Unusual issue, 2002 from texas now in cold weather

[Labythan]

Just this saturday I purchased a 2002 prius with 95k miles on it from texas. It had no mechanical issues so far as I could tell. I took a trek with it from texas to minneapolis (adding 1,500 miles or so), and the car worked great (averaged 41 MPG). After I arrived sunday night, I drove about 10 miles one way and another 10 miles back at 6 am and 10 am resepctively. The car was in the driveway till about 5:30 pm. The weather outside is currently near 0 degrees F whereas it used to be about 72 degrees F in texas.

After driving about 2 miles at 5:30 pm, the check engine light came on, then the car started sputtering with fuel and slowly decelerated. It eventually refused to give any more fuel to the engine. After turning the car off and turning it on again, the engine started great, it idled, and then i could use the gas pedal for about 250 feet before the gas pedal refused to operate. Turning the car off and back on again let the car start great, idled fine, and then I got about 250 more feet out of it (until I got home a few blocks away).

So far as I can tell there are no problems with the main battery, the starter, any of the electronics, or other hybridish equipment. It appears to be completley a issue within the ICE. The largest clue is the sputtering engine before the gas pedal goes unresponsive. My best guesses are due to the car behaving great up until it got aclimated to the fridged weather of minnesota, the engine oil may be too thick. Is this an adaquate guess?

Anyone have any ideas?

[Rokeby]

Labythan,

Welcome to PriusChat.

Before considering more complex matters, how much fuel did the gas, "guess,"
gauge show was in the tank?

Also, what viscosity oil was in the ICE?

[Labythan]

3/4 tank full. I don't know what the viscosity is, but I theorize whatever viscosity the oil would be in Texas would be inappropriate for a car in Minnesota. I am trying to determine if this is a possible cause of the symptoms so I have more information. I initially thought fuel pump, but a call to the local Toyota service department later, I was told that Toyota fuel pumps have a reputation for never failing, and it is probably another issue.

[Rokeby]

Labythan,

A number of members have reported difficult starting, irregular running,
and other ICE related difficulties that ultimately were traced to a dirty
MAF sensor and/or throttle plate. (This can occur apparently after an
oil over fill, operations in extremely dusty conditions, etc.)

There are a number of threads on this subject. Use the search window
with to the upper right -- not the one in the blue bar at the top -- with
the search term "maf+cleaner." Then click on the threads to see what was
said.

To get the MAF sensor, you'll have to take off the air cleaner.
You might as well check that ASAP just to rule it out as the problem.

Note: The MAF sensor must be treated very gentley/carefully to prevent
damage. If you're at all uncertain about what/how to do it, you should
go to a qualified tech.

[Labythan]

Thanks - I'll have a mechanic look at it.

Seriously, really appreciate the help

[mlibanio]

Have you considered that somebody may have put something other than "gasoline" inside the tank? Perhaps too much fuel injector cleaner. At idle it would likely run fine, put too much and instead of the fuel igniting, it just catches fire, and the car would slowly putter out. Try putting in some octane booster to see if it helps.

[mlibanio]

Also a possibility that you or somebody filled up with Diesel fuel instead? I almost did that once! Stupid green handle!!!

[bwilson4web]

Originally Posted by Labythan

. . .

So far as I can tell there are no problems with the main battery, the starter, any of the electronics, or other hybridish equipment. It appears to be completley a issue within the ICE. The largest clue is the sputtering engine before the gas pedal goes unresponsive. My best guesses are due to the car behaving great up until it got aclimated to the fridged weather of minnesota, the engine oil may be too thick. Is this an adaquate guess?

Anyone have any ideas?

Check your throttle plate to see if gunk has built up and it needs to be cleaned.

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

Everything you describe is consistent with sticky throttle plate.

Bob Wilson