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will not go when pressing the gas pedal at first

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by rmanbike, Sep 27, 2016.

  1. rmanbike

    rmanbike Junior Member

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    I have a 2010 with 49,000 miles and this has happened before, I press the gas pedal as normal to take off but nothing happens, I keep pressing down more then all of a sudden it will take off. It happened today, Then again about 4 times when trying to take off. and I was near my toyota dealer and drove over. The dealer said sometimes the computer doesnt know if it is in or should be electric drive or gas drive, thus the lag.
    Has anyone else experience this. They also said if the battery gets too low can cause this, as today I was sitting in it awhile, motor off with ac on. Battery was down to 2 bars.
     
  2. Maarten28

    Maarten28 Active Member

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    Is this from standstill? Are you sure the hill hold is not active (gets activated by depressing the brake pedal fully).
    How long does it take to start moving? Is this a fraction of a second or more like a second?
    The only times I experience hesitation is when I'm driving at slow to moderate speed (behind a slow vehicle) and press the accelerator to overtake. Then there is a slight hesitation before the Prius makes up its mind what to do, like what your dealer said.
    But never from standstill.
     
  3. gmcneil05

    gmcneil05 Member

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    I would say your battery is warm along with being at a low state of charge it will act like this. If you pay attention as you smoothly press the accelerator pedal the car will accelerate in stages as if you were pressing the pedal down then holding then pressing more then holding. I believe it is the computers trying not to use anymore energy from the battery then it has to so it can bring the state of charge up and the temperature down. I have a scangauge on my car and being from Florida sometimes the battery will be over 120 degrees just from sitting in the sun. Seeing how you're in Mississippi it could also be your issue.
     
  4. rmanbike

    rmanbike Junior Member

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    This only happens from a dead standstill. If I press the pedal as normal it would never go at all. Actually the pedal had more than normal resistance, like a hydraulic feeling to it. Only until I pressed it much more is when it accelerated rapidly. You know when you drive a car for 50000 miles you pretty much know what to expect.
    I need to update my profile, living in NC now, was in the 80's that day. The discharge from the battery was bit before, but for about 5 miles or so after the battery was low is when this no-go started. I dont think I ever used the hill hold, actually had forgotten all about it. But it should release as soon as you press the gas pedal.
     
  5. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    does it creep when you take your foot off the brake? maybe your brakes are dragging.
     
  6. rmanbike

    rmanbike Junior Member

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    thanks but thats not it, because you could feel the brakes holding you back. Just about 99% sure its in the computer when first starting off that one drive is thinking the other drive is working when in actuality neither one is working or the electric drive is malfunctioning
     
  7. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i would think you'd have a code, if that were the case.
     
  8. AzWxGuy

    AzWxGuy Weather Guy

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    Could be in the pedal. What do you suppose they use down there, FSR, capacitive, precision potentiometer? Corrosion in the connector plug or socket? Car ever been flooded? Intermittents are always difficult to diagnose.
     
  9. CathyC

    CathyC Junior Member

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    Guess what? I have exact same problem.
    Went today to Toyota dealership and they want $3500 for a brake actuator. He thinks it not covered in powertrain warranty that I was given by dealer. The salesman told me that about everything but battery was covered!
    My problem started a few weeks ago. It is always from when I am still like at stop signs or stop lights.
    At stop lights, light turns green, I press accelerator and it won't move. I have to push it over and over usually 3-4 times. I have not counted how many seconds but I about miss the light. Probably at least 5 seconds or more. No code.
    Also now it's doing it when I start my car, put it in reverse and it won't budge.
    It feels as though my emergency brake is on and when I press the gas it just won't move.
    He is checking with the warranty company Monday. I've read all about problems with 2010 Prius and 2012 Tacoma and Lexus but it appears they aren't admitting a problem with 2012 Prius, I only have 63k on my car and I'm very disappointed that Toyota would do like this at this mileage especially. I bet I'm not the only one with this problem on a 2012. If it's not covered I will be calling not only Toyota but the national safety people too! By the way my son in law has a 2010 Prius. I keyed in his vin number and no recall came up about the brake actuator but you can read all about it online.
     
    #9 CathyC, Oct 1, 2016
    Last edited: Oct 1, 2016
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  10. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    bummer, how many miles on her?
     
  11. CathyC

    CathyC Junior Member

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    63,500. So disappointing to me. Expected better than this from Toyota,
     
  12. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    yes, that is frustrating. i would call toyota monday morning. hopefully, they will at least help with the cost. first i've heard of it on a 2012.
     
  13. CathyC

    CathyC Junior Member

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    my feeling is if they are having battery actuator problems in multiple cars and years, obviously there is a problem with the battery actuators.
    That is not my fault and I shouldn't have to pay for
    their faulty equipment failure. I could have bought a cheaper car than a Toyota Prius but I thought I was investing in a quality car from a company that stands behind their cars. I am not wealthy and took 10k out of my retirement savings to help me afford it. Surely I am not the only 2012 Prius with this issue. I hope my husbands Tundra doesn't malfunction too. The service writer said it's not because it's a hybrid.
     
  14. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    there is an extended warranty on older actuators, due to so many expensive failures. plug your vin into the toyota owners site, it will show any recalls. but as i said, i haven't heard of any problems with the 12. i'm sure there must be some though.
     
  15. CathyC

    CathyC Junior Member

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    Nothing there , not even the air bag issue is there but toyota service advisor says it's going to be recalled. I even put in my son-in-laws Prius 2010 and the brake actuator didnt gone up yet 2010 model is documented and was on NBC news about recall. There were some 2010 model recalls on there.
     
  16. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Seems like every damn thing on the car costs $3500. :mad:
     
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  17. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    another route might be a local mech and a used part.
     
  18. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i already got the airbag notification by mail, did you?
     
  19. CathyC

    CathyC Junior Member

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    no but the service advisor told me a recall is coming out on it
     
  20. CathyC

    CathyC Junior Member

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    no but the service advisor told me a recall is coming out on the airbag issue