help, what did I do wrong?!!

I just attempted to replace my pcv on my 2008 Prius. I got everything apart, but couldn't get the old pcv to budge. I gave up, and put everything back together, and then installed a strut tower bar. I thought everything was fine, and I was going to take it for a ride.

I started up the car and immediately got the red triangle of death along with the VSC and engine codes. As the engine cycled on, there was some clattering. I turned the car off and tried again. Same thing, clattering along with the codes.

Does anybody have an idea of what I did to cause these symptoms? I thought I reconnected everything correctly. My thought is that when I was working on freeing the pcv, maybe I pulled too hard on the wires in that area and did some damage, but I sure hope not.

Can anybody please help?

Thanks, Chuck

 

Ok, I disassembled everything, and could find no obvious problems. I checked all the hoses in that area. I checked all of the connections. I doubt very much that I cracked the pcv, but the edges of the bolt part got worn when I tried to get it off (using all that I had, an adjustable wrench) the first time. I don't have the right tools to get it off now. So, I let it be, and put everything back again. I tried to start the car, and still got the red triangle. As the engine cycled on (as it does when you first start the car) it was rough again, and now I'm getting warning lights for VSC, brakes (yellow indicator), and the check engine light.

I then tried the battery thing, disconnecting the negative lead on the 12 volt battery. I waited, and reconnected it after about 15 minutes. I then went to start the car again, same problem. Unfortunately it looks like I will have to get it towed to the dealer to check it out, unless anybody has a better suggestion.

I sure hope there isn't anything that's going to be an expensive repair!

 

I must have displaced something, either wiring or a hose or something. I couldn't find anything obvious, though, when I checked the second time. I thought I was being careful enough (I followed the pictures and instructions on how to replace the pcv from another prius chat member), but obviously something must have happened. My wife said that "I was over my head this time", however, even though it didn't turn out right this time, I knew what I was doing with the detailed pictures and instructions! The only thing was I didn't have the right type of wrench to move a stuck pcv...all I had was a small adjustable wrench.

 

Yes, you are probably right. However, I don't trust myself now to fix the problem, and I've already spent too much time on it. I'm happy that towing is on my auto insurance, so that's not a big deal. I'm at the dealer right now, waiting for their feedback. Hopefully it is as you say, and nothing serious. If it isn't anything serious, then I will probably get out of here for about what it would have cost if I had decided to have somebody do the strut bar and pcv in the first place. Oh well....!

 

I have a ratchet and metric sockets, but they wouldn't fit down in there to use on the pcv. I don't have any open or box end wrenches, though, so I should probably put that on my Christmas list.

Good news and bad news...good news is that I made the right decision to take the car in to the dealer. I must have lifted the wire harness too high to get to the pcv, as a couple of the wires were pulled loose...bad news! Good news, I didn't have to get a totally new wire harness as they were able to fix the broken wires. I also had them go ahead and replace my pcv. Total bill with tax came to $480.

I am not one who enjoys working on cars, nor am I highly skilled in that area. However, I'm mechanically minded enough to usually know what I can do and can't do, and usually don't get in over my head. I am interested in saving money if it looks like something I can do myself. The Prius Chat knowledge article on replacing the pcv made it look like something I thought I could do. The pictures and descriptions were very informative. Where I went wrong was lifting up that wire harness too much as I was struggling to get the pcv loosened, and also not using the right kind of wrench. So, hopefully other novice people such as myself who are trying to save some money can learn from my mistake. I had no idea I was breaking any wires because I couldn't see what I was doing. I certainly didn't hear anything break or snap. I didn't know the wire harness was as delicate as it was, and I thought I was being careful enough. Good news is my car is back to normal, although now I have to disable the seatbelt and reverse beeps again!

Thanks for all the helpful feedback.

Chuck

 

Actually, it's better than I thought...after the $100 for towing, what I actually paid for the repair work was $380. My insurance company will reimburse me for the towing once I submit the receipt. I'm just glad I didn't have to get a new wire harness, since that part alone is about $2000 new!!

Time to move on. It's nice to be able to drive my car again!

 

I have 48,685 miles on the car as of tonight. Why do you ask? I know it was a little early to replace the pcv, but better early than too late! I figured that while the dealer was fixing my problem they might as well put the new pcv in.

I was driving around town tonight, testing the car out. The strut tower bar definitely makes it more solid in the turns. I haven't tried it on the highway yet. I was going to Home Depot to buy a fuse for a floor lamp dimmer. (my floor lamp repair was successful!) While I was there, I also took a look at the wrenches... Christmas is coming, you know!