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Check Engine Light on again

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by GaryK, Aug 24, 2004.

?

Has your Check Engine light ever come on and stayed on for a while?

  1. Yes

    13 vote(s)
    76.5%

  2. No

    3 vote(s)
    17.6%

  3. Many times

    1 vote(s)
    5.9%
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  1. GaryK

    GaryK New Member

    Joined:
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    The White Mountains of Arizona


    I have a 2004 Toyota Prius that is less than one month old. So far, the check engine light has come on 3 times. The Toyota tech reports that the first 2 times were caused by the "Solar Sensor" on the passenger side, which was replace last week at the dealership. Today, the check engine light came on and stayed on for a few hours. I assume that it's the same problem as before, as every time this has happened, it's been while powering up the car, not while driving.

    Has anyone else run into this same problem? If so, what was the cause and cure?

    It's pretty upsetting to have a brand new car display a light that tells me the take it to the dealer all the time. I have been told that 160 things can trigger that light, so it could be anything causing the problem.

    Thanks,

    Gary
     
    #1 GaryK, Aug 24, 2004
  2. jamarimutt

    jamarimutt New Member

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    My car's light has not come on, but the car I tested at the dealer had it on all the time. The are a few posts in this and other forums about the check engine light coming on during the first few hundred miles; apparently, it's not an important issue.

    My car's red triangle warning light came on and off just about every other day during the first month that I had the car. The light has been off for several months now.
     
    #2 jamarimutt, Aug 24, 2004
    1 person likes this.
  3. David

    David Member

    Joined:
    Dec 16, 2003
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    Location:
    Vero Beach, Florida
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Three
    My Check Engine light came on a number of times 9,000 miles ago. The Toyota dealer determined I had a bad gas tank and kept the car three weeks while they ordered and then installed the new tank.

    Shortly after the first fillup after my 10,000 service at the dealer the check engine light came on again. I will try to make time to find out the problem later this week. I'll post the results of another trip to the dealer for this.
     
    #3 David, Aug 24, 2004
    1 person likes this.
  4. GaryK

    GaryK New Member

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    David,

    I sure hope your last check engine light event is only due to your gas fill and cap, rather than something with your tank again. Please let us know what service finds when they check the errors codes.
     
    #4 GaryK, Aug 25, 2004
    1 person likes this.
  5. Dion

    Dion New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 13, 2004
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    Location:
    Jersey City, NJ
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    I had this same problem. Check engine light kept coming on. They replaced the wiring harness I believe. There is a technical bulletin about this problem. You need to search on PRIUSONLINE.COM for the fix.
    Here's the Link.
     
    #5 Dion, Aug 25, 2004
  6. GaryK

    GaryK New Member

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    Dion,

    Does you Prius have the side curtain air bags by chance? Mine is a package #3, with side curtain air bags.
     
    #6 GaryK, Aug 25, 2004
  7. Dion

    Dion New Member

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    Location:
    Jersey City, NJ
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    GaryK,

    Yes, I have a #9 with all options including the side airbags.
     
    #7 Dion, Aug 26, 2004
  8. GaryK

    GaryK New Member

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    Dion,

    Toyota service tells me my model Prius is too new to be effected by the wiring harness, as that problem was found only on model made before this Summer. Was your Prius made before the Summer by chance?
     
    #8 GaryK, Aug 28, 2004
  9. Dion

    Dion New Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
    Jersey City, NJ
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    GaryK,

    I got my Prius in March 2004.
     
    #9 Dion, Aug 31, 2004
  10. GaryK

    GaryK New Member

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    Dion,

    OK,

    Thanks for the info. Getting the car checked again in a few days, so will see what they find out. Would be nice to be able to plug a laptop in and see for myself.
     
    #10 GaryK, Aug 31, 2004
  11. GaryK

    GaryK New Member

    Joined:
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    Well,

    My 1 month old Prius is now sitting in the shop at the local Toyota service center. The service manager reports that more than one thing seems to be triggering the "check engine light" now, before, it was just the "Solar Sensor". Hope they find the cause and get it fixed soon, as it's 120 miles every time I have to take it to the dealer. At least, I got a free rental this time. Looks like I am going to be needing it. :(
     
    #11 GaryK, Sep 2, 2004
  12. richard schumacher

    richard schumacher shortbus driver

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    Location:
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    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
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    N/A
    120 miles to the nearest dealer?
     
    #12 richard schumacher, Sep 2, 2004
  13. GaryK

    GaryK New Member

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    Yes, 60 miles over, and 60 miles back. Not everyone lives in the big city.
     
    #13 GaryK, Sep 3, 2004
  14. ethanf58

    ethanf58 New Member

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    I got my 04 in March 04. Check engine light and red triangle has come on many times at start-up. The car then needs restarting to run properly. Light stays on. Dealer just replaced "wiring-harness" last thursday. Waiting to see if the light returns.
     
    #14 ethanf58, Sep 7, 2004
  15. wb9tyj

    wb9tyj 2017 Prius Prime Advanced

    Joined:
    May 20, 2004
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    Location:
    Indiana and Nevada
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Plug-in Advanced
    my check engine light just came on at 1900 miles...we were just driving down the road at 25-30mph...tried a shut down 3 times to no avail...gas cap just fine...who knows...
     
    #15 wb9tyj, Sep 19, 2004
  16. Jeri

    Jeri New Member

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    :) I think the problem lies with the fact that we need Toyota techs for service. My Tacoma had tthe constant check engine light problem which later became can't get out of first gear after the dealer looked at it! I had it in to three different dealerships and then took it to a private shop. They fixed it within two hours. Solenoid needed replacing. I sent a copy of their work sheet to the dealerships and told them they all needed toyota training.
     
    #16 Jeri, Sep 20, 2004
  17. wb9tyj

    wb9tyj 2017 Prius Prime Advanced

    Joined:
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    Location:
    Indiana and Nevada
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Plug-in Advanced
    had to reprogram the ecu...a tsb was issued for the check engine light...so we will see how long that lasts...
     
    #17 wb9tyj, Sep 20, 2004
  18. GaryK

    GaryK New Member

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    Location:
    The White Mountains of Arizona
    Well,

    After having my car for 2 weeks, service replaced the ECU with an updated unit. Seems ok so far, but they left the panel where the right side air curtain airbag loose and dangling! Fixed that myself. They told me that the ECU was a newer unit with programming upgrades, so am keeping my fingers crossed!

    I wonder if they new ecu would prevent me from adding the Coastal Electric only mode mod?
     
    #18 GaryK, Sep 21, 2004
  19. GaryK

    GaryK New Member

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    So far, so good since the new ECO. Lots of scratches caused by the upgrade by the dealer that were not there before :(
     
    #19 GaryK, Sep 26, 2004
  20. m6scott

    m6scott Junior Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
    Orlando Fl
    Does it mean anything if the "service" light comes on for a few seconds? I have 4500 miles on car.. Everything seems to be running good.. :roll:
     
    #20 m6scott, Oct 1, 2004
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