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Help! New owner of 2001 Prius warning light advice

Discussion in 'Generation 1 Prius Discussion' started by Smeggs, Dec 28, 2017.

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  1. Smeggs

    Smeggs New Member

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    Hello! Love the Prius Chat website and have poured over these threads looking for anyone with my exact problem. Hoping for any advice, please.

    We recently purchased this awesome 2001 Prius with125,000 miles. It’s been well cared for and regularly serviced to my knowledge, and according to info found on the Toyota website. We took the Prius to our family mechanic to have the rear struts replaced. This mechanic admittedly doesn’t know much about hybrids but is an excellent, competent mechanic in general. Before the strut replacement we’d driven the car about 2,000 Miles with absolutely zero issues. When I picked up the car, after the repairs were complete, I turned the key and it struggled to start. Actually, it did not start the first try. It kind of gurgled a bit and started rough the second try. That’s when I noticed the headlight icon illuminated on the panel. It appears the mechanic left the headlights on—I don’t know for how long. Immediately after the sputtering engine/slow start, the red triangle appeared along with the red car icon with the exclamation mark. The only other symptom that I can see is that the car no longer predictably starts on the first key turn. It always starts on the second key turn. These red warning lights have remained illuminated since (about two weeks).

    We ordered a new 12V battery and replaced it successfully this afternoon. Unfortunately the new battery did not resolve the starting issue nor remove the warning lights. Has anyone been here before? Any advice for me or suggestions about where to go from here?

    Thanks in advance!
     
    #1 Smeggs, Dec 28, 2017
  2. ericbecky

    ericbecky Hybrid Battery Hero

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    I would guess that your check engine light is on as well?
    If so, then there is likely trouble codes stored.
    You can read the trouble codes and they will point you in the right direction so you don't have to guess.

    If you have a trusted mechanic he may be able to read the codes if he has the right equipment.

    Otherwise some parts stores may be able to read the codes for you.

    Or go to the dealer and get them read.

    Or buy some scanning equipment yourself for less than $60. For example, android phone/tablet + Torque Pro app + elm 327 Bluetooth OBDII reader.

    I would choose the last option since you own an old vehicle and problems will arise where it will come in handy.

    I could throw out some random guesses of maintenance that you could try. May or may not be helpful.
    Clean the Mass Airflow sensor (MAF)
    Clean the throttle body
    Sop excess oil out of the intake
    Check spark plugs
    Check coil packs
     
    #2 ericbecky, Dec 29, 2017
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  3. Smeggs

    Smeggs New Member

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    Thank you for the response. The check engine light is not on. Only the red car exclamation and the red triangle. We did take the car to Auto Zone before the new battery arrived in an effort to have any codes captured. The only code they picked up was P0300 Multiple Cylinder Misfire Detected. Any other thoughts are welcome.

    I’m currently looking for a local Prius mechanic that is less expensive than the dealership.

    Thanks!
     
    #3 Smeggs, Dec 29, 2017
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    with a 17 year old car, you will likely need a prius mechanic well versed in gen 1, and a strong checkbook.
    all the best!(y)
     
    #4 bisco, Dec 29, 2017
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  5. greasemonkey007

    greasemonkey007 Active Member

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    I'd suggest getting a mini vci with techstream and install on an old laptop. Then you can get all the diagnostic codes, which AutoZone probably can't get. Post the results on here and I'm sure someone can get you pointed in the right direction. For what it's worth if the hybrid battery is original, prepare for a replacement. They don't hold up as well as the newer ones. I use 3rd gen modules to replace all 38 of the originals with.
     
    #5 greasemonkey007, Dec 30, 2017
  6. Smeggs

    Smeggs New Member

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    Just got our Gen 1 Prius back from a local import mechanic with an impeccable bill of health! The warning lights/delayed starting were both caused by a loose wire (knocked loose while having struts replaced).

    Thanks for the responses!
     
    #6 Smeggs, Jan 31, 2018
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  7. padroo

    padroo Senior Member

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    Can you be more specific about what wire was loose. If we know it can be passed on the next time this comes up.
     
    #7 padroo, Jan 31, 2018
  8. Smeggs

    Smeggs New Member

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    This is what the service summary receipt says:

    Upon inspection and scan, codes present for HY interlock switch. Technician found safety plug not locked in.
     
    #8 Smeggs, Jan 31, 2018
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  9. padroo

    padroo Senior Member

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    You are a lucky man, time to go celebrate and thanks for the reply. Easy fix.
     
    #9 padroo, Jan 31, 2018
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  10. ericbecky

    ericbecky Hybrid Battery Hero

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    Thanks for the reply.
    It's so hard to diagnose from afar sometimes.

    It just goes to show that even basic assumptions (like that the orange plug is fully seated) can be wrong.
     
    #10 ericbecky, Jan 31, 2018
  11. Brian in Tucson

    Brian in Tucson Active Member

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    Excellent! And welcome. You bought one of my favorite cars of all time. Toyota quality was great on these, they can get good mileage, don't look at all like later generations of Prius (which IMHO are butt fuggly.) And a pleasure to drive.

    You will need to fix stuff in the future, so a decent Hybrid shop is in order. But these cars are worth keeping alive.
     
    #11 Brian in Tucson, Feb 1, 2018
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  12. WHCSC

    WHCSC Member

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    I agree about the Gen1s. I wonder if you could put a Gen1 body on a "C"? :)
     
    #12 WHCSC, Feb 1, 2018
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