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Toyota Prius Engine Problems

54 messages,  Last post on Nov 04, 2009 at 11:24 PM

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What is this discussion about? Toyota Prius, Engine, Fuel System

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#45 of 54 Re: Runs Hard, Vibrates over 60mph (now 50) [dono0034] by pf_flyer HOST Mar 22, 2009 (6:16 am)
Replying to: dono0034 (Mar 22, 2009 6:09 am) Not sure what you mean by running hard, but anytime I hear about a vibration appearing at a certain speed I think about an out of balance tire/wheel. Since you just had a rotation done, a wheel weight could have been dislodged, or a tire might have some unusual wear that's now causing a problem once it got rotated from the back to the front of the car.   Can you give a few more details on "running hard"?
#46 of 54 Re: Lost of power while diving [cathie2] by Wool948 Mar 22, 2009 (10:37 am)
Replying to: cathie2 (Mar 21, 2009 10:35 am) Cathie2, thank you so very much for responding to my email, I will certainly mention it to the dealer.
#47 of 54 Re: Car WON"T START [chazz5] by kdhspyder May 23, 2009 (9:48 am)
Replying to: chazz5 (Mar 18, 2009 10:33 am) Yes this certainly is the solution. The KEY button turns off the 5 proximity sensors of the SKS ( in your manual early on ) including the sensor inside the vehicle that actives the engine when the SKS fob is inside.   You'd use this button also is you're going to leave the vehicle undriven for 4 weeks or more so that the 5 sensors don't run down the small 12v battery in the back. Upon your return you'll need to use the SKS fob as a normal keyless remote fob in order to get back into the vehicle, release the KEY button as you did, and reactivate the 5 sensors.
#48 of 54 Belt to water pump pulley keeps shredding by herikson Sep 01, 2009 (4:47 pm)
2005 Prius - Had a regular dealer service at 46k and they said the belt to the water pump pulley (the service invoice just says drive belt, v-ribbed) was cracked, needed to be replaced. 1000miles later the coolant flow control valve went bad. 200 miles later the belt shredded. Replaced belt, thermostat, coolant, did diagnostic - no further issues. I picked it up today and it didn't get 10 miles before apparently shredding the belt again. At least, when you look in the engine on the left side there's an obvious pulley and no belt was there. The engine really overheated and the same 3 warning lights came on - overheating. I'm having enormous problems getting the first service dept. to take responsibility. The national customer service is helping in baby steps. All this and I've got the top extended warranty but no one wants to just call the whole mess a warranty issue. Anyone have belt problems?
#49 of 54 Re: Car WON"T START [chazz5] by stevegold Sep 01, 2009 (7:32 pm)
Replying to: chazz5 (Mar 17, 2009 6:55 pm) You need a software upgrade for an old TSB. No charge. Computer misreading a sensor keeps the engine from starting and then the traction battery runs out 3-5 minutes later. Could happen at highway speeds. Got a lot of press four years ago. TSB=no problem. Replies to this message: jonnied (Nov 04, 2009 1:15 pm) jonnied (Nov 04, 2009 4:26 pm)
#50 of 54 Dealer suggesting battery & possible inverter replacement... by jonnied Nov 02, 2009 (11:32 am)
Vehicle: 2005 Toyota Prius Current Mileage: 187,000 Miles Dealer Proposed Action: Replace the recharable battery ($4,300), run diagnostic and possible replace Inverter for another $4,200)   Here’s my predicament… Where do I start...? I purchased a 2005 Toyota Prius New...it currently now has 157,000 miles on it. Was driving through the desert to Vegas and my light on the dash turn on (check engine light, vsc, red (!) ) and then my air con goes out...not good for a newborn in the car. Brought it to Fletcher Jones Toyota of LV. Told me that my Inverter water pump went out. $600 dollars later and back in Cali the next day...my lights turn on again. Take it to Hooman Toyota of Long Beach..stated that they just forgot to reset and didn't find anything. Same day in Corona, CA....light turn back on. Take it to Quality Toyota. Told me that the actual Inverter needs to be replaced for like $4k. I was hesitant and then drove it for about a month. On my way back from Van Nuys, lights turned back on and then I started to lose power on the freeway until it stopped completely. Weird thing was that a week prior to this occurring, when I was driving in San Diego, I noticed that the energy monitor was at full bars, which is very unusual; the newest development was that the engine would not turn, even at complete stops and the battery fan located near the rear seats will not turn off. After cooling the vehicle for a few minutes, it would start moving again, but would die out after a few miles…engine would have a high idle and then the car would no longer accelerate. I then got the Prius towed back to Quality Toyota of Corona expecting to get the inverter replaced, but after doing another diagnosis, they told me that the rechargeable battery need to be replaced. They also mentioned that they will not know if the inverter needs to be replaced until they replace the battery, run a new scan and if it shows that the inverter comes up faulty, then I will need to replace the inverter as well. I contacted Toyota about the issue and since I surpassed the 150k miles, they cannot warranty neither the inverter nor the battery. The battery alone is about $4,400 w/tax and labor and another $4k plus tax for the inverter. Not sure if the prius is worth saving at $8,400…even if I do have a carpool sticker. Any thoughts or suggestions on what just might be happening for Toyota seem to be very questionable about their diagnosis. Any assistance is greatly appreciated!!!
