PLZ HELP! My Prius Starts and then Stalls!??? HELP!!

I'm on this thing lately where I see odd problems and start suspecting things like the ignition coils. Does it sound like it's knocking? I had major problems at one point and tried a lot of different things. It wasn't until I started the "pull plugs till something happens" test. That I found ignition coil 1 had failed... Or was failing. No codes pointed to it. Symptoms steers off with brake errors... Power steering errors (both on and off)... A few others too... But eventually the engine simply stalled. (there was a Point when 45mph was my max speed)

A lot of odd things for 1 item that will never throw a code.

 

Your engine apparently has two problems if your OBD-II code reader is reading correctly. One is that the variable intake valve timing is not functioning. The other is that the throttle motor is binding.

I doubt that a spark igniter has anything to do with the two problems above.

Based upon your question, I will assume that you do not have a clue about the two problems that I described above. In that case you really would be better off visiting your Toyota dealer.

However if you are a fast learner, then I suggest you visit techinfo.toyota.com and download the repair manual pages that are relevant to the two DTC. Then you can decide whether you are capable of fixing the problems or not. Good luck.

 

You should buy the Bentley book at Amazon. It will help bridge the gap between the automotive knowledge that you have and the sometimes indecipherable service manual.

How long did this car sit? How many bars are on the battery on the display? Have you checked your 12V and verified that you see more than 12.3V with the car just sitting -- sometimes it only takes a few days of non-use and then you have http://priuschat.com/forums/newbie-forum/73400-weird-stuff-happening-mpgs-dropping-test-battery.html Is there anything else about this car that we should know, such salvage title, auction purchase, etc.

P2111 - So, the Prius has throttle-by-wire, and this code says that your throttle motor is stuck open. The first place to start is at the intake: are all wiring harnesses connected, no mouse chewage, etc. Given that you have P0010 which could also be a problem with the main engine wiring harness, that deserves close inspection. Then take the black plastic air box off (i.e. the part that holds the air filter and contains the mass airflow sensor) and inspect the throttle plate, seeing if it moves freely, cleaning it if necessary. If that all looks good, then the service manual says to replace the throttle motor. But, your description is inconsistent with the fail safe for P2111, which is that the throttle plate is supposed to move to a 16 degree angle to allow for a fast idle limp-in mode. It is quite possible that you have many other trouble codes that the code reader can't show you.

 

As Seilerts expounded, the air throat area is very important, it can be cleaned with a clean cloth, and some Mass Air flow cleaner. Physically wipe both sides of the throttle plate. When disassembling the air filter box, you may encounter a very dirty air filter. This will give you a clue as to how the car was cared for. Pulling the plugs is always a educational endeavor, get the right tools and keep them for life. A simple procedure of just brushing the plugs lightly with a brass bristle brush can do wonders. The spark plugs are normally good for 100,000 miles on the Prius, but if the car was abused you may want to change them sooner. Good show on changing the 12V Bat, that is always a good procedure on a unknown car.

 

Documentazione Tecnica Prius 2006

down load the sections to a file on your computer. they download in English.

the only one I couldn't get is the wirring (bad link)

 

hello Guys, i have a 2008 Prius (40K miles) with the same problem: DTC P2111 My engine starts and after 2 seconds it stalls.

I've checked in another posts that the problem could be the throttle valve and sometimes cleaning could be the solution.
But i have some questions for all people that have this experience:
- How do you know if the ECM is ok? and it is sending the right current to the throttle valve?
- How to test the throttle valve? applying 12VDC and 2A current? somebody did it?
- Cleaning of the throttle valve allows you to soft move? how much soft?

Before buying a new throttle valve I will clean the actual, and the i will post my results.
Any Suggestions are welcome.

 

It's not the ECM. You could monitor the current if you have a scan tool or inductive current probe. It is either a sticky throttle plate, the throttle motor, or a wiring problem. The resistance across the throttle motor terminals should be between 0.5 and 100 ohms. This could/should be a power train warranty item in your case (5 years, 60k miles).

 

If the throttle plate is physically stuck, spray a LITTLE WD 40 to unfreeze it then spay spring to the left of air throat with some lubricant or light oil. Unplug elec connector that impedes you from removing the whole air filter box, inspect it, spray both sides of plug with Electronic spray cleaner, Shake off any excess and reinsert connector. Unplug and plug in several times to insure a good contact. You can do this with any any electrical/electronic connector. Make sure the excess is removed first. That throttle plate is normally in the closed position. Be careful when handling the mass air flow sensor.:cheer2:

 

Thanks for your response

Today I've cleaned the throttle valve with any results. Still the same DTC p2111

I've already measure the resistance in the terminals, is 3ohms.

Does anybody knows how to test just the throttle valve? A simple test? Just open and close ellectronically? I saw the plate when I was trying to start the motor and it doesn't open, still close when the car starts, just i reach to hear some sound trying to open it but with no action on the valve (plate).

I can't bring the car to a dealer for the moment, I'm so far away from one of them.

Any adittional suggestion is welcome.

 

Those three codes relate to the throttle position sensor which is located at the throttle body. Apparently you did something to upset that sensor or its wiring harness connector when you replaced the throttle motor.

 

If you want i can send tomorrow some pages from the service manual that shows that DTCs, now i dont have it. Check your inbox.

The throttle valve that you changed was opening or not, before the replacement have you checked it?

I saw that mine was not opening so i will order the throttle valve the next week.

Someone knows how much open this valve? I can see just a try to open but i cannot see a gap for the air just like totally closed.