07 with Check Engine Light about solenoids

If you have an android phone, you can use an OBD bluetooth adapter and some free prius/hybrid apps to communicate with the car and be able to read the hybrid specific codes.

 

Another issue you may be experiencing is that the first 5 minutes of operation is basically warmup time for a prius. My mileage for the first 5 minutes is typically around 25mpg. If all you do is very short trips, its going to be difficult to get better mpg.

There's a thread somewhere on the forum that describes the 3 or 4 operating modes of a Gen 2. The first 5 minutes is the worst for mpg due to warm up programming.

Maybe you could take the car for a 25-30 mile drive on the highway, after warm up, to see what kind of mpg you see?

 

My gut feeling is that something isn't quite right with your car, but not being there makes it difficult to make an accurate assessment.

On my gas gauge, I usually hit 140 miles and still have 8-9 blips showing. Then somewhere around 210-230 miles at the half tank mark.

Are you typically putting in 7-8 gallons when you refill?

 

I am totally unfamiliar with that app. I googled it but didn't see anything about it being able to read hybrid codes.

Just to clarify, you only have the check engine light? No triangle?

 

Has your mechanic checked for fuel leaks? I can't imagine any prius, anywhere, under any condition that would burn 7.x gallons in 140 miles without having some significant codes being thrown. UNLESS, there is a pinhole leak in a fuel line. What does your MFD show for mpg calculations while driving?

 

Unfortunately, I also have an iPhone. I acquired a Galaxy S5 that I use exclusively for my Prius apps.

You can purchase a mini-vci cable on ebay that connects your laptop/computer to the obd port . It will come with a disk to put software (techstream) on your computer to allow communicating with the car. Typically around $40. Some versions are for 32 bit computers, some also work on 64 bit/windows 10.

 

An android phone with Hybrid Assistant/Hybrid Reporter apps can be used to load test the HV battery using the air conditioning compressor or by using "reverse" on the transaxle.

There are many many apps available for android phones to work with Prii. Androids are cheap on ebay.

 

yes, you will still need the OBD bluetooth adapter. The one you currently have may be good enough. Some apps have recommended adapters, but most will work.

I use an OBD Link LX, mostly because that's what was recommended by the app designer

 

May I suggest that you reset the mpg indicator on the MFD. Then take a long drive of at least 100 miles round trip on relatively flat terrain, going at speeds of 50 - 70 mph, and see what mpg is registered by the MFD. Report that finding.

You cannot expect to log very good mpg if you drive 3 miles at a time. Also, it was not helpful that you had one loose spark plug.

Back to your post #7 and the DTC associated with the fuel tank, that is a repair that eventually should occur if you need to pass emissions control testing. Do you actually smell gasoline vapor either in the car or as you walk around the car?

 

#1 reason for poor mileage is an aged hybrid battery. At your mileage its a given. think your seeing the first signs of hybrid battery death. Your ELM will not decode hybrid battery codes.

Cheapest and easiest OBD right now is the VXDIAG on Amazon for $77. You want the one with Toyota Techstream V10. $77.

USB plugs into a laptop.

 

anyone wishing to help the o/p would do well to read through past threads for a more complete picture of the situation.