if you can find a link...

12-28-2007, 10:37 AM	#3
bwilson4web 03 and 10 Prius Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Huntsville AL with 2003 Prius Posts: 3,871 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: III Package: #1 Thanks: 147 Thanked 367 Times in 203 Posts Friends: 20	Re: Cold Starts? MIL & CEL Lights... Hi, Try this: http://hiwaay.net/~bzwilson/prius/pri_throttle.html GOOD LUCK! Bob Wilson