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Have a 2011 Prius with 5000 miles.

Discussion in 'Newbie Forum' started by sjohn1, Jun 22, 2012.

  1. sjohn1

    sjohn1 Junior Member

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    Twice in the last week the car has lost power without warning. First time it took several tries to get the accelerator to respond. The dealership can find nothing wrong. Has this happened to others? Any ideas as to cause.
     
    #1 sjohn1, Jun 22, 2012
  2. spiderman

    spiderman wretched

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    Welcome aboard! Sorry to hear the problems. Could you further explain "accelerator to respond"?

    There have been people that have accidentally hit the Park button and or hit Neutral by striking the stick shifter (for a second or two). In both cases, the car goes into Neutral and will coast.

    When it "lost power", was it still in Ready mode?
     
    #2 spiderman, Jun 22, 2012
  3. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    Were you driving on a slick surface?
     
    #3 F8L, Jun 22, 2012
  4. sjohn1

    sjohn1 Junior Member

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    #4 sjohn1, Jun 22, 2012
  5. sjohn1

    sjohn1 Junior Member

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    The car suddenly begin to slow down. The accelerator did not respond to pressure as if it were in neutral. It was in the Ready mode. The first time, I suppose there is a slight possibility that I might have accidentally hit the stick shift. The second time, I know I did not.
     
    #5 sjohn1, Jun 22, 2012
  6. sjohn1

    sjohn1 Junior Member

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    It was a dry surface
     
    #6 sjohn1, Jun 22, 2012
  7. spiderman

    spiderman wretched

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    The accelerator will not respond if in neutral. At most you will get it to rev to about 1100 rpms and that is it. The only reason it does that is for service personnel running tests.

    So the second time,,, you were positive it was still in Drive and it was in Ready mode?
     
    #7 spiderman, Jun 22, 2012
  8. sjohn1

    sjohn1 Junior Member

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    #8 sjohn1, Jun 23, 2012
  9. sjohn1

    sjohn1 Junior Member

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    I am sure the second time the car was in drive and was in ready mode. I know I did not touch the gear shit. However, I am sure that is what the dealer thinks I did.
     
    #9 sjohn1, Jun 23, 2012
  10. spiderman

    spiderman wretched

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    Good thing you didn't touch that. :)

    Node yellow triangle/codes? If not, this will be a really hard one to track down.
     
    #10 spiderman, Jun 23, 2012
  11. sjohn1

    sjohn1 Junior Member

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    Thanks for your input. We are in a wait and see mode.
     
    #11 sjohn1, Jun 24, 2012
  12. Jason dinAlt

    Jason dinAlt Member

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    Overheating causing shutdown?
    Anything blocking traction battery vent?
     
    #12 Jason dinAlt, Jun 24, 2012
  13. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    what do you mean by 'the first time, it took several tries to get the accellerator to respond'. you mean you pumped it a few times and then the car started to accellerate again? and what exactly happened the second time?
     
    #13 bisco, Jun 24, 2012
  14. sjohn1

    sjohn1 Junior Member

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    I turned the engine off then restarted it. When I put it in gear the parking light did not go off and the accelerator did not respond. After several tries, the parking light went off and the accelerator responded. Sorry to take so long to get back to you. Thanks for responding to my post.
     
    #14 sjohn1, Jul 2, 2012
  15. sjohn1

    sjohn1 Junior Member

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    Well, Ive had it into Toyota service twice and nothing was said about the possibility of overheating or the battery vent.
     
    #15 sjohn1, Jul 2, 2012
  16. JimN

    JimN Let the games begin!

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    "When I put it in gear the parking light did not go off and the accelerator did not respond. After several tries, the parking light went off and the accelerator responded."​

    ​
    This sounds like a switch/contact problem. It also appears to be random so unless it happens when you are on a test drive it's going to be tough to get the dealer to believe you.

    I'd try pressing for a shifter replacement, starting with, "What happens if the shifter doesn't make or maintain a good contact?"
     
    #16 JimN, Jul 2, 2012
  17. JimN

    JimN Let the games begin!

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    The next time it happens, if you can, don't futz with it. Call SC & have them send someone out to either look at it or pick the car up.
     
    #17 JimN, Jul 2, 2012
  18. cwerdna

    cwerdna Senior Member

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    What do you mean by "parking light"?

    Was your foot on the brake when trying to accelerate? Do you drive with both feet?

    BTW, it'd help to title your post better...
     
    #18 cwerdna, Jul 2, 2012
  19. richard schumacher

    richard schumacher shortbus driver

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    "SC"?

    Shifter sounds like the most likely problem.
     
    #19 richard schumacher, Jul 4, 2012
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