2001 Prius with 230,000 miles, replacement hybrid battery in January 2009 at 197,000 miles has recently been having mutliple electronic problems. Current status is: o Disconnect the 12 v battery for one or two days. o Re-connect the 12 v battery. o Turn key and the ICE starts up and runs normally for about 20 seconds, but all warning lights are on: Red Triangle, PS, ! Car. o ICE begins to shudder and shake as if it is attempting to engage something that won't turn. o After about 15-20 seconds of shudder/shake the ICE dies and nothing will happen until I start over at disconnect of 12v battery. I am guessing that the ICE is trying to engage the motor/generator that recharges the main battery, but it is stuck. Is that what is called "the inverter"? I appreciate any help or suggestions about how to solve this problem.
Hi, It sounds as if your ICE isn't really starting. You can be fooled because your Prius doesn't have a conventional starter, so you don't have that conventional starting sound. Instead MG1 just spins the ICE right up to operating speed, but then the computer allows it around 15 to 20 seconds to actually start, i.e. reach the point where the MG1 power could be cut and the ICE would keep running on its own. Sounds as if that's what's not happening for you. The roughness you're noticing is probably connected with the ICE's inability to start. You'll really want the diagnostic codes as a start for solving the problem. -Chap
Time the length the engine "runs" with a stopwatch. If it is ~8 seconds (not 20) then dies the engine is not starting. Have the car scanned with Techstream at the dealer. get all the codes/subcodes and share them here. If engine oil was recently changed they may have overfilled it, check intake manifold for a "puddle" by looking through throttle body with butterfly open (remove air cleaner first). Too much oil can prevent a Prius from starting. If you attempt to start too many times you'll drain the HV battery then you'll be in a bit of pickle.
I understand. I have been driving a Prius since March 2001 and I know when the ICE is running. You are right, I do need the diagnostic codes, but I don't have access to a meter at this time. Next move I guess. Thanks.
I had exactly the same issue when I disconnected the 12 volt battery to change out the steering wheel. It's nothing more than the computer getting confused. solved the problem by quickly shifting to neutral once the engine started. I cleared the check engine light with my code reader and after a couple of minutes all the bad lights went out and it operated normally from then on. Do a search and this is a common problem with gen 1 Prii. There's an ECU upgrade of some sort, but it's not that big an issue really.
