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P3191 classic fail to start help

Discussion in 'Generation 1 Prius Discussion' started by krnluve24, May 15, 2020.

  1. krnluve24

    krnluve24 Junior Member

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    2001 Prius with 89000 miles. It failed to start with the code p3191. Fresh new 12 volt battery fully charged. Updated ecu with part # ending with 54. After resetting the 12 volt battery to clear all codes, I turn the key to acc and it shows no ready light with one bar blinking gas indicator. I know the tank is full because I just got gas the day before. Once I turn the key to start the car it shows ready light, ICE turns on for roughly 5-8 seconds, and then it shuts off with all the Christmas lights on including the doom triangle light.

    This started to happen after an oil change was done at a gas station and I noticed it might be over filled some what according to the dip stick. I manually opened the throttle plate and I can see some kind of liquid at the bottom of the manifold. It’s not a pool in there but enough to see my own reflection.

    I had the car towed back to my house and I am ready to tackle the issue. I plan on clean the throttle body, change out the spark plug, and redo the oil change with 3.5 quarts 5w-30.

    my question is, during that 5-8 seconds of ICE turning on before it shuts down, is the engine really turned on or the electric motor is turning it acting like it’s turned on? If the engine is indeed turned on and firing properly then I think the issue is not related to the engine because it sounded fine during that 5-8 seconds.

    Please help. Thanks.
     
    #1 krnluve24, May 15, 2020
  2. krnluve24

    krnluve24 Junior Member

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    After many hours of diagnostic, I came to the conclusion that the engine is not getting fuel with the tank full. I suspect either the fuel pump failed or something is electronically tell the fuel pump not to pump fuel. Anyone have any idea?
     
    #2 krnluve24, May 17, 2020
  3. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    I think you have access to the electrical connector on the fuel pump, through an access panel under the rear seat cushion.

    Put a meter there and see if twelve volts show up while you're trying to start the car.

    That'll tell you if the pump is kaput or the car isn't sending twelve volts for some reason.

    Choose next steps from there. Might refer to the repair manual (more info).
     
    #3 ChapmanF, May 17, 2020
  4. krnluve24

    krnluve24 Junior Member

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    One more thing. Every time i reset the 12 volt battery, the fuel indicator light shows one bar blinking. It never shows actual fuel level. I wonder if something is wrong with it.
     
    #4 krnluve24, May 17, 2020
  5. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    Connector for the fuel level sensor is right where the connector for the fuel pump is. Check one, may as well check both.
     
    #5 ChapmanF, May 17, 2020
  6. strawbrad

    strawbrad http://minnesotahybridbatteries.com

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    In Monopoly this would be called do not pass go, do not collect $200, go directly to jail. Before you do anything else remove and clean the MAF sensor. Use only MAF sensor cleaner to do so. Oil change shops love to up sell so they always check the air filter. One spec of dust from a disturbed air filter landing on the MAF sensor wires will disable a Prius. I have seen and fixed this dozens of times.

    Have you tried to get it to fire using starting fluid? Clean the MAF sensor!

    That is normal.

    Clean the MAF sensor!!!!
     
    #6 strawbrad, May 17, 2020
  7. krnluve24

    krnluve24 Junior Member

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    MAF sensor is cleaned using crc maf cleaner. Throttle body is cleaned with throttle body cleaner. I managed to get the engine running for 5 min with a can of starter fluid (needed to do that to charge the hv battery). Oil is drained to spec. This is my mother’s car hence why it went to the gas station to do an oil change :(
     
    #7 krnluve24, May 17, 2020
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  8. strawbrad

    strawbrad http://minnesotahybridbatteries.com

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    Been there and done that.
    Knowing that it makes sense to look at the fuel pump.
     
    #8 strawbrad, May 18, 2020
  9. krnluve24

    krnluve24 Junior Member

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    Some updates:

    I went to put a power probe directly onto the fuel pump and I can hear a very faint high pitch hum sound. I did not hear liquid sound. What does the fuel pump suppose to sound like when it's on?
     
    #9 krnluve24, May 20, 2020
  10. krnluve24

    krnluve24 Junior Member

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    #10 krnluve24, May 20, 2020
  11. strawbrad

    strawbrad http://minnesotahybridbatteries.com

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    They don't sound like your video. Does this mean that you checked for 12 volts at the pump? If the pump was working the car should run off your battery jumper pack.

    Replacement pumps are $500 or more Ouch! That makes a used pump or a universal inline pump options worth looking at.
     
    #11 strawbrad, May 20, 2020
  12. krnluve24

    krnluve24 Junior Member

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    I just want to end this thread by saying the problem is fixed. After watching a YouTube video, I decided to have a second look at the mass airflow sensor and I found a piece of small leaf stuck in there. I can’t believe it. You won’t be able to see it if the sensor is still in the intake box. You gotta remove the sensor to see it. Thank you everyone who participated in my ordeal.
     
    #12 krnluve24, May 21, 2020
    WHCSC and strawbrad like this.
  13. jamesprius

    jamesprius Member

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    The leaf was touching the tube on the sensor? Glad you were able to figure it out!
     
    #13 jamesprius, May 23, 2020
  14. krnluve24

    krnluve24 Junior Member

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    #14 krnluve24, May 23, 2020
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  15. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    How did it get there? :eek:
     
    #15 ChapmanF, May 23, 2020
  16. krnluve24

    krnluve24 Junior Member

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    I think when the oil change tech checked the air filter, a piece of leaf dropped in the throttle.
     
    #16 krnluve24, May 23, 2020
  17. strawbrad

    strawbrad http://minnesotahybridbatteries.com

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    The oil change shop opened up the air filter. Little bits get shaken loose and can end up in the MAF.
     
    #17 strawbrad, May 23, 2020
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