#51 of 54 Re: Lost of power while diving [cathie2] by jonnied Nov 02, 2009 (2:50 pm)
Replying to: cathie2 (Mar 21, 2009 10:35 am) Hey Cathie 2...I just posted for the first time for I had the same exact issue and I was trying to see if any other ppl had the same issues. If you read my post earlier, I have a 2005 Toyota Prius w/ 158k miles on it. The first time I got it diagnosed, they told me that it was the inverter and that it would cost $4k for a new one. I waited for about a month for I was skeptical and then my car did the same thing yours did...it hiccuped a bit then the engine idled and then slowed down and died. The only addition I had to this was that a week prior, the engine was hiccuping, but also the engine stayed on...even at stops and in traffic...the battery cooling fan stayed on and never shut down. I got my vehicle towed to the dealerhship and I was prepared to pay the $4k for the inverter, but they did another diagnosis and told me it was not for sure the recharable battery. That alone will cost $4,200 plus tax...then they will re diagnosis the vehicle and see if the inverter is still needed.   SO PLEASE...if you have been diagnosed with another or cheaper way than my diagnosis...then I am all ears! Hope your diagnosis works for you and then I can try that vs doing my route.   Also if you are under 150k....Toyota should warranty the recharable battery & I think 100k for the inverter...so if it is...you might want to relay this to the dealer and see if this can get replaced on your vehicle. Hope this helped!
#52 of 54 Re: Car WON"T START [stevegold] by jonnied Nov 04, 2009 (1:15 pm)
Replying to: stevegold (Sep 01, 2009 7:32 pm) Thanks for the heads up steve. I looked into that as well...so I went with the lesser evils vs swapping out the battery. I took cathie2's advice and getting the crankshaft sensor replaced for 300 bucks and then getting the software updgrade for 100 bucks. Since I am over the 100k, they won't offer the free upgrade. they told me if I replace the battery, then they will install the upgrade for free.   Well if this fixes the problem, then Toyota HQ will hear an earful for I have an open case with them about this situation. My service director indicated that those were not the issue and that the codes pointed to the battery and inverter replacement. Will find out today.   Thanks for the reply and will keep you posted if it works or not.
#53 of 54 Re: Car WON"T START [stevegold] by jonnied Nov 04, 2009 (4:26 pm)
Replying to: stevegold (Sep 01, 2009 7:32 pm) Hi Steve, Just got the update...replaced the camshaft sensor and got the software upgrade...the tech actually thought it did the trick, but after a few miles and going up a hill...car started to hiccup again and flashed the dash. When he got back, codes were saying that it was still the recharable battery. Well it was a $400 dollar experiment, but was alot better than hitting that $4k initial price tag. Any other thoughts or suggestions are duely appreciated. Thanks, JON
#54 of 54 system upgraded & camshaft sensor replaced but.... by jonnied Nov 04, 2009 (11:24 pm)
Recently got a system upgrade for my '05 prius w/157k miles on it. Also got the camshaft sensor replaced. It sort of worked... Toyota Tech is telling me that lights came back on and still reporting that the battery needs replacing.   I did a test run tonight and ran the car for over an hour at 80mph. Hiccuped a few times during acceleration, but held all the way. The main difference is that my energy moniter is acting more normal. Before the service, it was at fully green capacity...to the top for an entire week...not much power being transferred to assist the engine. That is now in the blue range which is working good.   The same or bad thing is that my engine continues to run while I am at a complete stop...a really slow idle, but never turns off any more. The other issue is that my recharable battery cooling fan in the back seat does not turn off. I am still contemplating on switching out the battery....I am also considering doing an aftermarket upgrade that will give me the first 60 miles on electric and then shift it over to the hybrid side...more costly, but feels like i'm tossing away my 4k with another toyota battery. PLUS, thier warranty for the battery is unlimited miles for up to one year. What happend to the 100k warranty...so if this fails after a year again, then I'm back to square one. Sorry...just venting because this is the fourth dealer I went to...all with different outcomes....prius techs or just people guessing at the codes that pop up on the screen...your guess is as good as mine!

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