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Strange Prius Behavior

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by CardiffChris, May 3, 2014.

  1. CardiffChris

    CardiffChris Member

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    2014 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    II
    Yesterday, at 8000 ft in the Arizona mtns, my 2010 Prius exhibited some strange behaviors
    For several minutes the gas pedal was non responsive in the first half of it's travel, then it would lurch ahead in a jerky manner unlike it's normal behavior.
    It seemed like the electric motor was not being engaged.
    It also seemed stuck in ECO mode.
    Pushing the economy mode button would not disengage economy mode.
    If I stepped hard on the pedal it would go, but not very well.
    After heading down the mountain to a lower elevation seemed to help.
    Once back down to Tucson, operating normally.

    HAS ANYONE HAD ANY SIMILAR PROBLEM.
     
    #1 CardiffChris, May 3, 2014
  2. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    Check your air filter

    SM-N900P ?
     
    #2 JC91006, May 3, 2014
  3. KennyGS

    KennyGS Senior Member

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    It sounds like a motorcycle I rented to ride in the CO Rockies years ago. It had a carburetor, and was not adjusted for higher altitude. It was miserable to ride, and became less powerful as I rode to higher elevations. Unfortunately, electronic fuel injection was still a bit of a novelty in motorbikes at that time.
     
    #3 KennyGS, May 3, 2014
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    how many miles on her? what was the battery level?
     
    #4 bisco, May 3, 2014
  5. CardiffChris

    CardiffChris Member

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    110,000 miles.
    The battery indicator was normal.
    It did charge and recharge normally.
    It seemed like the electric motor might have been overheated and wasn't responding
     
    #5 CardiffChris, May 3, 2014
  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    were you going uphill all day? how hard were you pushing her?
     
    #6 bisco, May 3, 2014
  7. CardiffChris

    CardiffChris Member

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    30 mile uphill from Tucson to 8th ft
    Not pushing it at all, 35 To 40 mph.
    Followed by 20 to 25 mph around a small town.
    The issue only lasted about 15 minutes.
     
    #7 CardiffChris, May 3, 2014
  8. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i know carburetors used to have to be adjusted for altitude, hard to believe with modern cars. maybe your right about the overheating. is tucson sea level? that's quite a hike!:eek:
     
    #8 bisco, May 3, 2014
  9. xpcman

    xpcman Senior Member

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    My best guess is an overheated battery. My 2010 did that on a very hot day when I descended a few thousand feet then parked the car for an hour. When I started back up the hill it was gut-less. Probably due to the car not wanting to use the battery. Stopped the car and when I restarted everything was back to normal. Two years later and its never happened again.
     
    #9 xpcman, May 3, 2014
  10. CardiffChris

    CardiffChris Member

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    I'm 450 miles into a 6000 mile journey.
    I hope this is just a fluke.
     
    #10 CardiffChris, May 3, 2014
  11. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    Have you completed your inverter recall?

    SM-N900P ?
     
    #11 JC91006, May 3, 2014
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