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Check Engine Light on Purchsed Less than 48hours Ago

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Technical Discussion' started by jro0420, May 13, 2007.

  1. jro0420

    jro0420 Junior Member

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    I purchased my new 07 Prius Yesterday and the check engine light came on just a few hours ago. I have less than 120 miles on the car. I can't figure out why this would be happening. I checked the Gas Door and Cap. Does anyone else know what could be wrong or what I could try. The dealer will be closed until monday.

    THanks
     
  2. Bill Merchant

    Bill Merchant absit invidia

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    Without some sort of scanner, you can only guess. You checked the most likely culprits. Turn your car on and off several times. If the light goes out, don't worry too much. If not, have fun at the dealer. That is way too new to show any problems!

    And welcome to PriusChat!
     
  3. jro0420

    jro0420 Junior Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Bill Merchant @ May 13 2007, 01:10 AM) [snapback]440941[/snapback]</div>

    Thanks Bill...

    I believe it may have began when the power button was pressed without brake applied or at least sometime around that. Would it be worth taking a look at the DIAG Screens. I noticed a few post on how to get into these screens. Is there something I can do to clear the warning?

    THanks Again,

    Justin
     
  4. Bill Merchant

    Bill Merchant absit invidia

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    Hi Justin. I don't know about the diag screens, or rather, I wouldn't mess with them. Several On-Off cycles will clear trivial codes that may light the CE light.

    Pressing the Power button once with no brake puts the car into Acc mode (radio on, windows don't work, no dash lights). Pressing the Power button twice with no brake puts the car into Ig-On (radio on, windows work, dash lights on, but no Ready and you can't shift). Acc and Ig-On are like the ignition switch settings on a conventional car before you twist it to engage the starter.

    From off, Acc, or Ig-On, pressing the brake pedal and then the Power button should put the car in Ready (the word Ready shows up near the speedometer) and you can shift and drive. Did you maybe get into Ig-On and see the light? Could you drive with the light on?
     
  5. jro0420

    jro0420 Junior Member

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    Thanks... I figured that out just now reading through everything. The car drives fine with the Check Engine Light on. I tried the multiple power cycles and still the same result. It appears that my wife left the dome light on last night but the car drove great all day today with no light on and the battery seemed to be charged completly. I just don't want to be driving somewhere and the car break down on me. Should it be safe to drive for a day or so until I can talk with the dealer.
     
  6. Bill Merchant

    Bill Merchant absit invidia

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    It will probably be OK. While you are reading the manual, check out how to "jump start" the car and locate the terminal under the cover in the fuse box under the hood. Good luck and post what happens. We all learn by sharing experiences. Welcome to PC once again, Justin.
     
  7. jro0420

    jro0420 Junior Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Bill Merchant @ May 13 2007, 01:48 AM) [snapback]440951[/snapback]</div>
    Well I didn't get a chance to try that! After I posted last time I went back out to drive it around for a bit to make sure the battery was in good shape. As soon as I turned it on the Check Engine light went away. I assume your last remedy worked. Thanks for everything.. Your the man Bill!
     
  8. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jro0420 @ May 13 2007, 02:37 AM) [snapback]440961[/snapback]</div>
    BTW, the error codes are retained even after the check engine light goes out. You may want to have the service center read out the codes and give you a report. I'd be interested in hearing their report.

    One of our new, local Prius owners had a problem with his new car that entailed a number of trips back to the dealer. They eventually figured it out. In engineering there is a class of problems called infantile failure that happen when a new product is first used. However, Murphy's law says this does not happen if the testing is done in the lab as part of acceptance testing. Once past these initial problems, the device remains reliable for a very long time.

    GOOD LUCK!

    Bob Wilson
     
  9. jimmyrose

    jimmyrose Member

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    Had a similar thing happen when I had only 133 miles on the Prius. I brought it immediately back to the dealer, and by reading the codes they determined a water bypass valve in the coolant sytem was "sticking". Gve me a Camry (non-hybrid) rental at no cost while they waited for the part and I was back in the Prius in a day or two, no problems since, just ticked 10,000 miles.

    As an earlier poster mentioned, the codes remain until cleared, you might want to have the dealer check it and give your a printout for you records. And ours :)
     
  10. jro0420

    jro0420 Junior Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ZenCruiser @ May 13 2007, 10:42 AM) [snapback]441066[/snapback]</div>

    Thanks Guys! I will bring it in tomorrow. The light came back on today for a few hours but, just like yesterday went back off. I will let you guys know something as soon as I do.

    Thanks Again
     
  11. galaxee

    galaxee mostly benevolent

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    well, all lights are explainable. get the error codes and if there's a problem you're obviously covered.
     
  12. MarinJohn

    MarinJohn Senior Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ZenCruiser @ May 13 2007, 07:42 AM) [snapback]441066[/snapback]</div>
    Long ago I had the same problem with my '04. fixed and not a problem since.
     
  13. NoVaSnow

    NoVaSnow Member

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    I had a similar problem when my car was a few days old. After a couple of power on/power off cycles, it went away. It's never come back.

    Yesterday was my Prius's first birthday. 13,106 miles of trouble-free driving and still loving it.
     
  14. hill

    hill High Fiber Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(bwilson4web @ May 13 2007, 11:14 AM) [snapback]441053[/snapback]</div>
    I'm not the fastest typist, nor am I the closest to the dealer of all PC members, but I figure by the time I could have posted all those posts, I could have had the car back from the shop. (not that I mind reading your posts!) so, WHAT DOES the tech say!?
     
  15. jro0420

    jro0420 Junior Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(hill @ May 15 2007, 09:32 AM) [snapback]442399[/snapback]</div>
    Well I will explain more later.. But I will say that today was a service nightmare for me. I will say that they have determined that the issue is related to the water valve. Not sure how but ok! Anyone else heard how this can cause check engine light or how this impacts the mechanical part of the car
     
  16. dswells

    dswells New Member

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    http://www.autoshop101.com/forms/Hybrid04.pdf

    This link has a description of the Prius ICE and the function of the Rotary Water Valve. If that was your problem it is the valve that controls water flow to the coolant heat storage tank. That's the tank that stores hot coolant when you shut down. The hot coolant is then pumped into the engine block during retarts to warm the engine faster and reduce emissions. My quess is it would only effect emissions and that is what triggered the CEL.
     
  17. jro0420

    jro0420 Junior Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ds2007red @ May 16 2007, 05:45 AM) [snapback]443187[/snapback]</div>

    Excellent Information! Major Props

    I will update more as it comes. I am currently driving a Corolla...
     
  18. Bill Merchant

    Bill Merchant absit invidia

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    Wow, ds2007red! Welcome to PriusChat and thanks for that link to autoshop101.com! Really some great Prius information there!
     
  19. rik

    rik Junior Member

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    Oh dear, the check engine light just came on for my 2007 Touring # 6. Only 3901 miles and no the gas cap is not loose. I filled about a week ago and the tank's half full.

    A couple of unusual things: today is probably the hottest day we've had all year and I had left my car in the sun for a while. Also, this was the first time I've run the A/C. I wonder if either of those things could have something to do with it?

    It will be a real pain for me to bring it to the service center this week, and I'm leaving town for the weekend hoping to drive my Prius a couple hundred miles on a trip. Would it be dumb of me to wait till I come back?
     
  20. galaxee

    galaxee mostly benevolent

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    if you tell them you just need to find out if it's safe to drive for a weekend, they should be able to just give you a quick look. tell them you just don't have time to leave the car with them and you need to know if it's ok to drive.

    they should be able to accommodate that.