Cold weather cut out

kkayser · 03-06-2007, 03:45 AM

After driving about 10 miles on the freeway with the temp around zero fahrenheit, I tried to accelerate, but the gas engine cut out completely. Only when I let up on the accelerator did the gas engine start running again. I could not go over 45 mph, really quite scary. Anyone know the problem? Prius is a 2004.

**efusco** · 03-06-2007, 08:23 AM

Absolutely not normal. Interesting that both you and your 'friend' are having problems with your Prius.

brick · 03-06-2007, 11:55 AM

That's the kind of thing that ought to throw a light show and a code if it's actually a problem with HSD.

The only thing I can think of that might not throw a code is a bad sensor in the accelerator. Could be that there's a dead zone, though I don't know how they work so it's hard to say if it's possible. To the dealer you must go...

JayGoldstein · 03-06-2007, 12:14 PM

I've experienced something similar on a couple of occasions under very cold (-20C and below) conditions.

Hard acceleration caused extreme surging (it felt like the ICE died momentarily and then kicked in again). It is a scary feeling! When this happened, gentle application of the throttle prevented further surging.

My experience differed from yours in that I had no problem exceeding 45 mph (72 km/h) when the surging stopped.

DaveinOlyWA · 03-06-2007, 12:28 PM

at that temp, could be gas line freeze up would be the first thing i look at.

usbseawolf2000 · 03-06-2007, 12:36 PM

What is the condition like in WI? Is it snowing? Are you driving on slippery surface? Do you see the Traction Control light come on?

If No then it doesn't sound normal.

kkayser · 03-06-2007, 02:28 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(DaveinOlyWA @ Mar 6 2007, 11:28 AM) [snapback]400942[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

at that temp, could be gas line freeze up would be the first thing i look at.
[/b]

Can't be that. All gasoline here contains 10% ethanol.

DaveinOlyWA · 03-07-2007, 10:00 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(wauwis @ Mar 6 2007, 11:28 AM) [snapback]401040[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Can't be that. All gasoline here contains 10% ethanol. [/b]

same here and IF everything was always as it should be, i would never think that you got a bad batch of gas that had excessive water in it

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03-06-2007, 03:45 AM	#1
kkayser Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 14 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	After driving about 10 miles on the freeway with the temp around zero fahrenheit, I tried to accelerate, but the gas engine cut out completely. Only when I let up on the accelerator did the gas engine start running again. I could not go over 45 mph, really quite scary. Anyone know the problem? Prius is a 2004.

03-06-2007, 08:23 AM	#2
efusco Troll Slayer Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Nixa, MO Posts: 14,247 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: #9 Nominated 1 Time in 1 Post TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 24	Absolutely not normal. Interesting that both you and your 'friend' are having problems with your Prius.

03-06-2007, 11:55 AM	#3
brick Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Columbia, SC Posts: 700 My Car: 2007 Prius Package: #2 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	That's the kind of thing that ought to throw a light show and a code if it's actually a problem with HSD. The only thing I can think of that might not throw a code is a bad sensor in the accelerator. Could be that there's a dead zone, though I don't know how they work so it's hard to say if it's possible. To the dealer you must go...

03-06-2007, 12:14 PM	#4
JayGoldstein Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada Posts: 80 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: B Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I've experienced something similar on a couple of occasions under very cold (-20C and below) conditions. Hard acceleration caused extreme surging (it felt like the ICE died momentarily and then kicked in again). It is a scary feeling! When this happened, gentle application of the throttle prevented further surging. My experience differed from yours in that I had no problem exceeding 45 mph (72 km/h) when the surging stopped.

03-06-2007, 12:28 PM	#5
DaveinOlyWA Opps !! I Did it Again!! Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: South Puget Sound, WA Posts: 9,667 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #4 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 5	at that temp, could be gas line freeze up would be the first thing i look at.

03-06-2007, 12:36 PM	#6
usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Queens, NY Posts: 1,636 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #3 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 47	What is the condition like in WI? Is it snowing? Are you driving on slippery surface? Do you see the Traction Control light come on? If No then it doesn't sound normal.