Panel lights Skid - Engine Check on, Won't Start

radilly · 04-12-2006, 01:02 PM

Hi-

I'm a newbie to this forum and the Prius. I'm a little panicy to be honest, watching my '06 Prius with 580 miles on the clock being loading onto a flatbed this morning. I'm still waiting to hear from the dealer; it's been about 2 hours.

Up until the commute home, I'd say it's been a great car. Yesterday the (yellow) Brake Warning light and and VSC light came on, along with the Master. This morning, on my way to the dealer, the adjacent indicators and the BRAKE like came on, and the POWER button light when to red. I could at least get the car into Neutral to get it on the flatbed. As the minutes tick by, I continue to think about the decision I made to purchase a Prius now.

We're blessed in having our Saturn Wagon still available to drive, but from the little bit I've read here, this is sounding like the car might be out of commission for weeks.

Interestingly the dealer asked about filling the gas recently. Ironically, I was planning to stop for gas (my second fillup), but the light show started about 2 miles before I got to the gas station. The gas gauge was still showing 3 segments lit when I snapped a photo this morning. Gas wouldn't have been my first thought to be honest.

I suppose I'm partly nervous because my old wagon is a standard with power nothing and I mostly understand what makes it tick. Being a programmer and s/w tester, I has some "issues" to get past in spite of feeling like this was "the right thing to do".

Anyway, if anyone with more experience can shed some light, or just some assurance that this wasn't the most expensive mistake I've ever made- it would be appreciated.

Bob

qbee42 · 04-12-2006, 01:28 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Western_PA_Bob @ Apr 12 2006, 01:02 PM) [snapback]238598[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Anyway, if anyone with more experience can shed some light, or just some assurance that this wasn't the most expensive mistake I've ever made- it would be appreciated.

Bob
[/b]

Hi Bob,

Take a few deep breaths and try not to panic, which of course is easy for me to say since it's not my Prius being loaded onto the flatbed. Prius have great reliability figures, so we know you haven't made a general error buying a Prius. Even with well made and well designed equipment, there are some failures, and your Prius is the lucky (or unlucky) statistic. It's going to be a bad control box or some such component that the dealer will swap out under warrenty, and everything will be good as new.

Hang in there,
Tom

andreaswin · 04-12-2006, 01:34 PM

[

hi!

terrible when this happens..... i think warranty should cover this anyway :-)
as far as i know there are not much faults on the prius,, If You search the forum You will se this.
few post with error compared to numbers of members and total posts :-)

anyway , could be some of the main electronics gone bad in your case,, or i guess that if You have a fault in "break by wire" system the prius computer will not allow you to drive at all.... no brakes no driving....

Cheers
Andreas

Anyway, if anyone with more experience can shed some light, or just some assurance that this wasn't the most expensive mistake I've ever made- it would be appreciated.

Bob
[/quote]

Marlin · 04-12-2006, 01:42 PM

This sounds suspiciously like what happened to my wife's car yesterday.

http://priuschat.com/index.php?showtopic=18213&hl=

She had all the dash lights that you show lit up, such as the VSC, ABS, and brake.

Has anyone had a major problem with their Prius and have not had all the dash lights come on. From the various posts I've read, it seems like whenever something significant comes happens, all the lights turn on.

For instance, my wife's car acted like it ran out of gas and the engine won't come on anymore. What does the engine have to do with VSC, ABS, or for that matter the brakes? The brake hydrolics don't require the engine.

DocVijay · 04-12-2006, 01:46 PM

What did it say on the MFD. I can see a red icon there at the top corner, but not what it said. The Prius can be helpful in that it gives relevant messages.

galaxee · 04-12-2006, 02:10 PM

i think you did make a smart choice, even if something's up. the prius has one of the lowest problem rates around, as well as one of the highest customer satisfaction ratings.

it's a brake issue the car may have gone into kind of a "safe mode", which would be indicated by the power button light changing to amber color.

interact with the dealership, talk to the tech, make sure he completely understands what happened. this is a job for a good diagnostic tech and they represent a minority of guys out there in the shop. how long it's out of service depends on who is working on your car- use this as an opportunity to evaluate that dealership and decide if you're going back. and as an opportunity to find out more about your car (by lots of reading here on PC) so you feel more comfortable with it in the future.

have them tell you the error codes they read and we'll be able to help more.

good luck.

radilly · 04-12-2006, 03:47 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(DocVijay @ Apr 12 2006, 01:46 PM) [snapback]238625[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

What did it say on the MFD. I can see a red icon there at the top corner, but not what it said. The Prius can be helpful in that it gives relevant messages.
[/b]

Actually, that's all there was ... the red icon, but yesterday when I only had two indicators and this morning when I had a bunch, I didn't see anything but the red icon. It is sounding like the system was / is "panicing".

Thanks for the confirmation. I was expecting some sort of message.

