1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Check Engine Light

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by Perchja, Oct 8, 2013.

  1. Perchja

    Perchja Junior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 4, 2010
    5
    0
    0
    Location:
    Cleveland, Ohio
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    My check engine light went off last month and when I had it looked at my dealership they said it was due to the seal where the gas cap locks into I believe. Anyway, a week later my light went off again and now they are saying it is the charcoal cannister which I found out is very expensive. Here are my two questions. First of all, can I get this part replaced and installed at a non-dealership? My second question is since they reset my check engine light, it came back on a few days later for two days and then turned off completely. Should the light have turned off on its own? Should I be concerned that it is no longer on? It just makes me wonder if they diagnosed this issue correctly or not. If anyone has any thoughts on this, I would appreciate any comments.
     
    #1 Perchja, Oct 8, 2013
  2. spiderman

    spiderman wretched

    Joined:
    Jul 5, 2009
    7,543
    1,558
    0
    Location:
    Alaska
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II
    there are many reasons the cel can come on and some of those reason can fix themselves.
    it could be that leaving the cap unsecured caused problems w/ the canaster. you can get a second opinion.
     
    #2 spiderman, Oct 8, 2013
  3. jdk2

    jdk2 Active Member

    Joined:
    Mar 6, 2010
    751
    219
    0
    Location:
    Raleigh, NC
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Advanced
    I'm wondering if the OP is overfilling the tank, like trying to get as much gas in the filler neck as possible which is causing the issue with the cannister?
     
    #3 jdk2, Oct 8, 2013
  4. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 19, 2012
    7,869
    3,116
    0
    Location:
    Honolulu, HI
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    I am also thinking the OP is overfilling the tank by trying to squeeze in every last drop that will stay pooled in the filler neck. :eek:
     
    #4 xliderider, Oct 8, 2013
  5. Perchja

    Perchja Junior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 4, 2010
    5
    0
    0
    Location:
    Cleveland, Ohio
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    I actually never add to the tank. Once I am alerted that the tank is filled, I remove the gas dispenser right away. As I said, I didn't expect the check engine light to turn off the second time. I thought you had to intentionally reset it to off. But I am concerned now about the diagnosis they gave me and if the charcoal filter really is the problem since the dealership didn't make that diagnosis the first time.
     
    #5 Perchja, Oct 8, 2013
  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    108,695
    49,397
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    if the car is running okay, i would ignore it until a future problem. wouldn't hurt to have another dealer or a good shoppe look at it.
     
    #6 bisco, Oct 8, 2013
  7. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 19, 2012
    7,869
    3,116
    0
    Location:
    Honolulu, HI
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    Sometimes the CEL resets if the error condition goes away for a long enough period.

    SCH-I535
     
    #7 xliderider, Oct 9, 2013
  8. Perchja

    Perchja Junior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 4, 2010
    5
    0
    0
    Location:
    Cleveland, Ohio
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    Thanks that is good to know.
     
    #8 Perchja, Oct 9, 2013
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)