ICE cutting out on acceleration, skid light.

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by alec, Mar 30, 2015.

  1. alec

    alec Junior Member

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    On the last couple of journeys there has been intermittent loss of power / acceleration that seems to be the ICE cutting in / out (under acceleration). Skid light comes on as the ICE cuts out. Fault seems to disappear after 5 min or so driving. 12v battery is under par, but I believe shouldn't cause this problem.
    Any suggestions before I take it to a dealer for a Code check? PS I have just put the 50mph spare tyre on the front, but that shouldn't cause this problem either! (24k miles on clock).
     
    #1 alec, Mar 30, 2015
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    12 volt can be the cause of just about any problem. think of trying to power your computer a few volts under the minimum.
     
    #2 bisco, Mar 30, 2015
  3. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

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    Because that spare tire isn't the same size, it spins at a slightly different rate that the others, and can trick the VSC into thinking that something is slipping. Get the primary tire fixed or replaced, and get that spare back into the trunk.

    Or, at least get that spare off the front, shifting it to the rear.
     
    #3 fuzzy1, Mar 30, 2015
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    ah. not the 12v or the mini donut which should not be on the front.
     
    #4 bisco, Mar 30, 2015
  5. alec

    alec Junior Member

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    Thanks. I've ordered tyres and will replace battery.
     
    #5 alec, Mar 30, 2015
  6. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    Did you inflate that tire to 60 psi? If the tire is underinflated, that means that wheel will spin faster than the other tires which will cause the skid control ECU considerable heartburn and shut down drivetrain power.
     
    #6 Patrick Wong, Mar 30, 2015
  7. alec

    alec Junior Member

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    I did. First stop - new tyres.
     
    #7 alec, Mar 31, 2015
  8. alec

    alec Junior Member

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    I have read that the 12v battery's job is done when the ready light comes on - the DC/DC converter / traction battery takes over, and the 12v could (in theory) be disconnected. So less likely to be the battery causing this problem?
     
    #8 alec, Mar 31, 2015
  9. john1701a

    john1701a Prius Guru

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    The small spare is for emergency use only, to allow you to get to a safe place for replacement. It is not intended as a substitute... with any type of vehicle, Prius included. The vehicle will not perform as well with a mismatch like that. So, it should be no surprise warnings are being triggered.
     
    #9 john1701a, Mar 31, 2015
  10. alec

    alec Junior Member

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    I've replaced front tyres. Return journey ok. On the way to garage, the symptoms were (for first 5 mins) constant skid warning. Almost no acceleration. ICE cutting in / out. Symptoms stopped when the traction battery was getting low, at which point the ECU seemed to say ' if we don't get this ICE started now, the traction battery will go flat', and from that point the car behaved normally (no skid light / normal acceleration). Similar to when the engine cuts in at the end of EV mode.
    Fingers crossed problem solved.
     
    #10 alec, Mar 31, 2015
  11. alec

    alec Junior Member

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    After a few more journeys - problem definitely solved with new tyres. Thanks again.
     
    #11 alec, Apr 1, 2015
    fuzzy1 and Tony D like this.
  12. alekska

    alekska Active Member

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    Your spare is exactly the problem. It is of a slightly different diameter than standard tire and causes traction computer to cut the acceleration. Also, I would never put doughnut spare on front - I would spend extra time but switch with rear.
    Alex
     
    #12 alekska, Apr 1, 2015
  13. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Maybe 2nd gen with its touchy traction control is making things worse, too. I drove maybe 10 km on temp spare with our 3rd gen with nothing untowards. Maybe helped it was on rear too, but still the same diameter differentials at play, I would think.
     
    #13 Mendel Leisk, Apr 1, 2015
  14. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    A few years ago my wife was driving the 2004 and she hit debris on the road which caused the right front tire to blow. I was riding along and installed the compact spare at that position. There was no problem driving at speeds of up to 60 mph. We bought a pair of tires to replace the failed tire plus another tire with the lowest tread depth, the following day.
     
    #14 Patrick Wong, Apr 1, 2015
  15. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

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    And thanks also for coming back with the confirmed solution. That helps tune the forum's advice for future questions.
     
    #15 fuzzy1, Apr 1, 2015
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