2002 Prius Stalling after Start-up

Classic symptoms of a sticky throttle plate.

Bob Wilson

 

My 01 does the same thing. I use 89 octane because my spark knock has gone away but it doesn't seem to help with the clunk sound. However, it doesn't do it every time its been below 25.

 

My 2002 Prius with 96000 miles did about the same thing to me this week 3 times. Most every time the gas engine would start, then about 10 seconds later a very bad shudder, then engine off with the triangle, check engine, etc. At that point I could only move on electric. After taking a 15-20 min. break and waiting for the tow truck, I turned it on to move the car to a better parking spot and realized the engine stayed on. Drove home first(also pretty close to my dealer) then cleared the indicators by restarting 3 or so times.

Didn't have any problems before, but had accidentally disconnected and reconnected the 12V battery before leaving home(My Westco 12V battery was mostly drained overnight due to a door left open), started O.K. but noticed some engine hesitation before getting to the destination where this had happened.

2nd time - After replacing Westco 12V with Optima Yellow Top 12V yesterday, car starts fine, go to Home Depot. When leaving, same problem, keep trying to restart, but the engine keeps failing after about 10 seconds. My kids and I guess that wait time is 15 minutes, and sure enough after waiting 15 minutes, restart, and engine runs. Drive home and restart 3+ times to clear indicators.

3rd time - The next day/today - 12V new battery is working great! Normal start. Go to two auto stores to buy Throttle cleaner(AutoZone) and the appropriate brush. When leaving 2nd store, same problem, same tries as a workaround(including waiting 5 minutes - which doesn't work), wait 15 minutes, restart, go home, wait for wife to come home, use other Prius to purchase CRC MAF cleaner and gas tank fuel injector cleaner at AutoZone, engine filter at Toyota.

Learned how to remove the MAF Sensor here(thanks jayman):
(See post #4 and just unscrew 2 philips screws marked "B" in the 1st picture with a very short screwdriver)
http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-ii-...roubleshooting/57617-cleaning-maf-sensor.html

Cleaned MAF Sensor(It was solid black) with the CRC MAF sensor cleaner at AutoZone.

Learned how to clean Throttle Body here(thanks Bob Wilson):
(also easier with the MAF sensor removed)
Cleaning Prius Throttle

Cleaned Throttle Body(It was filthy), put back dry MAF sensor, then put in new engine air filter. Also added fuel injector cleaner to gas tank later on at gas station.

Started car, revved great then stall after 30-40 seconds, restarted, drove around 20 minutes to clean it out and fill up gas tank. The engine sounds great now. Also did several short trips, no problems, no messages or check engine light.

Went from being to scared to even go near an MAF sensor, to a DIY on this in one day and will also do our 2004 Prius(103K miles) next week.

Had previously got this quote from dealer(but had put it off):
EFI and t-body (includes both Fuel Injector Cleaning and Throttle Plate Cleaning) $184.95
Clean MAF Sensor $64.95

I was going to pay $185 + $65 = $250 then x 2 for our 2004 Prius = $500.

Supplies cost about $25 for both cars (not including engine air filters)
My savings $475
I am SOOOOOO thrilled.

Thank you soooo much PriusChat.