2014 Prius: Check Hybrid System + P2118 after sitting a month

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by mbolzies, Jan 10, 2021.

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  1. mbolzies

    mbolzies Junior Member

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    Hi All: I'm in a bind and would appreciate any advice! I have a 2014 Prius that sat for the month of December because I was out of town. When I tired to start it last week, I got the "Check Hybrid System" error on the display. It tries to start but immediately shuts off. The only error code on the reader is P2118.

    Here's what I've done so far:
    • I tested and charged the 12V battery in the back: I charged with a maintainer and an O'Reilly's test showed it was a good battery. Doors unlock fine, display powers up, so I'm assuming this battery is not the issue.
    • I tried jump starting it with another vehicle to no avail.
    • I "checked" the ETCS fuse (#18 on my model diagram) in the engine compartment and it seems fine. Meaning it doesn't look blown, so I'm also assuming it is fine. I will check it with a multimeter tomorrow to verify.
    Any thoughts on next steps? For obvious reasons, I would love to avoid towing it to a dealership if possible. Photos of the error code and display error are attached.
     

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    #1 mbolzies, Jan 10, 2021
  2. mbolzies

    mbolzies Junior Member

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    Update: I verified that the ETCS fuse is okay. So it isn't that.
     
    #2 mbolzies, Jan 10, 2021
  3. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    try a jump start, just to be sure. prius batteries and computers can be funny.

    does the dome light work?
     
    #3 bisco, Jan 11, 2021
  4. mbolzies

    mbolzies Junior Member

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    Yes, the dome light works, along with all the electronics. 12V is fully charged. I just tried jumping it again, and no, it is not starting.
     
    #4 mbolzies, Jan 11, 2021
  5. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    make sure there are 12 volts at the jump point under the hood
     
    #5 bisco, Jan 12, 2021
  6. cnc97

    cnc97 Senior Member

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    If the fuse for the throttle actuator is ok, then I would suggest unplugging the connector to it, and see if the motor will start and idle. If so, the throttle control motor may have failed.
     
    #6 cnc97, Jan 12, 2021
  7. mbolzies

    mbolzies Junior Member

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    There are.

    Where would I locate the connector to the throttle body? I'll try this next.
     
    #7 mbolzies, Jan 14, 2021
    Last edited by a moderator: Jan 14, 2021
  8. cnc97

    cnc97 Senior Member

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    It’s a long grey or black 6 wire connector on the front of the throttle body.
     
    #8 cnc97, Jan 14, 2021
  9. mbolzies

    mbolzies Junior Member

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    It did not start or idle when unplugging the throttle body.
     
    #9 mbolzies, Jan 16, 2021
  10. mbolzies

    mbolzies Junior Member

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    Update: After thoroughly cleaning throttle body, I tried starting it again without success. Additional codes showed up after the last attempt:
    Engine Codes: P0121, P0123, P2118, and P2135. Also battery code: P0A0F.

    Given these codes, I'm thinking I need to replace the throttle body entirely. How manageable is that to DIY? Anyone done this before? Anyone think I should try something else first?

    Also: I've heard the gas indicator could have been wrong (it has two bars), and it could be out of gas. So putting some additional gas into the tank may be helpful if the car was sitting for a month. Worth a shot, but doubt this will help.
     
    #10 mbolzies, Jan 16, 2021
  11. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    One belated question: were you using the seven pages of P2118 workup steps in the repair manual to find out why you have that code and what's causing it and how to fix that, or have you just been relying on the seven-word fortune cookie shown on the screen of your code reader and trying to guess the rest?

    The additional codes shown in your last read would all be expected if you had made a start attempt with the throttle body unplugged. (They're essentially the ECM saying "hey, where'd the throttle body go?".)
     
    #11 ChapmanF, Jan 16, 2021
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  12. mbolzies

    mbolzies Junior Member

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    I've definitely been relying on the fortune cookie approach. :(

    This is very helpful. Yes, that's exactly what I did. So I'm glad to know I didn't screw something terribly up when cleaning the throttle body.

    I found the 7 pages in the repair manual, but they all require the Techstream equipment, which I don't have unfortunately.
     
    #12 mbolzies, Jan 16, 2021
    Last edited: Jan 16, 2021
  13. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk MMX GEN III

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    It's easy, 2 bolts and 2 nuts secure it. You need to disconnect a wire harness and two coolant lines (maybe pull them off and quickly stopper? Or use hose clamps?). Torque values in the attached. 7 foot/pounds is quite low; I'd advise to use an inch-pound torque wrench, typically they're 1/4" drive. Don't forget to convert foot/pounds to inch/pounds you multiply by 12.
     

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    #13 Mendel Leisk, Jan 16, 2021
  14. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    The challenge in that case is to study the procedures given in the manual, figure out what the possible underlying conditions are that they are having you test, and devise your own means of testing the same things without Techstream. It looks like a lot of what they are having you test could be checked with a multimeter and backprobes.

    I would definitely encourage doing that, before just replacing the throttle body because it's the part whose name is mentioned in the fortune cookie. (For that matter, just going by what the P2118 code means, how likely do you think it could be that the throttle body is the problem?)
     
    #14 ChapmanF, Jan 16, 2021
  15. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk MMX GEN III

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    Has the throttle body been cleaned? You can unbolt and lift it off (ok to leave coolant lines attached), clean it from both sides with a shop towel wetted with carb cleaner. Get what you can reach in the intake manifold “sump” while you’re there.

    For access, what you need to remove, watch @NutzAboutBolts Exhaust Gas Recirculation pipe cleaning video; it’s linked in pinned thread in 3rd gen maintenance forum, #16:

    Nutz About Bolts Prius Maintenance Videos | PriusChat
     
    #15 Mendel Leisk, Jan 16, 2021
    Last edited: Jan 16, 2021
  16. mbolzies

    mbolzies Junior Member

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    Thanks! Yes— I was able to clean the throttle body effectively, and I also "sumped" what I could. Unfortunately, it still did not start.
     
    #16 mbolzies, Jan 16, 2021
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  17. mbolzies

    mbolzies Junior Member

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    Thanks, hopefully it will not come to this.
     
    #17 mbolzies, Jan 16, 2021
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  18. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    Hey, the OP has a trouble code that refers to the power supply from the 12 volt system to the +BM terminal of the ECM or the grounding at the E1 or ME01 terminals, not to anything downstream of the ECM like the throttle body. Let's not give the OP busywork.
     
    #18 ChapmanF, Jan 16, 2021
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  19. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

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    I will use this quote to rely back anyone randomly goes like “you want to look into cleaning the egr and manifold also.”
     
    #19 Grit, Jan 16, 2021
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  20. mbolzies

    mbolzies Junior Member

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    After attempting a number of remedies, it is still not starting. I obviously want to avoid draining the hybrid battery further, so my options are limited at this point. Short of replacing the throttle body and praying, I think I may have to just give up and tow it to the dealer, which is the last thing I want to do. Any final advice?
     

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    #20 mbolzies, Jan 22, 2021
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