1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

06 Prius Engine starts then dies.

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Technical Discussion' started by Randy Jones, Oct 14, 2016.

  1. Randy Jones

    Randy Jones New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 14, 2016
    3
    0
    0
    Location:
    Flatwoods, Kentucky
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    I have an 06 Prius that has been sitting. After clearing codes, sometimes you can force start it(pressing brake and holding start button). Engine will run for 2-3 seconds then die and won't start back. I was wondering if my HV battery would cause this or the 12v battery. Any suggestions?
     
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,571
    48,862
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    i don't think it's either. it can't start with a bad 12v or hv battery. i think you're going to have to read the codes. does it have gas?
     
  3. Randy Jones

    Randy Jones New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 14, 2016
    3
    0
    0
    Location:
    Flatwoods, Kentucky
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    Showing full tank, could it be a false reading on guage?
    Don't really know, I'll try putting gas in it and maybe trying a new 12v battery. Hv cells show 7.2 volts.
     
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,571
    48,862
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    again, it can't start with a bad 12v, so that's not it. check all your fluids, especially oil, inverter coolant and pump operation.
     
  5. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,571
    48,862
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    i'm not familiar with the 'forced start' operation, so perhaps i'm missing something there.
     
  6. Randy Jones

    Randy Jones New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 14, 2016
    3
    0
    0
    Location:
    Flatwoods, Kentucky
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    The car won't start by pushing start button one time. I have to hold the button down while pressing the brake. The ready light will flash and you hear the hv solenoid in the back click on and off. Finally the gas engine will start.
     
  7. CooCooCaChoo

    CooCooCaChoo Active Member

    Joined:
    Jan 7, 2015
    886
    493
    0
    Location:
    Cow-lee-fornia
    Vehicle:
    2023 Prius
    Model:
    LE
    How long has it been sitting? Could be bad gas if it sits for too long.
     
  8. usnavystgc

    usnavystgc Die Hard DIYer and Ebike enthusiast.

    Joined:
    Jul 29, 2011
    3,159
    988
    0
    Location:
    Tucson, AZ
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    For one, this is not a forced start, this is a regular start. All Prius require you to push down the brake and hit the start button to start them. So the procedure you're describing is normal starting procedure.

    Second, the car is not starting at all. Remember, the car is started by MG1 which turns the engine for 2-3 seconds at a high RPM (which seems like a start). If the car does not start, it will stop turning it to preserve the charge on the HV battery. Continued attempts to start the car will eventually drain the HV battery. Do not continue to attempt to start this car until you fix the problem.

    As for the problem. Its standard "engine won't start" troubleshooting (fuel, spark, timing, compression, etc).
     
    bisco and valde3 like this.
  9. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,571
    48,862
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    bad gas?
     
  10. Texas Hybrid Batteries

    Texas Hybrid Batteries Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 7, 2014
    270
    549
    3
    Location:
    Dallas -Fort Worth
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    You most likely need to clean the throttle body and MAF sensor. I can't even count the number of Prius I've seen fail to start because of this issue. Make sure you disconnect the 12 Volt battery for a few minutes before you try a restart.

    Matt
     
    fotomoto and bisco like this.
  11. ericbecky

    ericbecky Hybrid Battery Hero

    Joined:
    Mar 12, 2004
    4,365
    3,209
    1
    Location:
    Madison, Wisconsin
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Using starting fluid may increase your chance of keeping it running at startup once you sort out the other issues.