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2003 Gen I - Stalling at start randomly then runs like a champ.

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Technical Discussion' started by Pepcfreak, Aug 21, 2012.

  1. Pepcfreak

    Pepcfreak Junior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 21, 2012
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    Location:
    Florida
    Vehicle:
    2003 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    I didnt see a Gen I forum so i thought id post this here.

    About 2 years ago our 2003 Prius stalled alot at start up, it eventually stopped even running. Dealer replaced the ECM and it was 100% fine untill last night.

    It stalled again last night, but like before as soon as it stalled we waited a few moments and it started up again. We drove it home about 10 miles and there was no hesitation or power loss. Car felt fine and had its normal great power for a little engine car.

    When it stalled it sounds like the car is being torn apart. The warning light with the triangle comes on and on the display screen is shows the error to the far right with the car and exclamation point.

    After getting home i turned the car off and back on a few times and it was fine, about the 3rd time the warning lights went away with the exception of the check engine light to the right of the speedometer. Drove the car to work just fine this morning with the check engine light still and drove like a champ.

    I live in Florida now where as before this problem was happening in Maryland where it does get cold, the past few weeks it has been doing nothing but raining i don't mean drizzling i mean hard rains everyday around 1-4pm and sometimes overnight.

    Another ting that happened when i started the car i have a habit of not turning the key all the way as it only needs a quick turn to turn it over, this time i barely got it turned into the starting area for the car before it slipped out of my fingers and went back to the part before the pressure of the starting area begins. Could this have done it this time and im freaking out for no reason?

    Thanks,
     
  2. etobia

    etobia Member

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    Location:
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    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
  3. usnavystgc

    usnavystgc Die Hard DIYer and Ebike enthusiast.

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    Location:
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    Vehicle:
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    Four
    Yes it is highly possible that this came as a result of not turning the key far enough or from holding it there long enough. Gen I's are tempermental. My philosophy is, when you get a DTC/warning light, turn it off, wait 5 minutes and turn it back on. The lights will still be there but try to drive it and see how it runs. If it runs fine, cycle the key on and off 4-5 times to see if the DTC's reset. If so, drive it normally and see if they come back. If they don't, enjoy your drive(s). If they do, then you have a problem that needs to be addressed.
     
  4. Pepcfreak

    Pepcfreak Junior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 21, 2012
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    Location:
    Florida
    Vehicle:
    2003 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Thanks usnavystgc. Ive been driving it all day about 4-5 turn on no issue, check engine lights are off and everything is running great.

    Ill update this again god forbid it happens again.
     
  5. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
    Clearwater, Florida
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    There's a Gen 1 TSB out for a leaking seal at the bottom of the windshield that seals the water dam from allowing water to drip onto engine. If the seal leaks water drips perfectly on top of the engine and runs down into the sparkplug well. Rusts the ignitor connections and the sparkplug. Very intermittent motor performance at first culminating to a CEL Engine Misfire.

    Either that or you need a throttle body cleaning.