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Check Engine Light

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by drummerJ99, Sep 13, 2015.

  1. drummerJ99

    drummerJ99 Junior Member

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    I just had my hybrid battery replaced this weekend for the 2nd time in my 06. Drove it home, was about a hour drive and everything is going good. Well go to drove it this morning and check engine light is on. Do you guys think it has anything to do with hybrid battery chance?

    On a side a note, anybody recommend good prius code reader? Or even one that works with a android phone? Need to start checking this stuff myself. Lol

    Note 4 ?
     
    #1 drummerJ99, Sep 13, 2015
  2. jadziasman

    jadziasman Prius owner emeritus

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    The check engine light is used to alert the driver about emissions related faults which indicates there is an issue with the ICE
    that is taking a sensor out of its acceptable range.

    You can download the Torque app for android to scan the codes and get a bluetooth adapter
    to plug into your OBDII port underneath the dash below the steering wheel

    Two traction batteries? Wow. How many miles are on your 06?
     
    #2 jadziasman, Sep 13, 2015
  3. drummerJ99

    drummerJ99 Junior Member

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    No don't have a code scanner. Need to buy one.

    And I have 160,000 miles on prius. Original battery went out in 2013 and believe I had 120,000 miles then. And 2nd hybrid battery (which was a refurbished from AutoBeYours in scottsburgh, IN) lasted this about 2 months ago. Got another refurbished one from him this past weekend.

    Note 4 ?
     
    #3 drummerJ99, Sep 13, 2015
  4. jadziasman

    jadziasman Prius owner emeritus

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    Your Prius seems to be snake bitten. I suppose I've been very fortunate to be on the original traction
    battery with 240K miles on my 05.

    You can go to Autozone or Advance Auto right now if there is one nearby you so you don't have to wait
    to find out what the code is.
     
    #4 jadziasman, Sep 13, 2015
  5. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    The check engine light being on is unrelated to the traction battery.

    Get Mini VCI.
     
    #5 Patrick Wong, Sep 13, 2015
  6. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

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    Given the miles on the car its highly likely the engine is using oil. Your probably extremely low on engine oil.
     
    #6 edthefox5, Sep 14, 2015
  7. drummerJ99

    drummerJ99 Junior Member

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    Ok. Ill check that today. Would have thought that would have been the oil light. But could be wrong.

    Note 4 ?
     
    #7 drummerJ99, Sep 14, 2015
  8. 69shovlhed

    69shovlhed Surly tree hugger

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    doesn't have an oil light. you must check oil level regularly.
     
    #8 69shovlhed, Sep 14, 2015
  9. drummerJ99

    drummerJ99 Junior Member

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    I meant the oil pressure light. I checked it about a day or two before hybrid battery went out again. But it did sit about a month before I was able to get battery replaced. So all check it again. Need to just keep a quart in the car at all times.

    Note 4 ?
     
    #9 drummerJ99, Sep 14, 2015
  10. drummerJ99

    drummerJ99 Junior Member

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    Checked oil, it was good. So ran by advanced auto and had them read the codes. Said Catalyst Sensor fell below acceptable level. Can somebody tell me what that is? How much it should cost to get fixed and can I fix it myself?

    Note 4 ?
     
    #10 drummerJ99, Sep 15, 2015
  11. valde3

    valde3 Senior Member

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    Did you get the actual code? Actual code and even watching life date from computer would be good to confirm that the problem really is in the sensor. Catalyst sensor is O2 sensor after the catalytic converter it’s also called rear O2 sensor.
     
    #11 valde3, Sep 15, 2015
  12. drummerJ99

    drummerJ99 Junior Member

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    No, unfortunately didn't get the actual code. :( I was just released when I was told it was a sensor and didn't really think about getting actual code number.

    I need to just bite the bullet and get a decent code reader.

    Note 4 ?
     
    #12 drummerJ99, Sep 15, 2015
  13. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    Mini VCI would be your best choice.

    If in fact the rear O2 sensor failed, that would probably cost around $400 to replace at the dealer. If you have the correct tools and can get under the car, you could replace the sensor yourself, perhaps $150 or so.

    If the catalytic converter had failed, that would be a four-digit repair at the dealer installing the correct Toyota part. Alternatively you could have an aftermarket cc installed for a three-digit price.
     
    #13 Patrick Wong, Sep 15, 2015
  14. drummerJ99

    drummerJ99 Junior Member

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    Ok. New big question is....are either of those high priority fixes? Not saying I won't fix them but is the car still drivable way it is. Is there any chance of me damaging anything driving it? Its just after dumping another $1200 for another hybrid battery, funds are kinda tight.

    Note 4 ?
     
    #14 drummerJ99, Sep 15, 2015
  15. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    The only concern is that with potentially impaired emissions control equipment, you are potentially polluting the local air more than might otherwise be necessary.
     
    #15 Patrick Wong, Sep 15, 2015
  16. valde3

    valde3 Senior Member

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    Main disadvantage that those problems generate is that the Check engine light is on. If your Prius develops some other problem that would light it up you don’t know it since the light is already on.

    If the problem is with rear O2 sensor it really won’t cause any other problems. Theoretically it may make it bit harder for ECU to detect other possible faults.

    If it is the catalytic converter then it will increase emissions a bit. And in the long run catalytic converter can start to get clocked which will increase fuel consumption and decrease performance
     
    #16 valde3, Sep 16, 2015
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