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Nightmare on (not quite) Elm Street 04 Prius code avalanche

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by terramir, Apr 3, 2021.

  1. terramir

    terramir Member

    Joined:
    Aug 3, 2015
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    Location:
    Los Angeles
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Ok,
    #1 catalytic converters stolen- got new ones made shield ok
    #2 Drive 40 miles dreaded P1121 (3way valve) bought new one at autozone.
    #3 Then After refilling and trying to get enough in burping it code P1150 but I figure too much air in system I was right
    # 4 then bunch of can bus errors from u0293 to p0100 to P0111 now since when I clear it it’s never the same one it’s probably due to a combination of the combo meter not working when it’s cold half the time and messing up the can bus communications!
    Got a combo meter upstairs for an 07 but before I tear up the dashboard can someone please please tell me where I can put 12V on that thing to test it (was a junk yard pull knowing that mine has been messing up for years when it’s below 60F
    Also ain’t I supposed to remove a light bulb or swap some wires.
    Oh And one more thing I have not taken a shower in four days not been in my apartment for more than 5 minutes either so sleeping in my car, because the knuckleheads from the city have started towing cars that have expired registrations, paid it but I can’t get through smog check till this nightmare is finished, also would adding caps with little wires solve my meters problem since I got a ton upstairs
    terramir
     
  2. dolj

    dolj Senior Member

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    Location:
    Wellington, New Zealand
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    You cannot use the '07 CM in a '04 without also changing the '04 light cluster for the '07 one. In addition, the light cluster needs a small modification to remove the TPMS LED, otherwise, that will glow forever.
     
  3. terramir

    terramir Member

    Joined:
    Aug 3, 2015
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    Location:
    Los Angeles
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Yeah I pulled the whole thing but right now I did a you tube fix I paralleled the 100mf cap with another 100mf cap and two wires 4 starts so far no errors, I can fix that tmps thingy But here’s the thing I still would like to have the 07 ready to go anyone know if I can feed it 12 in some kinds test mode so I can see if it works and maybe the mileage does anyone know anything more advanced??
    terramir
     
  4. terramir

    terramir Member

    Joined:
    Aug 3, 2015
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    Location:
    Los Angeles
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Arrggg! Now I fix the combo meter and I bled the system up the Ting yang this morning But now p1150 is back arrrg it’s like windmills here and I’m the don
    Help
     
  5. dolj

    dolj Senior Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
    Wellington, New Zealand
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    There could be a clog or air in the system. If there is still air in the CHRS, the temperature sensor will not give an accurate reading and therefore could throw up an error code.

    Affected areas are:
    • Coolant heat storage tank outlet temperature sensor
    • Water valve (coolant flow control valve)
    • Cooling system (clogging)
    • Heat storage tank
    • ECM
     
  6. terramir

    terramir Member

    Joined:
    Aug 3, 2015
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    Location:
    Los Angeles
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    II
    As in Quixote
    I plugged in my OBDLink lx and put hybrid assistant on my phone did a forced charge well within a minute the temp shot to 100 plus degrees as in being in the red and it’s like 60F outside well anyhow this must mean I still got a hell of a lot of air in the system somewhere three problems
    #1 I stopped getting bubbles earlier I did run the heat and did get hot air out of the vents
    #2 I did run the tanks pump by jumping with a multimeter
    #3 I flushed the system with distilled water twice just to get the crap out
    #4 My radiator doesn’t seem to be an original, because while I do have a bleeder screw 6mm Alan (hex) there was no barb I bled it till coolant started coming out of the top of the plastic screw pushed on hoses got some more bubbles out.
    I checked it earlier after I drove it a bit but in the pipe the coolant was only an inch down.
    I got limited tools and after using most of my funds on the new cat assembly I need a low tech way to ensure there is no more air in the system Considering the temp shot up that much in that short a time I really think that air is the issue
    Help I seriously am a bit stuck
    terramir
     
  7. pasadena_commut

    pasadena_commut Senior Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
    Southern California
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Be sure the heater core in the dash is hooked to the coolant so that it fills too. Perhaps the Prius has an electronically controlled valve that attaches that coolant loop? If so, the car might need to be "on", but the motor not running, for it all to fill correctly.

    There are "airlift" tools which use vacuum to fill the coolant system without forming air bubbles. These need a compressor to drive them. The name brand ones are kind of pricey but Harbor Freight has one for like $80. Go to their site and look for "Cooling system test and refill kit". The ratings there are decent. It is from HF though, and plastic, so don't expect it to last forever.

    Another option would be to find a local shop which has one of these devices. Just explain the situation. They should be able to drain the new fluid you put in, then refill using that, with a little more to top it off, in half an hour or so.