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hybrid system malfunction. engine not kick in

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Technical Discussion' started by hc167, Jul 20, 2008.

  1. hc167

    hc167 Member

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    I have a problem with my 2005 prius with about 64000 miles on it. It has check engine light on today with the red triangle today. Because I only drive for short distance today (about 4 miles). So I ignore it and try to worry about it tomorrow. Then on my way back to home. Another light beside the check engine come on and the car run in full electrical mode (engine is not on at all). So I park on the side of the street and call someone to tow my car to the dealer. because today is sunday. I am not sure I can park my car in the dealership overnight. anyway. I stop the car and start again few time and hit the gas. but no luck. the engine is still not on. Then the fourth time I re-start the car. the light on the side of the check engine light is gone and the engine is kicking in again. Well. at least I can drive home today. anyone know what will cause this problem?
     
    #1 hc167, Jul 20, 2008
  2. prius729

    prius729 New Member

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    How much gas do you have in the car?
     
    #2 prius729, Jul 20, 2008
  3. hc167

    hc167 Member

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    3 out of 10 bars. is that matter? do you mean low gas will make the check engine light come on?
     
    #3 hc167, Jul 20, 2008
  4. donee

    donee New Member

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    Hi hc...,,

    Could be lots of things. Two common ones are bad gas, and the throttle body mechanism is sticking and needs to be cleaned.
     
    #4 donee, Jul 21, 2008
  5. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

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    Not low, but no. Running out of gas will do it.

    Tom
     
    #5 qbee42, Jul 21, 2008
  6. prius729

    prius729 New Member

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    no, but from the previous posts I read here on PC your problem seems similar to others running out of gas.
     
    #6 prius729, Jul 21, 2008
  7. Genoz World

    Genoz World ZEN-style living

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    HEY!!!!!!!!!!! wait a minute! i was always an avid poster about NOT running out of gas, but this thread is a bit concerning................THREE PIPS LEFT AND HC167 ran out of gas??????

    let me clarify my question/comment.................CAN YOU BE OUT OF GAS AT 3 PIPS?
    2 PIPS? IS THIS A POSSIBILITY?
     
    #7 Genoz World, Jul 21, 2008
  8. hc167

    hc167 Member

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    I do not think the problem is out of gas. because the ICE can be kicked in again today and last night. anyway, it is at the dealership and I should know soon.
     
    #8 hc167, Jul 21, 2008
  9. hc167

    hc167 Member

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    just back from dealership. they said there are about 9 codes plus 6 penging codes. two codes for battery, 1 for ABS. 1 for AC, ....... doesn't matter anymore. this is unusual. and the dealer said the same too. so what they do is they clear all the codes and do a 10 mins test drive. and the codes did not come back. they have no idea why. I just drove about 30 mins (30 miles too since I was driving 60mhp on highway) my car seem to be ok. is it a bug in prius computer system????? anyone??
     
    #9 hc167, Jul 21, 2008
  10. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

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    We need the codes. An intermittent problem could cause a lot of codes and clearing them without recording them, leaves us blind to potential problems.

    Bob Wilson
     
    #10 bwilson4web, Jul 21, 2008
  11. hc167

    hc167 Member

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    hi bwilson4web:

    I agree with what you said. but why is unrelated codes appeared at the same time? for example, why is there a keyless entry code there? anyway, I understand your point. but I believe if there is a problem, then the code will come up again. I will buy a scanner and do it myself. I generally do not 100% believe those dealer. especially when they hire those young guys to work on my car. And I do think that toyota is a good car with good hardware. I just don't trust on their software.

    anyway, maybe I should mention one more thing, that check engine light came on when I reset the service maintenance light without changing oil two days ago. I did that because my last oil change I used mobile 1 and the condition of the oil is still good. Please don't tell me that this will bring up the check engine light.
     
    #11 hc167, Jul 22, 2008
  12. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    Without knowing what the DTC are, how can you assert they are unrelated? For example, a problem with the DC to DC converter could cause the voltage on the 12V bus to sag. This would cause DTC to be logged by various ECUs which might not appear to be directly related to each other.

    If the check engine light is coming on, then the engine ECU is logging DTC. However, without a list of the DTC, it is hard to say whether your problem is as simple as a loose gas cap, or an ignition misfire, or a bad catalytic converter, or failed variable intake valve timing, or a bad engine coolant heat recovery system, or ??

    Hence, it would be wise to ask your dealer tech to carefully record all retrieved DTC and enter them upon your service invoice, so that you have a record for future reference.

    You can buy an OBD-II code reader. I suggest that you ensure that it is compatible with the Toyota communications protocol. Even if compatible, it may or may not pick up the DTC logged by the various Prius ECUs.
     
    #12 Patrick Wong, Jul 22, 2008
  13. richard schumacher

    richard schumacher shortbus driver

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    Or even as simple as the 12V battery being low. Is this the original 12V battery? Have you ever drained the 12V battery by leaving a door or the hatch open, or the lights on?
     
    #13 richard schumacher, Jul 22, 2008
  14. hc167

    hc167 Member

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    I have never drained the battery. but the dealership that I purchased did. This is the car that I purchased used last year. and when I tested drive the car, they actually needed to jump start the car. anyway, I will need a scanner with me. I do not really trust the dealer. Not that because they do not have the knowledge. but they never want to do a good job on my car (I should say anyone's car). and for a small problem. they keep telling you that this entire thing need to be replaced. I will ask my friend about my car check engine light issue. he can access alldata. So maybe I can find some information there. yes, you are all correct. they maybe related issue.
     
    #14 hc167, Jul 22, 2008
  15. hc167

    hc167 Member

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    yes, it is the original battery
     
    #15 hc167, Jul 22, 2008
  16. hc167

    hc167 Member

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    my check engine light is on again today and I sent it to dealer. They did a quick scan and only found one code this time. I did not ask them the code but they said it is the generator sensors. so they will need me to drop off the car for about one day.
     
    #16 hc167, Jul 23, 2008
  17. statultra

    statultra uber-Senior Member

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    if you buy a scanner make sure it supports CAN protocol.

    if anything happens again it should be covered under warranty instead of being erased by the dealer, if you send it back ask for a printout of the diagnostic check.
     
    #17 statultra, Jul 23, 2008
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