diagnosis for P3191 (engine does not start) and P3101 (engine system malfunction)

wayne w · 01-14-2008, 09:55 PM

My 2001 Prius slowed down and stopped with various warning lights on. It started again after 15 minutes. The local Toyota servicepeople put their computer on the car and came up with P3191 and P3101 faults but didn't know what was causing. A hybrid specialist said straight away that the throttle butterfly may be partially blocked and it wasn't a major to fix - so I'm going to take it in to have this work done.
Has anyone else had this problem

moprius · 03-20-2008, 09:57 PM

Did you have the throttle work done? Did it fix the problem?

I have twice had the check engine lights come on, and the car ('01 Prius) slow down enormously. It kept going, but at maybe 10 mph with the gas pedal floored. After a day of sitting, the lights and the failure to respond both go away. I had the codes read and was told P3191 was the incriminating number, but no idea what the problem was. The fuel pump was checked out and reported to be fine.

john1701a · 03-20-2008, 10:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wayne w

Has anyone else had this problem

Yup. Do a search for "BIG HAND SYNDROME".

.

tochatihu · 03-21-2008, 12:01 AM

Download TSB EG011-03, which is provided on page 1 of this thread:

2001 doesn't like being parked on slopes overnight?

This is distinct from the Big Hand, which is most often related to problems with the accelerator pedal. If you do have a accel pedal problem, be aware that Bob Wilson (who posts at PriusChat) is now rebuilding them, for substantially lower cost than the new part from Toyota.

se1972 · 06-05-2008, 07:34 PM

When I started my 2005 Prius, all warning icons were on instead of starting the engine. I tried to turn off the car, but I couldn't. Door lock, window -- nothing worked. So, later all warning icons were disappeared only the malfunction warning were on. But technically the car was no off!

Since my car was parked in the end unit garage in the basement, I had no idea how to tow this car. Anyway, I called AAA, and the technician judged its 12V battery was dead from his many years of experience. And he was right. After the jump-start, it started to work, and perfectly fine. The technician recommended to drive 20-30 minutes to charge the 12V battery.

What happened my 12V battery? I doubt I parked my car for more than 30 hour without noticing my trunk was not fully closed. (I forgot to lock the car on that day as well. Otherwise I might have a warning for the unclosed trunk as you all know.) Its cargo light seemed to drain the 12V battery and I read the similar incident from other Prius forum. Different from other lights, the cargo light is not off automatically though you turn off the engine.

So... when you cannot start your Prius and have the similar symptoms, check there is any reason you drain your 12V battery. Please make sure your trunk is fully closed or make a habit of lock your car -- as you know if the trunk is open, it beeps -- that's a firm way to check whether your trunk is closed or not.

Hope this helps...

01-14-2008, 09:55 PM	#1
wayne w Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Auckland, New Zealand Posts: 1 My Car: 2001 Prius Package: #1 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	diagnosis for P3191 (engine does not start) and P3101 (engine system malfunction) My 2001 Prius slowed down and stopped with various warning lights on. It started again after 15 minutes. The local Toyota servicepeople put their computer on the car and came up with P3191 and P3101 faults but didn't know what was causing. A hybrid specialist said straight away that the throttle butterfly may be partially blocked and it wasn't a major to fix - so I'm going to take it in to have this work done. Has anyone else had this problem

03-20-2008, 09:57 PM	#2
moprius Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Missouri Posts: 5 My Car: 2001 Prius Package: N/A Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Re: diagnosis for P3191 (engine does not start) and P3101 (engine system malfunction) Did you have the throttle work done? Did it fix the problem? I have twice had the check engine lights come on, and the car ('01 Prius) slow down enormously. It kept going, but at maybe 10 mph with the gas pedal floored. After a day of sitting, the lights and the failure to respond both go away. I had the codes read and was told P3191 was the incriminating number, but no idea what the problem was. The fuel pump was checked out and reported to be fine.

03-21-2008, 12:01 AM	#4
tochatihu Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Kunming Yunnan China Posts: 1,681 My Car: 2001 Prius Package: Pioneer #1 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 5	Re: diagnosis for P3191 (engine does not start) and P3101 (engine system malfunction) Download TSB EG011-03, which is provided on page 1 of this thread: 2001 doesn't like being parked on slopes overnight? This is distinct from the Big Hand, which is most often related to problems with the accelerator pedal. If you do have a accel pedal problem, be aware that Bob Wilson (who posts at PriusChat) is now rebuilding them, for substantially lower cost than the new part from Toyota.

06-05-2008, 07:34 PM	#5
se1972 Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 1 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: Pioneer #3 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Re: Prius 2005 Cannot Start the Engine - 12V battery problem When I started my 2005 Prius, all warning icons were on instead of starting the engine. I tried to turn off the car, but I couldn't. Door lock, window -- nothing worked. So, later all warning icons were disappeared only the malfunction warning were on. But technically the car was no off! Since my car was parked in the end unit garage in the basement, I had no idea how to tow this car. Anyway, I called AAA, and the technician judged its 12V battery was dead from his many years of experience. And he was right. After the jump-start, it started to work, and perfectly fine. The technician recommended to drive 20-30 minutes to charge the 12V battery. What happened my 12V battery? I doubt I parked my car for more than 30 hour without noticing my trunk was not fully closed. (I forgot to lock the car on that day as well. Otherwise I might have a warning for the unclosed trunk as you all know.) Its cargo light seemed to drain the 12V battery and I read the similar incident from other Prius forum. Different from other lights, the cargo light is not off automatically though you turn off the engine. So... when you cannot start your Prius and have the similar symptoms, check there is any reason you drain your 12V battery. Please make sure your trunk is fully closed or make a habit of lock your car -- as you know if the trunk is open, it beeps -- that's a firm way to check whether your trunk is closed or not. Hope this helps... Last edited by se1972; 06-05-2008 at 07:54 PM.