Bob

(If there was anything "interesting", I'd have framed the photo to include the M.F.Display!)

radilly · 04-12-2006, 03:58 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Marlin @ Apr 12 2006, 01:42 PM) [snapback]238621[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

This sounds suspiciously like what happened to my wife's car yesterday.

http://priuschat.com/index.php?showtopic=18213&hl=

She had all the dash lights that you show lit up, such as the VSC, ABS, and brake.

Has anyone had a major problem with their Prius and have not had all the dash lights come on. From the various posts I've read, it seems like whenever something significant comes happens, all the lights turn on.
[/b]

I had read your post this morning and it struck me as somewhat similar, especially the gas question. I didn't actually stumble onto much else when I searched, and perhaps it's simply because, as a rule, the Prius is robust. I just got off the phone with a service manager who said they were road testing the car now after talking with California. He was thinking I would have to back today. I put him "on notice"

that I would have a lot of questions.

I'll share whatever I learn...

radilly · 04-12-2006, 05:50 PM

OK-

Here's my understanding, paraphrased from the service manager's customer speak, my inability to take notes, and my desire to understand some of the nuts and bolts...

The Error Codes:
B1 200 - mumble Body Computer mumble mumble
B1 207 - mumble Smart Key mumble
B1 1271 - mumble ECU ...

I assume these are something one can lookup?

The local dealer consulted with California as I mentioned, and discovered that there may be a problem with the air conditioning compressor (motor), which will be replaced over the next few business days. I may have the car back early next week due to the holiday.

This connects to the illuminated indicators due to the load the (bad) A/C motor puts on the battery. Apparently the car thinks the main Battery is failing (or maybe close to shorting out, and cooking) and shuts down completely. I'm kind of glad I was just a couple miles from home yesterday and the complete shutdown waiting until this morning in the garage. From a safety perspective, it's probably a reasonable response, though it does smack of the highway stall issue I've read a little about.

Now this is a little speculative. The service manager mentioned the word "recall" with respect the the A/C compressor, though he left me with the impression Toyota wasn't quite there yet. I gathered they want the failing unit for study. While I had the Climate system in "Auto" and it may have used the A/C for defrosting the windshield, yesterday was the first time I used the actual A/C (which definately worked). It may be something for those of you with newer Prii to be aware of.

I hasten to add that the dealer offered a loaner car before we got into any of this. Perhaps I should have taken him up on it, but we have still have a couple of very functional Saturns, and, well, the same attitude that lead to the purchase of a Prius made me decline what I don't really need. I offered that could could cover the towing, to which I got a "no problem".

All in all, I'm feeling considerably better than I did a few hours ago. I'm cautiously optimistic, and feel better understanding how the symptoms connect to the root problem.

Cheers- Bob

EricGo · 04-12-2006, 06:56 PM

Bob, thank you *very* much for sharing.

Galaxee and others will provide explanations; i'll just reassure you that there is a close to 100% likelihood your car's bug will be found and fixed, and you will have a long and satisfying ownership experience thereafter.

Why can I say this ? I've never read otherwise, and I have been reading *all* Prius related news for 3 years now.

So hang in there, and thanks again for allowing us to peak over your shoulder.

04-12-2006, 01:02 PM	#1
radilly Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: North 'burbs of Pittsburgh Posts: 7 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Hi- I'm a newbie to this forum and the Prius. I'm a little panicy to be honest, watching my '06 Prius with 580 miles on the clock being loading onto a flatbed this morning. I'm still waiting to hear from the dealer; it's been about 2 hours. Up until the commute home, I'd say it's been a great car. Yesterday the (yellow) Brake Warning light and and VSC light came on, along with the Master. This morning, on my way to the dealer, the adjacent indicators and the BRAKE like came on, and the POWER button light when to red. I could at least get the car into Neutral to get it on the flatbed. As the minutes tick by, I continue to think about the decision I made to purchase a Prius now. We're blessed in having our Saturn Wagon still available to drive, but from the little bit I've read here, this is sounding like the car might be out of commission for weeks. Interestingly the dealer asked about filling the gas recently. Ironically, I was planning to stop for gas (my second fillup), but the light show started about 2 miles before I got to the gas station. The gas gauge was still showing 3 segments lit when I snapped a photo this morning. Gas wouldn't have been my first thought to be honest. I suppose I'm partly nervous because my old wagon is a standard with power nothing and I mostly understand what makes it tick. Being a programmer and s/w tester, I has some "issues" to get past in spite of feeling like this was "the right thing to do". Anyway, if anyone with more experience can shed some light, or just some assurance that this wasn't the most expensive mistake I've ever made- it would be appreciated. Bob __________________ 2006 Prius - Option Package C / #8 - Seaside Pearl - Purchased 02/28/06

