2007 Prius - Misfire codes and Car won't drive or reverse

I was going to post a new thread, when I saw this one.

My 2007 Prius is experiencing similar problems:

• Went for an Oil Change at a local place.
• Went for a swim/errands run . At this time, when I am leaving the pool, I am able to start the car, but the dashboard is blank/dark. Also, the car would not stop/turn off.
• I manage to bring it home and leave it on Park, with the brake on and somehow manage to disconnect a bit the connector on the Positive (side) of the battery in the trunk. At least now, the car starts, and I am happy and go to sleep.
• Next morning, I come to start the car, and it does not start. The power button is orange, and the dashboard has a lot of lights, including the Red Triangle with the Exclamation point !
• Had to go to work, so after trying turning off and on multiple times with nothing happening, I just leave it there and take the bike/metro to work.
• Following day, I leave the car running for a bit in the morning with the orange light up. When I come back in about 30 mins or so, the car is completely blank, with no lights, signals or anything.
• After work that day, I take the battery out, upon reading several posts here that I might need a new battery. I bring it to Advanced Auto Part and have them charge it on slow for about 24 hours.
• With the battery charged to a certain level, I give the car a try. At least now it goes back to the orange light.
• Tried jump starting it using the ports in the hood. This didn't work. Nothing changed. I do know that while it was connected to the jump start, the battery voltage read about 13.4 v; with it off, it is about 11.7 volts.
• I also tried rebooting the car following these 2 guides, to no avail:

1. fixhybrid page
   
2. priuschat --> threads/how-to-reboot-gen-ii.139253/

• Later this evening, I had someone who tried jump-starting it directly from the battery in the trunk. Nothing.
• He suggested it might be something with the starter? Told me that on Hybrid, this affects the gyros?! <--- Anyone knows if this is founded at all ?!

After seeing this post,

• I checked my oil level and realized that sure enough, the oil is way past the 2nd mark.
• I had a feel something would have been off when the guy asked me to add a Quart of oil; I should have taken it on myself to check and later after the oil change, but I was in a rush and trusted them to do a good job.
• Now, I am trying to follow the guide here and see if I can fix it: youtube v=7XvaDjKNHoI

Wish me luck ! I was hoping to go out of town this weekend, but would now just be glad if this car starts. lol

Anything else I should be mindful of?

 

I'm confused by the information you gave about the oil situation. You just had an oil changed and when you checked it (days/hours later??) there was no oil on the dipstick? The oil guy told you to add a quart???? When were you supposed to do that, or was that after you told him it was low?

Anyway, you may have several issues with your car. The 12 V battery maybe questionable; fairly sure you have a failing/failed combination meter (CM); and there may be other issues, that can be identified by pulling the codes after you fully charge or replace your 12 V battery.

As far as getting the car to turn off with a bad CM, you need to hold the power button in for at least 3 seconds until the car shuts off. Leaving it running indefinitely is only compounding your issues There are plenty of posts about the CM issue, if you search all posts in the Gen 2 forums (and their child forums) using Combination Meter CM as search words. You should find links to videos that show you how to disassemble the dash to get to the CM. You can then send that to Matt (@Texas Hybrid Batteries) for a swap with one he's fixed and a core refund for your one. If DIY is beyond you, you can still obtain a refurb from Matt and find a local mechanic to install it. You then return Matt your old one if you want the core refund.

Take it one step at a time.

 

Thanks for the response.

To clarify on the Oil levels:

• I had leftover from my previous oil changes (1 full quart and some left from the gallon bottle)
• I added 1 quart when I brought in the car for the oil change.
• After putting all of those in, the guy asked to add another quart.
• This is when I should have just gone.

Now, I think this thread is helpful and applies to me because:

• I went through the steps in the video
• Dipstick showed oil way to be above 2nd bar
• When I opened where the air filter is, and looked under, I do see a lot of oil there.
• I drained some out from the valve under the car, and would need to clean it out in the place near the air filter (point above)

However, it is late here now (around 11 p.m.) I will pick this up tomorrow and try from there.

• If this still doesn't help, I will try your method
• I would have to re-assemble the air filter before trying to turn on the car regardless, and it is currently late here.
• To your point, I want to try it one step at the time.

Do know if there is there is an easier way to clean that oil residue? lol. I have been trying it with a paper towel, as the regular towel is too thick. I was hoping there would be like a liquid I put in there to dry it out. lol

 

Ok, I misunderstood what you meant by this, and what you mean the oil is over filled "way passed" (whatever that means, what is it in inches or mm?) the "F" mark at top of the dipstick. Yeah Prius don't like that.

So where is the oil level now on the dipstick and how much is "some" in fl oz or ml?

Nope, but you might find it better to use cotton rags, usually they are recycles T-shirts. I definitely would not use paper towels. I'd also carefully remove the MAF sensor so you don't damage or contaminate it when you mop out your throttle body floor.

And I don't know what you mean by "your method". In relation to the CM, that is a completely different problem. Focus is correctly on fixing the oil level problem and resultant damage caused by that.

 

Awesome !

So, I have

• cleaned the throttle and even cleaned the MAF sensor - Used the appropriate cleaner from Advance Auto in both cases.
• I reset the car by unplugging and re-plugging the 12V battery and all doing the whole thing with the remote key sensor and pressing & holding the power button to reset.

When I try to turn it on, it still doesn't.

• Would the combination meter (CM) help turn it on?

I spoke to a local mechanic who suggested looking at the starter.

• Would changing the starter help?

The battery also seems a bit flaky now.

• It reads at 11.3 ~ 11.4
• Should I bring it back for it to recharge on slow charge?

Thanks for all the help !

 

No, but it does show the lights and such to indicate the state it is in. The car may well be on, but with a dead/flakey CM, you just might not know it. When you think it should be on, press the accelerator down and see if the engine starts.

The Prius doesn't have a starter and the motor/generator that does start it is not easily looked into. I suggest finding a mechanic more knowledgable in the ways of the Prius.

I think you maybe flogging a dead horse, it may just be time to replace that 12 V battery.

 

Please replace your 12 volt battery. It will no longer work properly. You DEFINITELY need a new one. That 12v battery’s health is very important to the operations of the G2 Prius!


iPhone ? Pro

 

Okay. Just wondering, should replacing the battery normally help here? I am checking with my local parts shops now for a Prius battery since there seems to be common agreement around that.

 

Just a quick update that I finally got the car to start.

Thanks goes to the genius at doctorprius.com

It turns out when I unplugged the High Voltage battery, I never closed it properly. Now, the car can start, with a thoroughly cleaned engine too.

(Though it shows an orange signal for a bit <--- I am guessing this is because the Main battery hasn't completely charged yet).

Hooray !!!

 

Rookie mistake.
We've all done it.
You are not the first, and you will not be the last.

 

Could I call you about a problem with my Prius??

 

Always. Although atiat theithe moment it is a holiday weekend.
During the week would be better.

608-729-4082