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Stalling everyday- coolant, pump, overheating or computer system? Please help! New to forum

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by Bp4999, Jul 16, 2022.

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  1. Bp4999

    Bp4999 New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 16, 2022
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    Location:
    Raleigh, NC
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius
    Model:
    V
    Hi everyone,
    This is what's going on:

    For the last week my 2013 Prius V has been stalling on me multiple times. The check engine light along with the hybrid system light are the consistent lights that come on every time. Sometimes, the coolant overheating light comes on or the overheating sensor. And twice, other random lights flash (brake lights, break fluid, etc.) Every time this happens, I turn off the car for 10-15 minutes and it runs fine, and within the next hour or so all lights turn off (hybrid system and check engine) and the car is seemingly fine until the next day and the process starts over again.

    I checked my fluid levels and realized my coolant was down to very little and I filled it back up thinking that was the problem - then, it happened again and again and again. I brought it into the mechanic and he ran the codes and two popped up, one to replace the water pump and one (I forgot exactly the kind) but basically alluding to an issue with the computer system. He checked the recall, and my car isn't part of that and he checked my fluids and did a safety check, did an oil change and reset the computer system hoping that that would take care of it. He said the coolant pump was running and there was a flow and didn't seem to be a problem at all. So, that was yesterday and today I took a drive on the highway and it happened again. First the coolant overheating light came on then the cheek engine light and then the hybrid system light. I turned it off for 15 minutes like I usually do, except this time the car stopped and started when trying to accelerate. I was able to get it running after another 10 minutes of it off and then got about 3 miles and the lights flashed again along with the brake fluid light and brake light and for the first time it didn't just slow down, it stopped. I shut it off again and then turned it back on and is now parked with only the check engine light on.

    My question is - has anyone dealt with this? What the heck is going on? All the fluid levels are fine, there's no leaks, no smoke, no smell, no noises...etc. also, what should I do? And what do you think it could be? I'm so confused by this. I saw somewhere mention resetting the code itself, but I'm not sure.

    Thank you in advance so much.
     
    #1 Bp4999, Jul 16, 2022
  2. HandyMandy

    HandyMandy New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 29, 2022
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    Location:
    Sacramento
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
     
    #2 HandyMandy, Jul 29, 2022
  3. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    54,703
    38,239
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    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    How many miles on it: The engine coolant pump (aka water pump) is electrically driven with a plastic impeller, and the consensus here is that they are failure prone, best to preemptively replace by 150K miles.

    Also: has the Exhaust Gas Recirculation system (including intake manifold) every been cleaned?
     
    #3 Mendel Leisk, Jul 29, 2022
    Raygon likes this.
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
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    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    please ask the mech for the codes, and is he using a prius aware scanner? model would be helpful.

    how many miles on her? low coolant is not a good sign, i hope it isn't the head gasket
     
    #4 bisco, Jul 29, 2022
  5. HandyMandy

    HandyMandy New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 29, 2022
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    Location:
    Sacramento
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    I’ve been experiencing the same thing in my 2010 Prius. I thought a whole list of codes would pop up. Especially, with such a wide range of random warning lights illuminating. Surprisingly, it only showed one code (p261b).

    In addition to The issues you’ve listed, my coolant reservoir is rapidly losing coolant. I refill it to “full“, and all but about 1” of fluid, just disappears.

    So many symptoms. Each one with multiple possible causes. Even as it relates to the code itself, multiple possibilities. Process of elimination could potentially be a costly path of unnecessary
    Repairs, which I’d like to avoid. No idea where to start.

    I realize this isn’t helpful for you. I apologize. Unfortunately, I can’t offer you a solution. Just thought I’d share my similar experience
     
    #5 HandyMandy, Jul 29, 2022
  6. 2010moneypit?

    2010moneypit? Active Member

    Joined:
    Oct 26, 2021
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    Location:
    Beaumont ca
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    V
    Unfortunately with generation three Prius misfire and loss of coolant usually leads to a diagnostics of head gasket. The next step that I would take would be to remove the spark plugs and check the Pistons with a borescope. If one or more cylinders is super clean do you have a coolant leak into the combustion chamber.
     
    #6 2010moneypit?, Jul 31, 2022
    Raygon likes this.
  7. 2010moneypit?

    2010moneypit? Active Member

    Joined:
    Oct 26, 2021
    314
    122
    0
    Location:
    Beaumont ca
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    V
    Unfortunately with generation three Prius misfire and loss of coolant usually leads to a diagnostics of head gasket. The next step that I would take would be to remove the spark plugs and check the Pistons with a borescope. If one or more cylinders is super clean do you have a coolant leak into the combustion chamber.
     
    #7 2010moneypit?, Jul 31, 2022
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