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Toyota Prius Engine Problems

104 messages,  Last post on Dec 19, 2012 at 7:10 PM

You are in the Toyota Prius Maintenance & Repair Forum.

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

Messages Page 2 of 11

#11 of 104 Similar Problem ... Gas Engine won't start by h_2b_a

Jan 29, 2007 (9:56 pm)

My girlfriend has a similar problem with her 2003 Toyota Prius. We're in Missouri and during winter and especially cold weather (usually when it is below freezing) the electric motor appears to be turning on, but the gas engine will not turn over. She's taken it to a dealer a few times, but they keep telling her that once they reset the computer the problem is fixed. However, once the temperature begins to drop again, the same thing happens.
 
I was wondering if anyone is familar with any sensor or starter/battery problems that would prohibit the gas motor from turning over in cold weather.

#12 of 104 Stalling problems at startup from complete stop by priusrik

Jan 06, 2007 (7:58 am)

#13 of 104 Stalling problems at startup from complete stop by priusrik

Dec 29, 2006 (9:25 pm)

I have a Toyota Prius 2005 (which I love) - with 19,000 miles - which has had a "stalling" problem at take off - on three occasions. It happens like this:
I'm stopped at a light. It turns green and I try to take off - but the Prius won't go faster than about 10 miles an hour - and a Yellow "car shaped" icon lit up (just below the temperature light). The last time I went about 1/2 block at 10 miles/hour - when it suddenly took off and accelerated normally - and the yellow light went off. It handled normally until I got home. We then called the Toyota dealer who said to bring it in. We didn't drive the vehicle until the time we took it in. The dealer service dept didn't find any problems - no "obd II codes" set in. They said that it was probably just the "traction control" kicking in (supposedly that was what the yellow "car" icon meant). They surmised that we had hit a patch of ice. I questioned the service manager for several minutes - telling him that there was no ice - I hadn't heard the brakes pulsing - and it went on for about 1 minute (an awfully long patch of ice). There were no codes retrievable.
 
So - any ideas out there? I doubt that it was ice (we do live in Minnesota - but haven't seen that much ice). Was it a software glitch? (I've been a software designer/developer for 35 years and have caused more than my share of bugs). I have read in some of these forums about having to "reboot" - power cycle the vehicle to clear up similar problems. However, - it has cleared up spontaneously for me. Thanks in advance....

#14 of 104 92 paseo stalling by tjc005

Jan 06, 2007 (7:58 am)

I have a 92 Paseo with 84,000 miles. Once engine warms up, the car will stall out when car comes to idle speed. It always starts back up. I had car tuned up which helped for a very short time, but it is back to stalling out. It is my first car so I don't have alot of money to pay the mechanics to continue to guess at the problem. Maybe if I can throw some ideas their way it would help. Has anyone ever had these similar issues?

#15 of 104 Re: Stalling problems at startup from complete stop [priusrik] by stevedebi

Jul 10, 2007 (11:58 am)

Replying to: priusrik (Dec 29, 2006 9:25 pm)
"So - any ideas out there? I doubt that it was ice (we do live in Minnesota - but haven't seen that much ice). Was it a software glitch?"
 
The early 2nd Gen had a software problem that sometimes caused people to be stranded. It was fixed, but maybe your model doesn't have the fix?
 
I started a thread a couple of years ago for Prius Software errors; the thread is closed but you can still view it.

#16 of 104 2004 Prius won't start. Help! by stevegold

Jul 16, 2007 (3:48 am)

I'm stuck in front of my house. All dash lights come on including the big red triangle and the car/lock icon but the ready light is not on and the car won't go.
If I power off, the P,B,D,R cluster stays on, without the READY light, as does the big screen which displays "CAUTION - Transmission "P" lock mechanism is abnormal. Park in a flat place and apply brake."

#17 of 104 Re: 2004 Prius won't start. Help! [stevegold] by pathstar1

Jul 16, 2007 (7:23 am)

Replying to: stevegold (Jul 16, 2007 3:48 am)
Sounds like the parking pawl is jammed. It it on a hill? If so, apply some force against the hill (push the car up the hill, apply parking brake) and try again.

#18 of 104 Re: 2004 Prius won't start. Help! [stevegold] by stevegold

Jul 16, 2007 (8:47 am)

Replying to: stevegold (Jul 16, 2007 3:48 am)
I couldn't do anything in the dark last night so I purposely left the lights on to fully discharge the small battery. This morning, I jumped the small battery, using the easy to get at terminal under the front hood. It started right up like normal. (It probably re booted the various micro processors.) I will have Toyota check the error codes later this week.
If it didn't start this morning, I was going to disconnect the battery (in the back, right side) to force a re boot. I think because I let the battery run out, that wasn't necessary this time.
This could have been a major problem if my wife was using the car and/or was out of town.
I will downgrade my Prius from the best car I've ever owned to just OK because of this. (unless Toyota has a good explanation or there was a service bulletin that I did not take care of.

#19 of 104 2007 6,000 miles and won't start by co2diet

Dec 03, 2007 (6:03 pm)

You can sense my outrage. Traded in my completely reliable 2000 Honda Civic for a more responsible Prius and now it won't start after a measly 6,000 miles.
 
All the dash lights go on, including the check engine (I got an oil change etc at the recommended 5,000 miles) and nothing happens. Had it towed and of course did not hear from the dealership all day.
 
I'm sorry I didn't buy another Honda. What I want is reliability AND responsibility.

#20 of 104 Re: 2007 6,000 miles and won't start [co2diet] by stevegold

Dec 04, 2007 (7:06 am)

Replying to: co2diet (Dec 03, 2007 6:03 pm)
Sorry to hear about your problem. Kindly post what happens here when it's finally fixed. I have had 2 or 3 similar experiences but was able to get them cleared myself without being towed but not without a lot of stress.

Messages Page 2 of 11

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