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

Do I really need a new fuel tank and Charcoal canister?

Discussion in 'Generation 1 Prius Discussion' started by kjudy11, Oct 27, 2009.

  1. kjudy11

    kjudy11 New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 27, 2009
    3
    0
    0
    Location:
    Las Vegas
    Vehicle:
    2001 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    My 2001 Prius has had some trouble. After starting a little rough all the indicator lights came on. The car stayed in battery mode until I turned off the key and then restarted it. However, all the indicator lights stayed on for about a day. The Toyota service center said I needed a new gas tank and charcoal canister. I've already spent $6,000 in repairs this year(new battery, oxygen sensor, and catalytic converter). Now they want another $1,650.
    The money I saved on gas (150,000 miles) is long gone...What should I do?
     
    #1 kjudy11, Oct 27, 2009
  2. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

    Joined:
    Nov 25, 2005
    27,401
    15,528
    0
    Location:
    Huntsville AL
    Vehicle:
    2018 Tesla Model 3
    Model:
    Prime Plus
    If you restart the car three times, it clears the indicators. Is this what happened?

    Where is the car now?

    Did you have to tow it to the dealer?
    What code(s)?

    Bob Wilson
     
    #2 bwilson4web, Oct 28, 2009
  3. kjudy11

    kjudy11 New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 27, 2009
    3
    0
    0
    Location:
    Las Vegas
    Vehicle:
    2001 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Aha! That's one of my answers. I've always thought the indicator lights turn off after a period of time. Now I know it's just the number of times you restart the car. Thank you:)
    The car is with me but the problem may be growing. I've had the same thing happen two more times. I just can't afford $1650.
    I wonder if I can replace the charcoal canister myself without putting in a whole new fuel tank...? And if I don't address this issue how long can I go before the car won't move...?
     
    #3 kjudy11, Oct 29, 2009
  4. tochatihu

    tochatihu Senior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 10, 2004
    9,060
    3,529
    0
    Location:
    Kunming Yunnan China
    Vehicle:
    2001 Prius
    This has all the earmarks of TSB EG011-03, which is available somewhere on priuschat. Depending on the diagnostic results, a new hybrid vehicle ECU or a fuel pump relay or the whole fuel tank assembly needs replacing. Or some combination.

    The first step is to get the diagnosis done correctly. If only the HV ECU is needed, several people have successfully postponed it by cleaning throttle body and the throttle butterfly in particular. The ECU is actually the easiest thing to do youself, but you need the correct (most recent) part #. The fuel pump relay could also be DIY. The fuel tank assembly - probably not, but it is surprsingly not expensive (like $300). The charcoal canister is not a separate item.

    But you see I am arguing ahead of the data here. We still need to know the code(s)
     
    #4 tochatihu, Oct 29, 2009
  5. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

    Joined:
    Apr 14, 2009
    12,470
    6,866
    2
    Location:
    Greenwood MS USA
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Three
    After you get the codes, recall that 'new' is not the only kind of parts for a 2001.
     
    #5 JimboPalmer, Oct 29, 2009
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)