Hit and Run + P0031 Code? Coincidence?

I don't have an answer to your question but just wanted to say sorry that happened to you! I hope you are able to get this fixed without trouble.

 

Sorry about the collision. I can't think or any reason the damage you describe should cause that code. But strange things happen so I would wait a few days and put some miles on it before I accepted the insurance settlement.

There have been quite a few posters who used body shops other than Toyota with no problems, I would not hesitate to use one I trusted. Be sure they include a 4 wheel alignment as part of the estimate, just in case.

Good luck and I hope they catch the guy who ran into you.

EDIT: Check Causes on this page. Could there have been some kind of wiring damage? I would mention it to the body shop and have them check.
http://www.obd-codes.com/p0031

 

You were hit at 60 mph yet the car is driveable?

If you were hit at that speed surely it would have spun you out of similar? The CEL could be a loose wire caused by the accident. It could be worse than that - the accident might have cracked the exhaust pipe allowing more oxygen into the system causing the CEL to light. Or maybe the catalyst was damaged internally in the collision causing reduced emission control?

I think you need it checking out as if the exhaust system on a Prius is expensive to replace.

 

From the description of the damage done, it sounds like your Prius was hit/side- swiped on the driver's side by another vehicle attempting to merge into your lane (with you there) from the left hand lane. You are lucky that your driver's side air bag didnot deploy.

Did you check your front wheel alignment for damage? That is
if you are driving on a flat straight superhighway segment with
your steering wheel straight does the Prius veer to the right or left
at high speeds?

It's sounds unlikely that the DTC P0031 code[1] (which monitors sensors that help control the temperature of the air-fuel mixtures going into the gasoline engine) could have been caused by the accident. From your description it sounds like a minor spurious electrical signal. However, if it does reappear later - you should get a mechanic to check things out for you.

====

[1] P0031=Oxygen(A/F) Sensor Heater Control Circuit Low (Bank 1 Sensor 1); Trouble Area: * Open in air fuel ratio sensor (sensor 1) heater circuit* OR * Air Fuel ratio sensor heater (sensor 1)* OR *ECM* trouble code stored.

 

I really suspect the impact knocked or cracked something. At 40k, your O2 sensors shouldn't trigger the CEL. On my 98 Nissan 200SX, the CEL was triggered by the O2 sensors @ 135k miles. Turns out that there was a crack on the pre cat converter that was apparently caused by running something over on the freeway.

The other driver intentionally sideswiped you and ran? I admit, I'm the dumb type that would've chased after him even if I were a witness.

 

I really feel bad for you. That kind of intentional nastiness by the other driver is disgusting.

I hope you can get it all back to the way it was.