Car will only go to "ready" state sometimes

Discussion in 'Generation 1 Prius Discussion' started by Ezeh51, Aug 2, 2017.

Tags:
Page 2 of 2
  1. Ezeh51

    Ezeh51 New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 2, 2017
    25
    2
    0
    Location:
    Manchester, NH
    Vehicle:
    2001 Prius
    Model:
    ----USA----
    I've got all of that information now. It appears that I have to remove all of the dash to get to the transponder key ECU, is that correct?
     
    #21 Ezeh51, Aug 6, 2017
  2. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 26, 2009
    17,592
    10,360
    90
    Location:
    Western Washington
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    On the other hand, since the 12V does not drive a starter motor, most Prii seem to start up just fine even with that battery dropping down into the upper 11.xx V range.
     
    #22 fuzzy1, Aug 6, 2017
    Last edited: Aug 6, 2017
    Ezeh51 likes this.
  3. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 30, 2008
    27,345
    17,950
    0
    Location:
    Indiana, USA
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    Art's Automotive replaced one without too much dash disassembly, but made it look a little bit painful. :)

    -Chap
     
    #23 ChapmanF, Aug 6, 2017
    Ezeh51 likes this.
  4. Ezeh51

    Ezeh51 New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 2, 2017
    25
    2
    0
    Location:
    Manchester, NH
    Vehicle:
    2001 Prius
    Model:
    ----USA----
    Found a small black box with a springy post hanging off of it. Flicked the springy post thing a couple of times and just checked to make sure wiring secure. It's started up every time since that but not sure it just randomly starting or fixed yet
     
    #24 Ezeh51, Aug 6, 2017
  5. Ezeh51

    Ezeh51 New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 2, 2017
    25
    2
    0
    Location:
    Manchester, NH
    Vehicle:
    2001 Prius
    Model:
    ----USA----
    Nevrrmind it was just randomly starting and is now back to not starting
     
    #25 Ezeh51, Aug 6, 2017
  6. Ezeh51

    Ezeh51 New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 2, 2017
    25
    2
    0
    Location:
    Manchester, NH
    Vehicle:
    2001 Prius
    Model:
    ----USA----
    Followed this and I've got the immobilizer unbolted. They weren't lying, this thing is tough to get to. The bolt not so bad, scratched up my arm some, but not sure how I'm going to get it unplugged and replugged back in again or test anything in such a tight space
     
    #26 Ezeh51, Aug 6, 2017
  7. Sam Spade

    Sam Spade Senior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 3, 2016
    2,036
    1,023
    0
    Location:
    USA
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius c
    Model:
    Four
    Most but not all.

    And a voltage that low indicates a problem with SOMETHING and that should be checked out FIRST before one spends a ton of time and money on something else.
     
    #27 Sam Spade, Aug 6, 2017
  8. Ezeh51

    Ezeh51 New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 2, 2017
    25
    2
    0
    Location:
    Manchester, NH
    Vehicle:
    2001 Prius
    Model:
    ----USA----
    So I couldn't do a stress test tonight but cleaned the terminals better and got the car to start for a while and after that the voltmeter read 12.59 although I didn't leave the headlights on for a minute or two and the trunk was open so may not be an accurate reading
     
    #28 Ezeh51, Aug 6, 2017
  9. Ezeh51

    Ezeh51 New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 2, 2017
    25
    2
    0
    Location:
    Manchester, NH
    Vehicle:
    2001 Prius
    Model:
    ----USA----
    I agree to check simpler cheaper things first so I will try a different battery
     
    #29 Ezeh51, Aug 6, 2017
  10. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 30, 2008
    27,345
    17,950
    0
    Location:
    Indiana, USA
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    If they had made a theft-prevention control easy to get to, imagine the grief they'd be given for that. :)

    Are you able to reach the connector well enough to do the wiring test you read about in DI-210, 211? Might still take some contortions.

    Even easier might be to get any immobilizer codes, as described on BE-110 and 111. The connector that's being shown there (with pin OP1 indicated) is none other than the DLC3 diagnostic connector above your left knee under the dash, very easy to reach.

    I definitely advocate doing the simple, easy, information-gathering steps, before jumping into replacing anything (even the battery).

    -Chap

    Edit: in case the online manual doesn't have the same page numbers as my dead-tree copy, my page BE-110 is the one that starts with

    PRE-CHECK

    1. TRANSPONDER KEY ECU INPUT CONDITION DISPLAY READ CODE

    (I wonder how many words that was in the original Japanese ... seems like a few too many in English ....)
     
    #30 ChapmanF, Aug 6, 2017
    DLC82SV likes this.
  11. Ezeh51

    Ezeh51 New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 2, 2017
    25
    2
    0
    Location:
    Manchester, NH
    Vehicle:
    2001 Prius
    Model:
    ----USA----
    Lol, nice I'll have to check that first as well. I can actually get two hands in there but can't see anything and can't get the wire off. Trying fish around blindly to check the harness connection may have to refer back to manual tomorrow...
     
    #31 Ezeh51, Aug 7, 2017
  12. Ezeh51

    Ezeh51 New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 2, 2017
    25
    2
    0
    Location:
    Manchester, NH
    Vehicle:
    2001 Prius
    Model:
    ----USA----
    Everything in the manual seems like it has far to few words, lol!
     
    #32 Ezeh51, Aug 7, 2017
  13. Ezeh51

    Ezeh51 New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 2, 2017
    25
    2
    0
    Location:
    Manchester, NH
    Vehicle:
    2001 Prius
    Model:
    ----USA----
    I'm sorry. Thanks for all of the help, I don't really have much of an idea on how to run the tests. I may have to seek out someone local here in NH to help. Does anyone live near Manchester know how to do this or know of any place that can work on it?
     
    #33 Ezeh51, Aug 15, 2017
  14. Ezeh51

    Ezeh51 New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 2, 2017
    25
    2
    0
    Location:
    Manchester, NH
    Vehicle:
    2001 Prius
    Model:
    ----USA----
    One thing I notice is that when I try to start the car the clock light in the dash dims out, is that normal or possible sign of weak battery?
     
    #34 Ezeh51, Aug 15, 2017
  15. Sam Spade

    Sam Spade Senior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 3, 2016
    2,036
    1,023
    0
    Location:
    USA
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius c
    Model:
    Four
    YES.

    Nine days ago, you said you were going to replace the battery.
    Why have you NOT done that yet ??

    There aren't a lot of shops that really know much about hybrids (alas including some Toyota dealers) but any battery store, auto repair shop and most auto parts places can test and replace the 12 V battery.
     
    #35 Sam Spade, Aug 15, 2017
  16. Ezeh51

    Ezeh51 New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 2, 2017
    25
    2
    0
    Location:
    Manchester, NH
    Vehicle:
    2001 Prius
    Model:
    ----USA----
    That's my next step. I was waiting just to see if a friend of mine would be able to help with testing, alas, not an option at this time so on to the battery
     
    #36 Ezeh51, Aug 15, 2017
  17. Ezeh51

    Ezeh51 New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 2, 2017
    25
    2
    0
    Location:
    Manchester, NH
    Vehicle:
    2001 Prius
    Model:
    ----USA----
    So I had forgotten that the car had come with an extra spare key. I was using the spare key which went bad the original key starts up every time. Problem solved and luckily I didn't order the battery yet...
     
    #37 Ezeh51, Aug 17, 2017
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)
Page 2 of 2