check engine light

[100MPG]

Considering buying a 2005 prius (5k mi total) from someone which apparently runs great, except the CEL came on about 6 hours of driving ago on a cross country trip; still fine MPG even. I have no easy way of checking what codes it's sending before buying, so i am wondering:

(1) What's the most common reason for the CEL to be on? What percent of the time is it this?
(2) What's the most expensive thing anyone's heard of that was alerted by a CEL on an otherwise perfect prius?

OK, you're right, I am insane. But determined!

[cwerdna]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(100MPG @ Jul 25 2006, 11:11 PM) [snapback]292447[/snapback]</div>

Considering buying a 2005 prius (5k mi total) from someone which apparently runs great, except the CEL came on about 6 hours of driving ago on a cross country trip; still fine MPG even. I have no easy way of checking what codes it's sending before buying, so i am wondering:

(1) What's the most common reason for the CEL to be on? What percent of the time is it this?
(2) What's the most expensive thing anyone's heard of that was alerted by a CEL on an otherwise perfect prius?

OK, you're right, I am insane. But determined!
[/b]

1) A loose gas cap could cause it. As for percentage and how common, hard to say.

I would get the codes checked before buying. It could be any numbers of things in lists like http://www.obd-codes.com/trouble_codes/index.php. Can you tell me which it is w/o retrieving the code?

Why would you buy a used Prius at all? You do realize that it's not eligible for the $3150 tax credit (http://www.aceee.org/transportation/...cred.htm#table), right? Also, do keep in mind that unless the credit is extended, it will be 1/2 after Sept 30th for Toyota/Lexus hybrids (http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercu...s/14755573.htm).

If I were in your shoes, I'd go to a couple dealers, put down a deposits and give them multiple package and color choices to maximize the odds that something they have coming in matches what you want.

[galaxee]

you can take it to a mechanic and have them give it a quick look-over to make sure it's in good shape... many will do this for a very low cost. of course, you do want to find out what they charge before doing that

you don't want to take this car without knowing what's causing that light.

[Rellwood]

Are you sure it's the Check Engine Light (picture of an engine), and not MAINT REQD, which appears around 5000 miles as an oil change reminder?

That can easily be reset by turning OFF with odometer (not trip) displayed, then pressing power twice while holding down the trip meter reset (WITHOUT pressing foot brake), for at least 5 secs until 000000 displays and light goes off. (see owners manual for details)

[bigj3347]

Just to confirm, the check engine light on the 05 is the icon of an engine with the workd CHECK undernearth it. MAINT REQD is the light to chagne your oik. My check engine light came on two weeks ago so I had my dealer check it out while I did my 30,000 maintenance and they ran a computer scan. The problem was a faulty ignition coil. It was not a major problem that I couldn't drive with. They had to special order the part and I had it replaced last week for free. I was still under my warranty.

[100MPG]

what's the best OBD-II reader i should get as far as an overall value (function vs. cost) for a prius?

i'm getting the picture that i should fly out there and get the code(s) from it. any codes in particular that i should watch out for that could indicate a fatal disease in an otherwise smoothly functioning prius?

buying used because $15K is cheaper than new (w/nav, etc.) -$3K.


<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(cwerdna @ Jul 26 2006, 01:57 AM) [snapback]292454[/snapback]</div>

1) A loose gas cap could cause it. As for percentage and how common, hard to say.

I would get the codes checked before buying. It could be any numbers of things in lists like http://www.obd-codes.com/trouble_codes/index.php. Can you tell me which it is w/o retrieving the code?

Why would you buy a used Prius at all? You do realize that it's not eligible for the $3150 tax credit (http://www.aceee.org/transportation/...cred.htm#table), right? Also, do keep in mind that unless the credit is extended, it will be 1/2 after Sept 30th for Toyota/Lexus hybrids (http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercu...s/14755573.htm).

If I were in your shoes, I'd go to a couple dealers, put down a deposits and give them multiple package and color choices to maximize the odds that something they have coming in matches what you want.
[/b]

[galaxee]

there are several hundred causes of check engine lights ranging from completely harmless to complete disaster...

[cwerdna]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(100MPG @ Jul 26 2006, 05:10 PM) [snapback]292871[/snapback]</div>

what's the best OBD-II reader i should get as far as an overall value (function vs. cost) for a prius?

i'm getting the picture that i should fly out there and get the code(s) from it. any codes in particular that i should watch out for that could indicate a fatal disease in an otherwise smoothly functioning prius?

buying used because $15K is cheaper than new (w/nav, etc.) -$3K.
[/b]

Sounds fishy now. What state is this car in? Have you run a Carfax check on it to see where it's been registered (think flood damage) and whether it's got a salvage title? Why would someone be dumping a 05 Prius w/5K miles for $12-$15K less than a new one? Have you seen what used Priuses normally go for?

Go put yourself on waitlist at >1 dealer now while you're still messing w/this...

[cagemo]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(100MPG @ Jul 26 2006, 05:10 PM) [snapback]292871[/snapback]</div>

buying used because $15K is cheaper than new (w/nav, etc.) -$3K.
[/b]

Sounds exactly like this salvage car on ebay. Did you buy this one?

[cwerdna]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(cagemo @ Jul 26 2006, 11:33 PM) [snapback]293030[/snapback]</div>

Sounds exactly like this salvage car on ebay. Did you buy this one?
[/b]

Scary... the seller only has 1 positive feedback. I wouldn't buy a car from anyone w/so little history on Ebay.