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2001 no reverse

Discussion in 'Generation 1 Prius Discussion' started by Mesuec1, Dec 21, 2011.

  1. Mesuec1

    Mesuec1 New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 24, 2011
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    Location:
    Otis, Oregon
    Vehicle:
    2001 Prius
    Model:
    I
    My 2001 Prius has 77K. It has done warning lights before and always been a gas cap that was not tightened or a mis-fire code three times since I bought it last spring. It has been driven very little since Thanksgiving when I was rear-ended and my Camry was totalled. It coughed a little when I started it, but had no problem driving the first 40 miles. I stopped for about 5 minutes to stretch. When I tried to start it to continue to work, all the warning lights came on and it died. I tightened the gas cap and restarted the car to have it die 2 more times. Third time it stayed on and I was planning on limping two blocks to AutoZone to have the codes read, when it rolled to a stop. No forward, no reverse. By the time the tow arrived, it would go forward. The codes were P3101 and 12689.
     
  2. 3prongpaul

    3prongpaul Hybrid Shop Owner, worked on 100's of Prius's

    Joined:
    Jul 18, 2010
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    Location:
    Boulder Hybids, Boulder, CO
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Reverse is 100% electric in a Prius.

    P3101 is usually related to dirty throttle body or too much oil put in engine.

    You need to read all codes with a reader than can read INF (subcodes) as well. Autozone scanners are not that great for diagnosing Prius.
     
  3. Mesuec1

    Mesuec1 New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 24, 2011
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    Location:
    Otis, Oregon
    Vehicle:
    2001 Prius
    Model:
    I
    It has given me the too much oil in the engine code before: usually after I had gone over some bumps then parked on a hill. When the oil level was checked, it was not to the max line. The closest Toyota dealer/repair shop it not the greatest. (They advised me to go elsewhere when I wanted to have cruise added when I was having recall work done.) Their best guy has been out. Guess I will just wait. Thanks.
     
  4. seilerts

    seilerts Battery Curmudgeon

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    Location:
    Santa Fe, NM
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    How handy are you with cars? This is not really a hybrid issue, it is a lot like having a sticky choke on a carbureted vehicle. Pull the plastic air intake and take a look at the throttle plate. It should be open just a crack.
     
  5. RW5207

    RW5207 Junior Member

    Joined:
    May 6, 2006
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    Location:
    Dallas, TX
    Vehicle:
    2002 Prius
    Model:
    I
    I'm betting if you haven't replaced your traction battery that is ultimately going to be the culprit. I had all sorts of issues on my 2002 (112K miles) and ultimately replaced the inverter (per the codes) with a salvage one and still got the triangle of death. Only after replacing the traction battery with a rebuilt re-Involt battery have my issues gone away (fingers are crossed).