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Bought an 08 model 1 that won't run, help

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by neech, Sep 22, 2020.

  1. neech

    neech New Member

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    I bought a 2008 model 1 Prius from a guy at work. It has about 150,000 miles on it and burns oil so I thought no big deal. Then I found out it doesn't run. He said it's fixable he just doesn't want to mess with it anymore. He said they told him a plunger is stuck and a few more need to be replaced. It also just buzzes when you try to go anywhere. I've been a Ford tech for over 20 years and have never heard of a plunger but I've never touched a Prius before. The buzzing makes me think it may be a relay but I have no clue. Could someone please point me in the right direction? Thank you.
     
  2. RRxing

    RRxing Senior Member

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    Plunger = Piston???
     
  3. neech

    neech New Member

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    That's what I was thinking but he said it was repairable easy. I talked to him some more today and he's going to see if his wife remembers what it was better than he does. I have no idea what the buzzing would be if it was a froze piston. I don't have time to mess with it until this weekend. I was hoping maybe somebody knew what he was talking about. I really hope I didn't waste 300 dollars.
     
  4. TMR-JWAP

    TMR-JWAP Senior Member

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    Step 1....make sure the 12v battery is fully charged so you don't end up chasing your tail
    Step 2....if there is a red triangle or CEL, get the codes read. If the red triangle is on, make sure you use a Prius compatible reader other wise it likely will incorrectly read the hybrid codes.
    Step 3....post code info here
    Step 4...we'll be all over it like white on rice..
     
  5. TMR-JWAP

    TMR-JWAP Senior Member

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    I wonder if plunger means the park lock pawl that locks the transaxle? That would be considered a plunger by an old school owner
     
  6. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    No plungers. First thing to do is check the 12v battery that is in the back right under the carpet. Don't forget to push the brake when you try to start. Start is simply the green Ready light although the gas engine should then run in 10-15 seconds.
     
    #6 rjparker, Sep 22, 2020
    Last edited: Sep 22, 2020
  7. SFO

    SFO Senior Member

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    Welcome to PriusChat!!

    Sounds like you've found a decent deal at 300, congrats!

    Are there warning/trouble lights displayed on the dash, please post them here.

    Wouldn't surprise me if the "buzzing" noise was related to the braking system.

    You can read OBD2 codes (DTCs) with an OBD2 bluetooth adapter and an App like Dr Prius or Torque, others prefer a $20 'mini-vci' cable and 'techstream' (dealer technician software), this option is able to retrieve the detailed codes, sub codes, or INFs in addition to DTCs.
     
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  8. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    If you ever feel you want to get your $300 back, let me know, I'll tow it home. If it's buzzing noise you're constantly hearing, it probably has a brake problem.....for someone to let you have it for $300, my guess a $2000 brake actuator quote.
     
    edthefox5, Raytheeagle and SFO like this.
  9. TMR-JWAP

    TMR-JWAP Senior Member

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    I would buy every original Gen 2 Prius I could get my hands on if I could get them for $300. The GD3/EA6 model catalytic converters alone sell for scrap at 1150+ right now. Throw in 200 for the MFD, 300 for the brake actuator, and on and on. $300 is a major win in my book.
     
  10. neech

    neech New Member

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    I got the key today and work said it had to be moved today. I got the key and it started up and I drove it home. There is a huge exhaust leak which gave me soe HO2s codes and Cat inefficiency codes. He also had lost the gas cap so I had a couple of evap codes. There were 2 Powertrain codes I didn't recognize P3190 and P3193. After looking it up I get engine performance issue and Intake Manifold Runner Control Open Stop outside of valid range. I don't know what to expect from the car as far as driveability goes. It seemed to stumble when the engine first started up on acceleration but only a few times. It got up to 70 mph on the highway no problem. The battery would only show charged a little above halfway, I don't know if it's getting weak or needs more driving. I figured I would look at the exhaust first because the O2 sensor could be keeping it in closed loop. Any ideas where to start for the P3190 and P3193?
     
  11. neech

    neech New Member

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    Somebody stole the converter from it. I live in a pretty crime free area so I didn't think that would be the problem but meth has gotten big around here. Does anyone have any experience with running a straight pipe in place of the converter? Where I live it is legal for me to put a pipe in but not for a shop to do it and we don't have any emissions testing here. They cut the wire for the O2 sensor instead of just unplugging it.
     
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  12. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    Sounds like somebody already got the cat.
     
  13. neech

    neech New Member

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    I put a straight pipe in place of the converter today I live in South Dakota and we have no inspections of any kind. It runs great and the only codes I have are for the O2 sensor and an evap code because he lost the gas cap. I think when I get some money saved up I'll buy a $120 converter from E-bay and put it on. I can't believe someone stole the converter. There is not much crime in my town, a lot of people still leave their doors unlocked.
     
  14. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    So what was the plunger stuff?
     
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  15. neech

    neech New Member

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    I have no idea what he was talking about.
     
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  16. dolj

    dolj Senior Member

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    Save a few dollars more and buy a new gas cap, too.
     
  17. neech

    neech New Member

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    The salvage yard has 2 Prius hopefully one of them still has the gas cap. I'm pretty happy with the car so far. I am going to have to try some of the options I read about to reduce the amount of oil it burns too. Even if I have to put new rings in it or a new engine I will still come out ahead.