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Intermittent shaking and stumbling

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by Jared, Aug 29, 2016.

  1. Jared

    Jared Member

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    Hi Everyone,

    Just wondering if others have had this problem;

    2010 with 166k miles.
    Runs perfectly almost all the time but will occasionally be very rough and unbalanced on acceleration from a stop for a few seconds, then runs well after gaining speed.
    No engine check light on.
    Most noticeable in stop and go traffic.
    Mechanic suggested it might be fuel pump but I am not handing over $900.00 unless necessary.
    Car just completed 2,000k trip and climbed mountains no problem.
    Could this be a transition problem as motor starts up? It seems to happen most often when the battery charge is low.

    Thanks.
     
    #1 Jared, Aug 29, 2016
  2. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    Sounds like it could be a misfire, when did you change the spark plugs?
     
    #2 JC91006, Aug 29, 2016
  3. Jared

    Jared Member

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    Plugs were changed about 90k.
    Wouldn't a misfire trigger a check engine light?
     
    #3 Jared, Aug 29, 2016
  4. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    Yes a misfire would normally trigger a code. Do you hear a whining sound when you come to a stop?
     
    #4 JC91006, Aug 29, 2016
  5. Jared

    Jared Member

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    No. Runs very well except for this problem. Since there is no check engine code I will live with it. It can be irritating in stop and go traffic.
     
    #5 Jared, Aug 29, 2016
  6. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    Why don't you try and clean out your throttle body and MAF sensor first. That cost only a few dollars. That may help out some types of idling problems.
     
    #6 JC91006, Aug 29, 2016
  7. NutzAboutBolts

    NutzAboutBolts Senior Member

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    If its the fuel pump problem, your car will most likely stall and die. Did the mechanic do a fuel pressure test and check if the pump is working properly? how did he determine it was the fuel pump?
     
    #7 NutzAboutBolts, Aug 29, 2016
  8. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    How long have you had the car, for the full life? What maintenance has been done to it? What plugs did you replace the originals with? Does it drink any oil?
     
    #8 Raytheeagle, Aug 29, 2016
  9. liskipper

    liskipper Member

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    Toyota has issued an extended warranty to cover the EGR valve. A faulty valve can produce those symptoms. Call Toyota Customer Service or your dealer.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    #9 liskipper, Aug 30, 2016
  10. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    I got this notice in the mail yesterday. It only applies if you get the P0401 code and the dealer can replicate it.

    If not reproducible, the extended warranty does not apply.
     
    #10 Raytheeagle, Aug 30, 2016
  11. mastereworm

    mastereworm Junior Member

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    Same thing. New spark plugs, EGR cleaning, new fuel pump/filter (via recall) did not help. 220k km, 2010 prius.
     
    #11 mastereworm, May 3, 2018
  12. Bay Stater

    Bay Stater Senior Member

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    The OP's Prius may need a full engine component cleaning. Components to clean are Intake manifold, throttle body, EGR pipe, EGR valve and cooler, and PCV valve replacement. All can be done cheaply if you DIY. There are other threads on PC that relate to this concern. Also check out @NutzAboutBolts DIY videos linked as a sticky thread in this subtitle. Good luck.
     
    #12 Bay Stater, May 4, 2018
  13. Bay Stater

    Bay Stater Senior Member

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    The OP's Prius may need a full engine component cleaning. Components to clean are Intake manifold, throttle body, EGR pipe, EGR valve and cooler, and PCV valve replacement. All can be done cheaply if you DIY. There are other threads on PC that relate to this concern. Also check out @NutzAboutBolts DIY videos linked as a sticky thread in this subtitle. Good luck.
     
    #12 Bay Stater, May 4, 2018
  14. Bay Stater

    Bay Stater Senior Member

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    The OP's Prius may need a full engine component cleaning. Components to clean are Intake manifold, throttle body, EGR pipe, EGR valve and cooler, and PCV valve replacement. All can be done cheaply if you DIY. There are other threads on PC that relate to this concern. Also check out @NutzAboutBolts DIY videos linked as a sticky thread in this subtitle. Good luck.
     
    #13 Bay Stater, May 4, 2018
    Raytheeagle likes this.
  15. Bay Stater

    Bay Stater Senior Member

    Joined:
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    The OP's Prius may need a full engine component cleaning. Components to clean are Intake manifold, throttle body, EGR pipe, EGR valve and cooler, and PCV valve replacement. All can be done cheaply if you DIY. There are other threads on PC that relate to this concern. Also check out @NutzAboutBolts DIY videos linked as a sticky thread in this subtitle. Good luck.
     
    #14 Bay Stater, May 4, 2018
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