Prius barely turns on, all problem lights light up, sounds like its accelerating then it turns off

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by chitgroza, Sep 29, 2023.

  1. chitgroza

    chitgroza New Member

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    2005 Prius
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    So the story goes I was out at night and left the cars AC running while I was in there, suddenly it turns off and does't turn back on. I assumed I needed a jumpstart so in the morning we kept attempting to do it and it just wasn't cutting it. found out the fusible link seemed to have melted down the middle so we got that replaced and done. it helped a little, we managed to turn it on for longer than a second, it would run but the engine sounds like it's accelerating and once it reaches some threshold the car would shake, the screen would just say problem and then turn itself off. We replaced the 12V battery with a brand new one. didn't do the trick neither. cleaned out the hybrid battery and replaced the bad ones. Nothing. checked every fuse, they're all fine. The car seems to only be able to turn itself on when the key is in the ignition and with a scan from my obd scanner it said the only problem was the actuator? We cleaned it, then replaced it with a good one, yet it still pops up saying it's the problem. Our final thoughts were it must be the cars computer because physically everything else seems fine. We replaced the ECU today. and the same problems persist. PLEASE help I don't have good luck with cars and I don't want to have to lose another.
     
    #1 chitgroza, Sep 29, 2023
  2. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    Have you tried getting professional help? The amount of time and money you've spent guessing at this, it's a really expensive way to fix a car.

    I would make sure you have a nice clean throttle body and then make sure there is fuel getting to it (put a few gallons into your gas tank)
     
    #2 JC91006, Sep 30, 2023
  3. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    try scanning with tech stream
     
    #3 bisco, Sep 30, 2023
  4. chitgroza

    chitgroza New Member

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    Oh yeah I got a really cheap actuator, and a free battery from warranty. But you're totally right, my next step was to get it towed for free and checked out by the dealership just to diagnose it. And that is what we cleaned, then we replaced it with our other prius' throttle body (which works fine) and it continued to pop up as a problem on our bluedriver scanner. Thanks for helping so fast btw I thought I'd have to wait days for a response
     
    #4 chitgroza, Oct 1, 2023
  5. chitgroza

    chitgroza New Member

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    Is this a different app? or scanner? and would I have to buy it?
     
    #5 chitgroza, Oct 1, 2023
  6. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    Did you also clean the MAF sensor while you removed the throttle body?
     
    #6 JC91006, Oct 1, 2023
  7. SFO

    SFO Senior Member

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    Welcome to PriusChat!!
    I don't believe that app/adapter is toyota hybrid compatible, but maybe it is?
    Yes, techstream is the dealer technician diagnostic software that runs on a windows device (or you can emulate).

    If the tech curve is too much (search is your friend), find a compatible device in this thread : Gen2 OBD2 app review | PriusChat

    FYI : you're moderated until you've posted 5 times.
     
    #7 SFO, Oct 1, 2023
  8. chitgroza

    chitgroza New Member

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    No I have not, will get back on that.
     
    #8 chitgroza, Oct 1, 2023
  9. chitgroza

    chitgroza New Member

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    thank you
     
    #9 chitgroza, Oct 1, 2023
  10. SFO

    SFO Senior Member

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    Did your scanner offer any OBD2 codes that you could post in this thread, without knowing the codes its mostly a guessing game.

    Free tows are great, and does the dealership offers free diagnostics (some have), if not then it might help to have an adapter that allows you the ability to run techstream. If you don't have access to a laptop or tablet with a usb port, then just read this post for other options : Gen2 OBD2 app review | Page 2 | PriusChat

    If you do have a laptop/pad with usb, buy a miniVCI clone or openport clone for $25. You can also spend more on higher quality adapters.

    This link can explain the difference : https://blog.obdii365.com/2022/07/13/mini-vci-vs-openport-for-toyota-techstream/

    If you end up going with the miniVCI cable, then read : https://blog.obdii365.com/2022/10/16/toyota-techstream-mini-vci-v1-4-1-vs-v2-0-4/

    If you end up going with the openport clone, then read : https://blog.obdii365.com/2022/03/23/how-to-choose-the-right-clone-tactrix-openport-2-0-j2534/
     
    #10 SFO, Oct 2, 2023
  11. chitgroza

    chitgroza New Member

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    The toyota dealership said it would be 200$ for a diagnosis. Are your options gonna read the same thing theirs will? and I do have a computer are you recommending the miniVCI over all of those?
     
    #11 chitgroza, Oct 2, 2023
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