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1st time problem: Engine would not shut off!

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by local_host, Dec 16, 2007.

  1. local_host

    local_host New Member

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    Have a brand new '07 Prius: This afternoon I went to move my car onto the street and waited for the engine to shut off then go into 'stealth' mode. It never did. I even drove up and down the street for a minute just to see if that might do anything. I sat in the car and waited for about 5 more minutes, still didn't shut off. The Energy Monitor didn't even show and activity and the heater/AC was not turned on.

    Anyone else ever have this problem? I hope it's not a sign of things to come. When I turn on/off the car I notice that the 'maintenance required' light briefly flashes, then goes off, as the engine starts. I actually can't remember if this happens all the time, because most of the dash lights briefly light up as the car first turns on.
     
    #1 local_host, Dec 16, 2007
  2. TonyPSchaefer

    TonyPSchaefer Your Friendly Moderator
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    First of all, the MAINT REQRD light flashing is an indication that it has been 4,500 miles since your last oil change (or at least since the light was reset). Give it time and the light will stay on rather than blink.

    Is there any particular reason that you were waiting for the engine to shut off? It sounds like you spent about ten minutes just sitting in an idling car. It sounds as though you had just started the car as opposed to having just driving for a while. If this is the case, you need to understand that the engine will run until it is warm enough to shut down. That can take some time. Since you do not have your location entered, we don't know what the ambient temperature was at the time.
     
    #2 TonyPSchaefer, Dec 16, 2007
  3. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
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    Tony's beating around the bush, but the answer is that it was cold...even though you didn't say where you're located or what the temp was I'm quite confident of that.
    Most likely the battery was very cold and when that's the case the ICE will often continue to run.
    The only other possibility that comes to mind is that you may have been in B or N...in those cases the ICE won't shut down. But I'm sure it's b/c the car was very cold.
     
    #3 efusco, Dec 16, 2007
  4. Neicy

    Neicy Member

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    The engine, when cold, will run until it is warm and comfy. This is the reason a lot of us block the grill and use an engine block heater (EBH) during the winter.

    The Maint. Required Light flashes briefly once every time you start up along with other lights in that area to show they are working properly. When you get close to 5000 miles since the last reset it will flash slowly for a minute or two indicating will you need an oil change soon. When you reach 5000 miles since the last reset the light will remain on until it is reset again when the oil is changed. This is what I have experienced.

    BTW Congrats on your new car. It is an amazing vehicle and if you look and listen too closely it's easy to think there's something "not right" with it when you first get it because it is so different than your standard gas-only engine.
     
    #4 Neicy, Dec 16, 2007
  5. local_host

    local_host New Member

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    WOW, thanks for the quick replies... I'm in TX and we did just have a major cold front arrive so I think the engine being cold probably explains it. I just can't recall that it ever happened before and was a bit alarmed. Also seeing the maintenance light flash on enforced my worry, since I'm not near 20,000 just yet (15k+ since Jan. yup I travel ALOT;-)).

    By the way, I was waiting for the engine to shut off because normally it would after the amount of time I was in the car- but it didn't. Which gave rise to me thinking there was something "wrong". I'm kind of OCD and wanted to make sure everything was working properly so I tried to wait for it to shut off and wanted to see how long it would take.

    Funny thing is, I turned off the car, then back on, and the engine shut off after the "normal" period of time. It's like the computer needed to reboot.
     
    #5 local_host, Dec 17, 2007
  6. richard schumacher

    richard schumacher shortbus driver

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    Well, duh: you had just spent ten minutes warming it up.

    Go, and sin no more :_>
     
    #6 richard schumacher, Dec 17, 2007
  7. GigaTigga

    GigaTigga New Member

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    I'm new to the prius bunch, but i know when its chilly out my prius doesn't shut off for near 20 minutes (~20F). I got mine a few days before winter hit, so i know i can get better mileage than i currently am, but i give up a few MPG to not freeze my tail off on the drive to work!
     
    #7 GigaTigga, Dec 17, 2007
  8. siliconhybrid

    siliconhybrid Member

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    correct me if i am wrong.

    I believe by turning on the heater, the engine will have also turn on, not all the time, but most of the time, especially in winter cold season.

    question is, when you were idle for 5 or 10 mins, did you turn on the heater too?
     
    #8 siliconhybrid, Dec 17, 2007
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