Technical Question

BitShifter01 · 02-24-2009, 04:24 PM

Hello,

I was on my way into work when my Prius started to cut out when accelerating. Let me explain:

Driving conditions:
About 19 Degrees and clear.

The State of Charge on the Hybrid Battery was 1 bar away from being green. I was going about 55 mph and decided to accelerate to the speed limit (65). When I accelerated I noticed the Prius seemed to have revved higher than normal and then the gas engine cut out like it hit its rev limiter. I also noticed a slight loss in power. It was almost like the batteries where dead. I notice the car seems to rev high when the batteries are red (two bars) but then it stops once the batteries are 3 to 4 bars and up.

Has anyone else experienced this problem? I only noticed it one other time. I would contribute it to the cold weather, but I bought this car new back in 04 and have never experienced this problem.

I may take it into the dealership since it is still covered under warranty.
Any help is appreciated.
Thanks,
Ryan

jayman · 02-24-2009, 05:38 PM

Haven't had anything like that happen. No check engine light?

Bob64 · 02-24-2009, 06:28 PM

What car do you have?

Be sure the vent is not covered.

richard schumacher · 02-24-2009, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob64

Be sure the vent is not covered.

Good one! I haven't thought of that possibility in a while.

Bob means, make certain that the battery cooling vent to the right of the rear seat is completely un-obscured.

donee · 02-26-2009, 06:49 AM

Hi Ryan,

The vent comment would be an unlikely issue if your temp was 19 F, but it would if the temp was 19 C.

A standard thing to check with loss of power on all vehicles is the engine air-filter. Hold it up to the sun, and you should be able to see a glow through the element. If not, you need a new element.

BTW, this seems more like a "Care and Maintenance" question, than a "Prius Technical Discussion" post. But, that is just one of my pet peives.

northwichita · 03-02-2009, 10:37 PM

[quote=BitShifter01;801759]Hello,

I was on my way into work when my Prius started to cut out when accelerating. Let :

I had a few briefs 'stalls' under heavy acceleration , occurring only when taking off from a stop, this went away when I changed my spark plugs in my 130 k 04 prius. Original plugs I believe. I changed them myself, wouldn't consider it too difficult . An fyi for anyone looking for signs to change plugs. Also, this improved the transition when the engine would turn off, before I believe some 'dieseling' effect occurred.
Spark plugs and the throttle body for buildup are two places to start.

richard schumacher · 03-03-2009, 07:28 PM

Are you certain it was not merely wheel slip?

02-24-2009, 04:24 PM	#1
BitShifter01 Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 91 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Technical Question Hello, I was on my way into work when my Prius started to cut out when accelerating. Let me explain: Driving conditions: About 19 Degrees and clear. The State of Charge on the Hybrid Battery was 1 bar away from being green. I was going about 55 mph and decided to accelerate to the speed limit (65). When I accelerated I noticed the Prius seemed to have revved higher than normal and then the gas engine cut out like it hit its rev limiter. I also noticed a slight loss in power. It was almost like the batteries where dead. I notice the car seems to rev high when the batteries are red (two bars) but then it stops once the batteries are 3 to 4 bars and up. Has anyone else experienced this problem? I only noticed it one other time. I would contribute it to the cold weather, but I bought this car new back in 04 and have never experienced this problem. I may take it into the dealership since it is still covered under warranty. Any help is appreciated. Thanks, Ryan __________________ EV Mod Nav Mod - To enter destinations while driving Window Tint Bazooka Sub

02-24-2009, 05:38 PM	#2
jayman Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Winnipeg Manitoba Posts: 11,560 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: Package: B Thanks: 35 Thanked 185 Times in 168 Posts Friends: 12	Re: Technical Question Haven't had anything like that happen. No check engine light?

02-24-2009, 06:28 PM	#3
Bob64 Sapphire of the Blue Sky Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Virginia Posts: 1,135 My Car: 2007 Prius Model: N/A Package: #2 Thanks: 3 Thanked 9 Times in 9 Posts Friends: 0	Re: Technical Question What car do you have? Be sure the vent is not covered.

02-26-2009, 06:49 AM	#5
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: Technical Question Hi Ryan, The vent comment would be an unlikely issue if your temp was 19 F, but it would if the temp was 19 C. A standard thing to check with loss of power on all vehicles is the engine air-filter. Hold it up to the sun, and you should be able to see a glow through the element. If not, you need a new element. BTW, this seems more like a "Care and Maintenance" question, than a "Prius Technical Discussion" post. But, that is just one of my pet peives.

03-02-2009, 10:37 PM	#6
northwichita Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 148 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: N/A Package: #6 Thanks: 16 Thanked 17 Times in 12 Posts Friends: 2	Re: Technical Question [quote=BitShifter01;801759]Hello, I was on my way into work when my Prius started to cut out when accelerating. Let : I had a few briefs 'stalls' under heavy acceleration , occurring only when taking off from a stop, this went away when I changed my spark plugs in my 130 k 04 prius. Original plugs I believe. I changed them myself, wouldn't consider it too difficult . An fyi for anyone looking for signs to change plugs. Also, this improved the transition when the engine would turn off, before I believe some 'dieseling' effect occurred. Spark plugs and the throttle body for buildup are two places to start.

03-03-2009, 07:28 PM	#7
richard schumacher Destination: Eschaton Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: United States Posts: 5,508 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: N/A Package: #6 Thanks: 99 Thanked 93 Times in 66 Posts Friends: 0	Re: Technical Question Are you certain it was not merely wheel slip?

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