"Check engine" light on/Dashbord doesn't light up

1. The Prius has four possible operating modes: IG-OFF (where the car is powered off), ACC-ON (where the radio can be played and the MFD is on), IG-ON (where all warning lights in the combination meter turn on), and READY (when the car can be driven.) You can cycle through the first three modes by repeatedly pressing the POWER button (without depressing the brake pedal). Then to make the car READY, press the brake pedal as you depress the POWER button.
2. If the car can be driven, then it is in READY mode, whether or not the combination meter is operating.
3. The POWER button shows a green light when the car is ACC-ON, an amber light when the car is IG-ON, and the light is off when the car is either IG-OFF or READY.
4. Check all engine compartment fluids, especially engine oil level. If they are good and the car can be driven, then you can drive the car to your local Toyota dealer service dept for replacement of the combination meter tomorrow morning.

 

Then you are good to go after you verify that all engine compartment fluids are at a correct level. I'm assuming that you have sufficient fuel in the fuel tank to get the car to your local dealer.

 

The display in front of the dash that shows you the speed, fuel gauge, gear selection, the READY light as well as all the warning lights is called the "combination meter". It has been established that your combination meter is not functioning, therefore you will NOT see the ready light. The fact you cannot see the READY light does not mean you car is not ready to drive. Once you have pressed the START button once with your foot on the brake and the LED light on the START button goes out (maybe you hear the 4 quick beeps), try moving the gear selector to R or D, take the brake off, press the accelerator and see if the car moves in the direction commensurate with the gear you selected. If the car will drive, then it is in READY, whether you see the READY light or not.

If the car moves, then you can drive it to the dealer (as Patrick said above) to have your combination meter replaced.

Hope that helps (hope this helps).

 

the engine will fire up if the battery starts the car. might take 10-20 secondswhat are you trying to charge the battery with?

 

Thanks we all try. 75% is dead 12 volt batteries.

While your at the dealer make sure they pull the check engine code the car has logged and post it back here.
It should be on the receipt. That will tell us what
The engine issue is. They may charge you a diagnostic
Fee but the TSB ARE FREE. $125 and money well spent.

And make sure all the TSBS for the car haver been performed like steering repair and inverter pump
And shaving the pedal and combo meter.

 

If the car starts, there is no need to jump it. You are just risking 4 figure damage if you get it wrong.

 

TSB= Technical Service Bulletin

If your check engine light comes on at startup and then goes out then this is just normal startup system check but looks odd because most of your other lights are out.

Normally when you first start the car all of the warning lights cycle on and then go out. This is normal. If the check engine light stays on then you have a DTC (diagnostic trouble code) logged and there is a potential problem that will need to be diagnosed. If the CEL (check engine light) goes out there is no problem.

 

Technical service bulletin. Its basivly recall notices of what needs to be replaced by the factory at the dealer.
No charge.
Ever get any Toyota recall notices in the mail?
If not you are not in there system.

The receipt should say customer requests all tsbs
Performed. And then they will all be listed.

Yes I would pay the $125 and find out what's wrong
With the engine. Unless you really don't mind being stranded somewhere. Many a knucklehead on this forum has destroyed there engine. Its about $2000 for a used engine installed at Indy mechanic.
Double that for a dealer.

Also have them check the hybrid battery health particularly the Delta of that battery. Report it back here.

Or.....you could go to Toyota.com/owners and join then enter your VIN and any and all TSBS will be listed there.

Anything done on the car by a Toyota dealer will show up there.

 

TSB is an acronym for Technical Service Bulletin.

Back in Post #10 JC linked to a Luscious Garage blog post that in turn links to Read/download the Toyota combination meter TSB. Download it, print it, read it and take it with you to your Toyota dealer in case they start getting argumentative. You will see from the bulletin that it is a no questions asked repair.

 

Put it in D, move a couple feet, put it in P and then immediately try to power off. It may take several tries. It will eventually turn off.

 

If you are cycling through the modes, then the car is not in READY. The problem is the CM (combination meter) is dark when READY, so you will not see anything when it turns off. Just press the brake pedal and then press the START button once wait for the 4 beeps, then press the START button once more (foot on or off the brake, makes no difference) and your car will be off.

 

Phew. The sooner you get it to the service center the better!

 

Hold the POWER button down for several seconds, and the car should move to IG-OFF.

If necessary, accept the upfront charge. Once the dealer tech confirms that the combination meter needs to be replaced, you should not be charged - unless your car has another problem besides the combination meter.