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help guessing my 2008 prius problem.

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by fyc2001, May 6, 2016.

  1. fyc2001

    fyc2001 Junior Member

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    I changed timing belt and water pump DIY back in Oct 2015. Ever since then, I get rough idling (car kind of vibrate and engine kind of struggling) after warm start (no problem with cold starts, it did stall once after the warm start).
    two days ago, I got a P0000 code, I thought it was due to low oil (happened before, I topped off oil 2500 miles ago), so I changed oil and filter. No problem yesterday, but today on my way to work. I got the p0000 code again.

    I am not sure they are related or not, my 08 prius has close to 140,000 miles. I like to drive it a few more years. But the rough idle is having me worried about possible major engine issue.

    any possible tips? TIA
     
    #1 fyc2001, May 6, 2016
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    probably not related, but is the tension correct on the serpentine belt, and all the air bled out of the coolant?
     
    #2 bisco, May 6, 2016
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  3. M in KC

    M in KC Active Member

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    What are you using to retrieve the DTC P0000?
     
    #3 M in KC, May 6, 2016
  4. fyc2001

    fyc2001 Junior Member

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    scangauge II
     
    #4 fyc2001, May 6, 2016
  5. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    No Prius has a timing belt.
     
    #5 JimboPalmer, May 6, 2016
  6. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    You need a real diagnostic tool such as Mini VCI. P0000 is not a valid DTC.
     
    #6 Patrick Wong, May 6, 2016
  7. M in KC

    M in KC Active Member

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    Do a quick search but I believe a DTC of P0000 from Scangauge II, is not a valid DTC for your Prius. You will likely have to find another code reader compatible with the Pir's ECU's or take it to a dealer for them to scan.
     
    #7 M in KC, May 6, 2016
  8. S Keith

    S Keith Senior Member

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    Oscillation overthruster likely needs adjustment.
     
    #8 S Keith, May 6, 2016
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  9. fyc2001

    fyc2001 Junior Member

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    Update, problem solved.

    Saturday night, on the way to shop I felt the engine jerking while driving a bit. On the way back, the jerking became constant on the highway and local roads, sounded like engine was "choking and dying". The code displayed was P0304.
    I googled it and purchased ignition coil/ignitor Sunday morning, removed the ignitor #4, tested it by switch it out with new ignitor and #3 ignitor. sure enought, it was the bad ignitor #4, it looked ok, except on the side there was a white worn rubber/plastic patch about 3mm wide.

    Now my prius is good as before the timing belt change 5-6 months ago. no warm start jerking.
     
    #9 fyc2001, May 9, 2016
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  10. ericbecky

    ericbecky Hybrid Battery Hero

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    Awww, dang! Too late to the party.
    I was hoping to throw my random guess in based on the lack of information.
    I like a good guessing game.
     
    #10 ericbecky, May 9, 2016
  11. S Keith

    S Keith Senior Member

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    I'm sticking with the above.
     
    #11 S Keith, May 9, 2016
  12. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    And again, there is no timing belt on any Prius.
     
    #12 JimboPalmer, May 9, 2016
  13. S Keith

    S Keith Senior Member

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    Sure there is. It's what spins the oscillation overthruster.
     
    #13 S Keith, May 9, 2016
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  14. fyc2001

    fyc2001 Junior Member

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    problem got worst. A lot worst.
    So 10 days ago, I thought I fixed the knocking/ rough idling after warm start after changing one of the ignitors. The problem went away for a few days. Exactly one week ago, I drove from NYC to NC and back to NYC (1200miles) over little under 24 hours (I picked some items from govdeals auction site if you are wondering). Anyways, I could feel the engine was "acting" up a bit with jerking at 60-75 mph highway speed. but it was not bad. The jerking/rough engine progressive got a lot worst, with sometimes P0000 code (not the P030x specific cylinder misfire codes), sometimes flashing CEL with no codes for the last 3 days. I switched out rest of the ignitors tonight, but engine is constantly knocking/rough now. I have no idea what to do? i googled, thought maybe I overfilled the oil, but the oil change was 1000 miles ago. I am inclined to change sparking plugs next (I changed them a year ago). Maybe fuel injector? Does autozone has toyota CAN code readers?

    TIA
     
    #14 fyc2001, May 19, 2016
  15. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    they can read some codes. if no luck, you'll have to go to toyota. how many miles on her?
     
    #15 bisco, May 19, 2016
  16. S Keith

    S Keith Senior Member

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    Definitely.
     
    #16 S Keith, May 19, 2016
  17. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

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    The motor is blown that's why its knocking. Damaged piston rod bearings and oil scavenge rings due to lack of oil. Only have to run the oil low enough on a Prius to turn on the check engine light to pretty much toast the motor.
    We have seen alot of these lately. High mileage poorly maintained motors that have been run low on oil.
    Really tough little motor.
     
    #17 edthefox5, May 19, 2016
  18. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    1. Get Mini VCI so that you know what the actual DTC is. If the check engine light is on, then DTC definitely have been logged. P0000 is not a valid code, which shows you the scanner you are using is inadequate.
    2. Did you install the correct iridium spark plugs from either NGK or Denso when you replaced the plugs a year ago? If you used some cheap substitute, that is not helping the current misfire problem.
    3. Have you cleaned the throttle body interior and the mass air flow sensor yet?
    4. Are you using the correct Toyota spark igniters, or some generic substitute?
    5. If the misfire problem comes and goes, then the problem is not a mechanical issue. Have you checked the wiring harness connectors to all igniters, fuel injectors, mass air flow sensor, etc.?
     
    #18 Patrick Wong, May 19, 2016
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