Check Engine Light

welcome to pchat! i don't think so, should just be the maint. req'd light. all the best!

 

Is this the service indicator light or the CEL light. If it is the CEL then you need to get the codes for it. This could be something as simple as a loose gas cap, but could also be one of the exhaust oxygen sensors. Without the codes we are shooting in the dark.

John (Britprius)

 

Autozone may not be able to get the codes stored in the system. Generic readers don't pick up all of the codes that the CEL will generate. Most will pick up engine codes. Only Techstream that Toyota has will read all of the codes.

There is a dongle being sold on Ebay that comes with the software. Some reports of malware being included, so beware of that. I think it is called "mini vci". I have not tried it though, so I can't vouch for it. I have seen reports of PC members using it though.

Best of luck to you.

 

I think in this instance the code is likely to be an engine code, but I agree this is by no means certain.
I use the mini VCI and find it an invaluable tool for the Prius. At around $30 £23 in my opinion well worth the small cost for anyone that likes to service there own Prius. It will pay for it's self the first time it is used.

John (Britprius)

 

there were some bad pedals from indiana with a recall. not sure of the years involved.

 

might be advisable to practise throwing the car in neutral or holding the power button for 3+ seconds until it powers down in case the pedal gets stuck.

 

I have a 04 with 84K miles. its about a week now that every moment I turn it on "Maint Required" light come on for about 30 sec and than disappear. the only thing i can tell for sure, judging from the noise is that its time to change brake pads. i hear that high frequency noise every time i brake after regen brake ends. it might be oil change or anything else but I am very curious about those codes and the mini VCI.
any thoughts?
thanks

 

I thought that P1121 was the coolant flow control valve failure. Very common item to fail on the Prius. Happened to ours also a year and a half ago.

Luscious Garage | Blog | Prius P1121: Coolant Flow Control Valve Position Sensor Stuck

Sometimes low coolant can trigger the code also. Check the coolant level in the radiator when it is cold. Looking at the reserve bottle is not good enough. You have to check the level in the radiator. It should be full to the bottom of the neck.

 

Is this true? I was under the impression the Torque app for Android (paired with a OBDII bluetooth adapter) could read all the codes.

 

That is just the reminder to change oil soon. It is reset via the procedure in the owner's manual. It comes on solid at 5000 mile intervals. It is not a part of the error reporting (DTC) system.

 

Surprisingly the Prius has a low tech warning system for worn pads, the tuning fork mechanism "no electronics".
The Mini VCI is as close as you can get to dealer level diagnostics and service tool at a very low price. In my opinion an essential piece of equipment for all those wishing to work on there Prius.
I am not degrading the Scangauge, Torque app, or Priidash. All very useful aids when driving, but when you need to bleed the brakes, change the fluid, or do dealer level diagnostics, the VCI is the tool to use.

John (Britprius)

 

Tell me more. Is it easy to use? Can one mess things up with it? etc etc etc

 

Very easy to use. You need a laptop preferably with XP, or Vista, but Windows 7 or 8 can be used. On the gen3 you can set all the things that annoy you like the reversing beep as you want. It will give HV battery module pair voltages, and resistances as well as doing an active test. It will do things like zero point calibration on the steering, read all codes and reset them. It can also record information as you drive.
It is reasonably intuitive to use and on the more complicated jobs "like bleeding brakes" takes you through it step by step. No major computing skills required, if you can use a laptop you can use the VCI.

John (Britprius)

 

Might be worth it just to see what condition my HV battery is in. It's still doing its weird swings of charge, yet other times it behaves itself.

Can you check the 12v levels too? Does the car need to be in Ready mode, Acc or even just switched off?

 

Yes it checks 12 volt battery levels but not with the car completely off. I will see if I can put a screen shot of the battery check.

John (Britprius)

 

And it comes with all instructions, CD, cables etc?

Can you send a DM link please?