05 Prius died, later restarted, check engine light

If you look under the hood, the air filter is inside the black square box to the left side. It's held with couple of clips on the side. You can open it without any tools. I'm not sure if the air filter is the issue here.

Better yet, you can go to Autozone or any of those stores, they can pull the codes for you. Many here can interpret the codes. Good luck!

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Jeri @ Apr 27 2007, 06:46 PM) [snapback]431408[/snapback]</div>

I am not a techie (nor do I play one on tv) BUT mechs sometimes do work with doors open and radio on. If your 12v battery was being drained your hybrid batteries would be trying to charge it as well as drive the engine/ Since the lightw were on, and you turned them off and started the car afterward, that may be the problem.

The check engine light, though scary, usually relates to the emission system and emission system sensors. I've even had mechanics say "hell, just drive it until you can get it fixed". The first thing to check is that the fuel cap was tightened down when it was put on last. I have had that oversight cause the check engine light to go on in other cars.

In the meantime, be happy you aren't seeing this this light (!) that's the really scary one!

 

headlights shouldn't make this an issue, they turn themselves off automatically if they were switched on when you turn the car off, and leave through the driver's door. i haven't used my headlight switch in months. DH hasn't used his in years (his camry has the same feature.)

head over to an auto zone or the like and see if you can't get the code. till then there isn't much that anyone can say.

 

What is the production date for your Prius? You can find it on the sticker on the left front door jamb. If it before 3/05 (I think that was the cutoff date but don't hold me to it) Have a dealer run the VIN for SSC's (Special Service Campaigns) You might qualify for the 50P campaign. It was designed to address exactly the situation you are describing. There is no charge to check SSC's and no charge to perform any that are outstanding.
BTW 50P involves reprogramming both the engine and HV ECU's and in some cases adding dielectric grease to a connector on the transaxle.