04-12-2006, 02:10 PM	#6
galaxee resident lab rat Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: south of lake Michigan Posts: 9,736 My Car: 2005 Prius Model: N/A Package: #5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 129 Times in 52 Posts Friends: 26	i think you did make a smart choice, even if something's up. the prius has one of the lowest problem rates around, as well as one of the highest customer satisfaction ratings. it's a brake issue the car may have gone into kind of a "safe mode", which would be indicated by the power button light changing to amber color. interact with the dealership, talk to the tech, make sure he completely understands what happened. this is a job for a good diagnostic tech and they represent a minority of guys out there in the shop. how long it's out of service depends on who is working on your car- use this as an opportunity to evaluate that dealership and decide if you're going back. and as an opportunity to find out more about your car (by lots of reading here on PC) so you feel more comfortable with it in the future. have them tell you the error codes they read and we'll be able to help more. good luck. __________________ black 2005 prius, a few mods that make me happy data don't collect themselves- that's my job, and it keeps me very busy.

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04-12-2006, 01:34 PM	#3
andreaswin Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: NORWAY Posts: 72 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	[ hi! terrible when this happens..... i think warranty should cover this anyway :-) as far as i know there are not much faults on the prius,, If You search the forum You will se this. few post with error compared to numbers of members and total posts :-) anyway , could be some of the main electronics gone bad in your case,, or i guess that if You have a fault in "break by wire" system the prius computer will not allow you to drive at all.... no brakes no driving.... Cheers Andreas Anyway, if anyone with more experience can shed some light, or just some assurance that this wasn't the most expensive mistake I've ever made- it would be appreciated. Bob [/quote]

04-12-2006, 01:42 PM	#4
Marlin Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Bucks County, PA Posts: 1,409 My Car: 2005 Prius Model: Package: #6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts Friends: 0	This sounds suspiciously like what happened to my wife's car yesterday. http://priuschat.com/index.php?showtopic=18213&hl= She had all the dash lights that you show lit up, such as the VSC, ABS, and brake. Has anyone had a major problem with their Prius and have not had all the dash lights come on. From the various posts I've read, it seems like whenever something significant comes happens, all the lights turn on. For instance, my wife's car acted like it ran out of gas and the engine won't come on anymore. What does the engine have to do with VSC, ABS, or for that matter the brakes? The brake hydrolics don't require the engine.

04-12-2006, 01:46 PM	#5
DocVijay Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 1,455 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 1	What did it say on the MFD. I can see a red icon there at the top corner, but not what it said. The Prius can be helpful in that it gives relevant messages.

04-12-2006, 05:50 PM	#9
radilly Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: North 'burbs of Pittsburgh Posts: 7 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	OK- Here's my understanding, paraphrased from the service manager's customer speak, my inability to take notes, and my desire to understand some of the nuts and bolts... The Error Codes: B1 200 - mumble Body Computer mumble mumble B1 207 - mumble Smart Key mumble B1 1271 - mumble ECU ... I assume these are something one can lookup? The local dealer consulted with California as I mentioned, and discovered that there may be a problem with the air conditioning compressor (motor), which will be replaced over the next few business days. I may have the car back early next week due to the holiday. This connects to the illuminated indicators due to the load the (bad) A/C motor puts on the battery. Apparently the car thinks the main Battery is failing (or maybe close to shorting out, and cooking) and shuts down completely. I'm kind of glad I was just a couple miles from home yesterday and the complete shutdown waiting until this morning in the garage. From a safety perspective, it's probably a reasonable response, though it does smack of the highway stall issue I've read a little about. Now this is a little speculative. The service manager mentioned the word "recall" with respect the the A/C compressor, though he left me with the impression Toyota wasn't quite there yet. I gathered they want the failing unit for study. While I had the Climate system in "Auto" and it may have used the A/C for defrosting the windshield, yesterday was the first time I used the actual A/C (which definately worked). It may be something for those of you with newer Prii to be aware of. I hasten to add that the dealer offered a loaner car before we got into any of this. Perhaps I should have taken him up on it, but we have still have a couple of very functional Saturns, and, well, the same attitude that lead to the purchase of a Prius made me decline what I don't really need. I offered that could could cover the towing, to which I got a "no problem". All in all, I'm feeling considerably better than I did a few hours ago. I'm cautiously optimistic, and feel better understanding how the symptoms connect to the root problem. Cheers- Bob

04-12-2006, 06:56 PM	#10
EricGo Three cats, one Prius, and assorted humans Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Albuquerque, NM (SouthWest US) Posts: 1,810 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Bob, thank you very much for sharing. Galaxee and others will provide explanations; i'll just reassure you that there is a close to 100% likelihood your car's bug will be found and fixed, and you will have a long and satisfying ownership experience thereafter. Why can I say this ? I've never read otherwise, and I have been reading all Prius related news for 3 years now. So hang in there, and thanks again for allowing us to peak over your shoulder.