Prius Doesnt start. Dashboard lights up

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by PriusGenxFixer, Feb 24, 2026.

  1. PriusGenxFixer

    PriusGenxFixer New Member

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    I got a non working prius from someone who maintained it very well but it stopped working and they thought it was the HV battery. I got an alternatve HV battery and replaced 4 modules which had a 5V and put it back in with a new voltage of 15.6
    The initial battery error is gone. Now I face the following problem
    1) When i start the engine seems to run for 5-10 seconds and shuts off
    2) I get the "Triangle of death"
    3) The fuel gauges reads flashes empty when i start in "Non REady" mode.
    4) In ready mode the fuel shows full
    5) Tried to fill fuel and it over flowed. #4 is correct.
    6) 12V battery is new but drained possibly becasue of SKS and the parking lot of close to home where the key is. I have diabled SKS (with Key button flip by Driver's knees)

    Next Steps
    1) I have added a new battery and kept it over night to see if battery drain will be elimated. Will report
    2) I may have to check the fuel pump relay and fuse. Any help or debug around this?
    3) Pull the fuel line from engine and start the pump using 12v. Any suggestions?

    Thanks a bunch for your help on what else i need to do.
     
    #1 PriusGenxFixer, Feb 24, 2026
  2. PriusGenxFixer

    PriusGenxFixer New Member

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    Apologies DTC code is p0a0f. I also see a Fuel empty code (I think p3193) but i didnt take a note of it because it may not be relevant

    2007 Prius with SKS and 85k miles
    Old owner claims it stopped working just so "suddenly"
     
    #2 PriusGenxFixer, Feb 24, 2026
    Last edited: Feb 24, 2026
  3. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    P3193 is the most relevant code. It is from the engine control module, telling you why the engine isn't running.

    P0A0F is just a code from the HV control ECU saying "hey, I wanted the ECM to run the engine and it won't, what gives?".

    P3190/P3191/P3193 are an interesting family of codes. Essentially, P3190 tells you the engine is running really poorly. Code gets changed to P3191 if that happens while the engine is trying to start, and changed to P3193 if that happens while the combination meter doesn't think there's much fuel in the tank.
     
    #3 ChapmanF, Feb 25, 2026 at 9:59 AM
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  4. BiomedO1

    BiomedO1 Senior Member

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    Your engine isn't starting and you've got a parasitic draw someplace. A new battery shouldn't simply discharge all by itself, unless it's bad or there's a parasitic discharge.
    As for the engine, back to basics, fuel, air, spark - also make sure that thief deterrent alarms is disabled........
     
    #4 BiomedO1, Feb 25, 2026 at 10:51 AM
  5. PriusGenxFixer

    PriusGenxFixer New Member

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    Thanks.
    1) Do either of you suspect the engine is not given the oppurtunity to start since the ECM thinks the fuel is low?
    2) I have to be care full to keep the HV battery at charge. Right? Any alternatives as i debug to not drain the HV. I am looking at the following low current charger to charge the batteries at 220v dc. Will use 210v cut off switch to ensure i dont over charge. CAnt attach a link so have attached a picture from amazon


    Any thoughts?
     

    Attached Files:

    #5 PriusGenxFixer, Feb 25, 2026 at 11:25 AM
  6. mr_guy_mann

    mr_guy_mann Senior Member

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    I would clean the throttle body bore (& carefully clean the MAF sensor as well).

    The engine isn't "running" - the hybrid system will spin the engine at 1000 RPM for up to 10 seconds when it tries to start. Do that enough times and you will discharge the HV battery.

    You need to check basics - does the fuel pump work? - what do the spark plugs look like? - any mouse nests in the air filter or exhaust system etc.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    #6 mr_guy_mann, Feb 25, 2026 at 12:42 PM
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  7. PriusGenxFixer

    PriusGenxFixer New Member

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    Thanks to all of you for being patient with me and responding

    Yes will check MAF, Fuel pump Sparkplug .
    1) Exaust is clean. Not blocked. I didnt even think about this until Mr_Guy_Mann pointed out
    2) Checked the fuses and all are well. Havent checked the relays.
    3) Battery Drain: I checked the battery and it was fine today. I also have a Renogy battery monitor and I noticed that current as soon as I locked the doors varied between .5 to 1.3 A (5W-14W). After about 15 min it when to 0A/0W. Battery may be ok. The battery monitor can detect only 2 two digit decimal But I am inclined towards conclusion the battery isn’t draining. Do you agree?

    I have a Autel Maxsys pro. Is it possible to do some diagnostic work on that? I have seen be able to turn on components in a Mercedes Sprinter 201x models. Can something be done on a Prius GEn II?
     
    #7 PriusGenxFixer, Feb 25, 2026 at 1:36 PM
    Last edited: Feb 25, 2026 at 1:42 PM
  8. BiomedO1

    BiomedO1 Senior Member

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    I've never seen an ECM disable the engine because of a low fuel indicator. The engine usually stops because of lack of fuel or fuel pressure. Don't know if that car has a fuel test port on the fuel rail, to check fuel pump pressure. Multiple attempts to restart a car without fuel can cause an ECM lock-out and wear down your traction battery. Your code reader will show you an ECM lock-out. Simply clear the code to release it.
     
    #8 BiomedO1, Feb 25, 2026 at 10:10 PM
  9. mr_guy_mann

    mr_guy_mann Senior Member

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    The Maxisys is a pretty good scantool. You should have bidirectional controls with that and can do things like command the fuel pump on (does the pump turn on?).

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    #9 mr_guy_mann, Mar 2, 2026 at 8:31 PM
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