Engine light on only

I can see a new battery in your future

 

The hopefully, simple answer would be the 12v battery is weak.

They are anywhere from around $150-$250 for a Gen II. I know not what they cost for a Gen I.

I also do not know how involved it is to install in a Gen I. I would imagine a bit of a PIA, but not impossible.

Anyway, that would be the first thing I would consider.

Of course, you could always get the code read, but if you or a friend have a multi-tester/voltage meter, checking the 12v should be easy enough. Again, I am not acquainted with how the Gen I is put together.

 

The 2004 is a gen2

 

Welcome to Prius Chat .

For the lights that are illuminated on the dash, there will be stored codes.

Do you have a way to read them?

Keep us posted .

 

The presence of the Engine warning light will mean there's a code stored. Assuming you can't read the codes, and unless you can get some dealership mechanic to make a housecall, it'll likely require a tow, and for somewhere hopefully under a $100 more they can check with Techstream what that code is, propose a course of action and give a quote.

All that aside though: check the low-hanging fruit first, the 12 volt battery condition, oil and coolant levels.

If the 12 volt is fine, and just for giggles: try disconnecting the 12 volt negative lead, say for 30 seconds, then reconnect and try starting again. If it does start after that, I'd maybe go directly to the dealership. The only downside, the disconnect, would the disconnect have wiped stored codes??

 

check the gas cap.

 

Do you have access to a ScanGauge. That's one gizmo I know that will read codes so you can look them up, and can also dismiss them, see if they come back. There's other gizmos I'm sure, that the one I'm semi familiar with.

 

If the codes are still around on Saturday, you could stop by and we could check it out:

Possible Monthly install meets. Bay Area-Fremont

One local option.

 

1. Charge the 12v battery if it's drained
2. Check what's draining the battery
3. When you're able to start it again, check the voltage when it's READY. should be over 13.8v. If not, your battery is not being charged

 

A check engine light only speaks to emissions related issues. The Prius should start unless the 12 volt is too low in voltage to get the computers to the “ready” state.

Does the dash display the green ready light?

 

Can you post a picture of the light that's on?