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Oil Spray = Dead Car / Wont Start. Help Troubleshooting

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by John Pinkertons, Jan 27, 2020.

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  1. John Pinkertons

    John Pinkertons New Member

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    Hey all,

    Longtime lurker, first time poster. Usually there's a thread for every common issue, this one... not so much.

    I was topping off my oil for my 06 Prius before we drove from Phoenix to CA. Usually I burn 1.5 qts for every 5k miles. However, due to negligence, I forgot to put the oil cap back on.

    Needless to say, I drove to CA, saw some oil dripping when I arrived, and found the cap lying in the hood. I put it back on, topped off with oil, and drove back. Everything was fine, just super messy.

    After starting / stopping the car a few more times when we got back to AZ, the car will not start. The 12v is fine, lights come on, beeps come on, ECU Skid unit makes it's normal sound when you put your foot on the brake. But the button will just not work. I tried cleaning the engine compartment and replacing the spark plugs (recommended in another oil spill thread) to no avail.


    I'm thinking something electrical had to have happened? I checked the fuses for the starter / ignition, and they are good. Could the oil have leaked on the Alternator or Starter? Just have no idea what to do at this moment.

    Any ideas of what to check / try would be appreciated!

    EDIT : I have had some combo meter issues in this car, maybe 1/5 starts. I also have a weird quirk where the car will NOT start with the key in the ignition, but only with the key in a pocket / drawer / nearby etc.
     
    #1 John Pinkertons, Jan 27, 2020
  2. SFO

    SFO Senior Member

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    Welcome to PriusChat!!

    Are there any warning lights on the dash, or codes stored in the ECUs?
     
    #2 SFO, Jan 27, 2020
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  3. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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    The Prius has no starter. It has no alternator.

    But, as @SFO mentioned, it might have trouble codes. If so, you should get some sort of light on the dash and you'll need a code reader that can read the Prius codes.

    One idea that just occurred to me was that the battery in your fob might be dead. But I wold think you'd be able to start the car with the fob in the slot if that was the case.

    You might have oil down in the sparkplug wells which would interfere with ignition. If so, that would throw a code and you'd get a light on your dash.
     
    #3 jerrymildred, Jan 27, 2020
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  4. Priuslover09

    Priuslover09 Member

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    Any codes?
     
    #4 Priuslover09, Jan 27, 2020
  5. John Pinkertons

    John Pinkertons New Member

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    No codes because it won’t go into accessory mode or start.

    the fob battery is fine b/c the lock and unlock buttons work and the car responds.
     
    #5 John Pinkertons, Jan 28, 2020
  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    how much oil did topping off take?
     
    #6 bisco, Jan 28, 2020
  7. John Pinkertons

    John Pinkertons New Member

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    1.5 qts
     
    #7 John Pinkertons, Jan 29, 2020
  8. SFO

    SFO Senior Member

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    Have you had a chance to check all of the fuses in the cabin and under the hood, pay attention to the AM2 and Dome fuses.

    Could be that your combo meter finally gave up the ghost, if not DIY then : Prius Speedometer Replacement
     
    #8 SFO, Jan 29, 2020
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  9. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

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    #9 edthefox5, Jan 29, 2020
  10. John Pinkertons

    John Pinkertons New Member

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    I've only checked a few fuses under the hood relating to the ignition. I'll check them all tonight
     
    #10 John Pinkertons, Jan 29, 2020
  11. John Pinkertons

    John Pinkertons New Member

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    Would a bad combo meter completely shut the car down? It used to run fine without it.
     
    #11 John Pinkertons, Jan 29, 2020
  12. SFO

    SFO Senior Member

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    Yes, they will do that when given enough time. How long has you been driving with a failed combination meter?

    If you're into the DIY thing, you can purchase the capacitors online. Or you can get a lifetime warranty with Texas Hybrids.

    Check the fuses first, but that could be your issue.

    You can also try Steve at http://phoenixhybridbatteries.com/ - he may also have an option, and please tell him everyone at "PriusChat says Hello" :love:
     
    #12 SFO, Jan 29, 2020
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  13. John Pinkertons

    John Pinkertons New Member

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    I've been driving with a bad combo meter for maybe 1-2 years now. It was only 1/10 drives before, then moved to like 1/5. I'll check the fuses soon. I've had steve repair two of my Prius' batteries before :)
     
    #13 John Pinkertons, Jan 30, 2020
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  14. John Pinkertons

    John Pinkertons New Member

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    Pulled every single fuse last night and tested with a meter... they're all good. Next best guess for everyone is a bad combo meter? All the lights, headlights, hazards, brake lights, etc work. Including on the dash : the turn signal lights, car with key logo
     
    #14 John Pinkertons, Jan 31, 2020
  15. SFO

    SFO Senior Member

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    Is the combo meter blacked out?
     
    #15 SFO, Jan 31, 2020
  16. John Pinkertons

    John Pinkertons New Member

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    I've had a bad combo meter for 1.5 years or so. Usually comes on 4/5 times. It's "blacked out" now b/c the car wont start or go into accessory mode at all.

    I just ordered a combo meter from Texas Hybrid Batteries. Fingers crossed it fixes it! If not, well I had to replace it anyway.
     
    #16 John Pinkertons, Feb 4, 2020
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  17. Priuslover09

    Priuslover09 Member

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    Glad it worked out for you!
     
    #17 Priuslover09, Feb 4, 2020
  18. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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    I hope that does the trick!
     
    #18 jerrymildred, Feb 4, 2020
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