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

Engine light on due to rain?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by nudriver, Dec 2, 2018.

  1. nudriver

    nudriver Member

    Joined:
    Mar 10, 2012
    218
    26
    0
    Location:
    los angeles
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    The other day, after a ton of rain and driving through rivers of water on the city streets, when the rain had passed and I was heading home I noticed my engine light on. I wondered if it had anything to do with parts of the car getting soaked. Sure enough the indicator went off by the next day. What could this have been?
     
    #1 nudriver, Dec 2, 2018
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,920
    49,056
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    anything
     
    #2 bisco, Dec 2, 2018
    Raytheeagle and Johnny Cakes like this.
  3. Johnny Cakes

    Johnny Cakes Senior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 30, 2016
    998
    756
    2
    Location:
    Virginia, USA
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Five
    That's EXACTLY what I was gonna say when I first read the post but didn't.

    To Nudriver: we're not being smart alecks (well, maybe a little bit). The point is that a zillion things can trigger the CEL, and whatever fault is can resolve, and the CEL goes out. So just because X was happening when the CEL came on doesn't mean that X is at all related.

    BTW, you probably know that the CEL is primarily a check on the emissions system. Generally speaking, driving with the CEL on does not hurt anything (other than the environment).
     
    #3 Johnny Cakes, Dec 2, 2018
  4. nudriver

    nudriver Member

    Joined:
    Mar 10, 2012
    218
    26
    0
    Location:
    los angeles
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    I didn't know it was emissions connected as a sensor, but good to know. I always have dreaded that light coming on in any car I've driven, assuming it would be a project to deal with. I know many things can trigger the CEL, but my point was that it had rained very heavily and I was wondering if water splashing up under the car or into the engine would damage something, and thus the indicator coming on.
     
    #4 nudriver, Dec 2, 2018
  5. BZzap!

    BZzap! Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 13, 2012
    1,607
    877
    0
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    There should be a code stored if the CEL came on. Check that code and it might give you a clue. Take it to the auto store and they will probably scan the system for free.
     
    #5 BZzap!, Dec 2, 2018
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)