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Check Engine Light Just Came On

Discussion in 'Prius c Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by TSW, Nov 23, 2016.

  1. TSW

    TSW New Member

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    I have a 2013 Prius C4 and my Check Engine light just came on. It's Thanksgiving Eve and I'm supposed to pick somebody up at the Wilkes Barre, PA airport Friday morning. So nobody's open to check it out. Any ideas? Should I risk the 3 hour round trip drive before getting this checked out?

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    #1 TSW, Nov 23, 2016
  2. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    My hunch, no. Play it safe, they can take a cab.

    Might be overkill but who knows.
     
    #2 Mendel Leisk, Nov 23, 2016
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  3. TSW

    TSW New Member

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    #3 TSW, Nov 23, 2016
  4. Sean Nelson

    Sean Nelson Active Member

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    You might try cycling the car on and off a few times, perhaps disconnecting and then reconnecting the 12V battery to "reset" the cars computer to see if the CEL goes away. If it doesn't, or if it reappears then I agree with Mendel - better safe than sorry.

    My understanding is that the CEL can be triggered by some pretty trivial things - for example, failure to properly screw on the gas filler cap. So I think it's worth at least an attempt at a resetting it. But I'm not an expert on it, so it might be wise to Google >"prius c" cel reset< to read up on it a bit.
     
    #4 Sean Nelson, Nov 23, 2016
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  5. JimN

    JimN Let the games begin!

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    The idiot light can indicate anything from a BS problem like a loose gas cap up to catastrophic failure. Without reading the codes there is no way of knowing. I would not disconnect the battery just to clear the code.

    I bought a ScanGauge for the additional instrumentation and the ability to read and clear codes.
     
    #5 JimN, Nov 24, 2016
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  6. IMkenNY

    IMkenNY Im just being nosy

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    The Prius is completely safe to drive with a check engine light that is not flashing.
    If the check engine light is flashing it indicates a misfire condition that can damage the catalytic converter and in this case the Prius should not be driven.
     
    #6 IMkenNY, Nov 24, 2016
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  7. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Didn't know that.
     
    #7 Mendel Leisk, Nov 24, 2016
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  8. TSW

    TSW New Member

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    All my fluid levels are good and the gas cap was securely tight. I've also intermittently seen the air bag error light come on, but I don't know whether there's any connection. Seems as if I was able to do a CEL reset, it should come back on if there's still a problem. Agree?

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    #8 TSW, Nov 24, 2016
  9. IMkenNY

    IMkenNY Im just being nosy

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    Yes, read the code if the check engine light returns.
    Unlike the hybrid error codes that need to be read with a computer loaded with the techstream software, check engine lights can be read with inexpensive OBDII readers.
    My local Walmart sells an inexpensive OBDII reader / reset tool for just under $20
     
    #9 IMkenNY, Nov 24, 2016
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  10. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    ^ I think this daschshund knows his stuff!
     
    #10 Mendel Leisk, Nov 24, 2016
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  11. TSW

    TSW New Member

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    It's a solid light, not blinking. I'll have to buy one of those code readers, but I'll probably take it to Advanced Auto when I return from Wilkes Barre Airport. I found a different car to drive.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    #11 TSW, Nov 24, 2016
  12. AtkinsonCycle

    AtkinsonCycle Junior Member

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    Hello, TSW. I also have a 2013 C (mine's a Two), but no CEL. I live in south central PA. Not sure where you are at, but if you are close to me, I do have a working Techstream set up which would provide more detail as to the nature of the CEL on your car. Again, I am not sure if our locations are convenient, but I thought I would offer. Good luck. Hopefully, it's something easy and inexpensive.
     
    #12 AtkinsonCycle, Dec 3, 2016
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