Need help! Prius won't start, I will buy you diner:-)

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Jesus Serrato, Mar 10, 2015.

  1. Jesus Serrato

    Jesus Serrato Junior Member

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    Hello Everybody:)

    So here it goes... I bought this awesome 2008 prius at an auction, first mistake:) , it was wrecked from the left

    front but I got it repaired and even managed to start it a few times while moving it around at my friends shop

    after I got a key fob programmed to it since it didn't come with one. Now it just wont do anything, the display

    turns on and everything but it won't go in to ready mode. All of the lights on the dash are one except the hybrid

    triangle. We tried to put a computer but there are no codes, I checked the hybrid battery and it's good. Before I

    take it to the dealer or a certified hybrid mechanic I want to see if anybody might have any clue since I think

    and I hope it's something simple. Checked all the fuses under the dash and under hood. What else should I

    try? Any help is appreciated.
     
    #1 Jesus Serrato, Mar 10, 2015
  2. se-riously

    se-riously Active Member

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    Try jump starting using the terminals under the hood. If it goes into "ready" mode, your 12v battery is weak.
     
    #2 se-riously, Mar 10, 2015
  3. CLUBGUY

    CLUBGUY Member

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    Go to YOUTUBE and search jump starting a Prius....will show how and where to clip the jumper cables..
     
    #3 CLUBGUY, Mar 10, 2015
  4. uart

    uart Senior Member

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    Have you had the orange safety plug/switch disconnected in the back at any stage? It's an extremely easy mistake to make to have this safety plug not installed correctly. It's a two step procedure to re-plug it, and if you don't do it exactly right then you get the situation you describe above.
     
    #4 uart, Mar 10, 2015
  5. nh7o

    nh7o Off grid since 1980

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    There are definitely codes if there are warning lights, but if you only use a generic brand-x code reader, it will not see them. You have to use a Prius aware code reader. People doing crash repair definitely need to get the Mini VCI reader make sure the repair work has been done properly.
     
    #5 nh7o, Mar 10, 2015
  6. grhybrid

    grhybrid Junior Member

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    Since you have been able to start it prior to this situation, we can assume the safety plug is correctly installed. Not sure what you are trying to say about a computer? Did you install another one, if so, which one? If not, the 12 volt battery is highly suspect. A jump pack at the 12 volt battery or the jump connections at under hood fuse box will eliminate or confirm that as your problem. The voltage cannot fall below 11.2 volts or module issues will result, usually displayed as a no start. Auction vehicles are suspect of any number of things, a Techstream scanner in many cases is required to properly analyze and clear codes.
     
    #6 grhybrid, Mar 10, 2015
  7. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    can you return it to the auction house for false advertising? sounds like they misled you.
     
    #7 bisco, Mar 10, 2015
  8. Jesus Serrato

    Jesus Serrato Junior Member

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    Thank you very much it was the 12v battery. Please send me a private message to redeem your prize:) I honestly appreciate it.

    So now the car runs I had to replace the throttle body since it was bad. The problem now is with the braking system(basically if I barely press on the brakes it brakes pretty hard, low or high speed). It has pretty much all of the lights on including the brake but not the check engine light. I have put the wire at the bottom connector with the 4 and 13 connectors touching to get the flashing codes the lights give out but I have not found the definition so i'll post them here to see if anybody can let me know.

    ((!)) this one gives the code 2&6
    ABS gives flash code 2-4
    VSC code 5-4

    Any help will be truly appreciated and thanks everyone else that helped me with my first problem. Thank you
     
    #8 Jesus Serrato, Apr 17, 2015
  9. exstudent

    exstudent Senior Member

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    Donate your generic code reader. Pretty much worthless on a Prius.

    Get cheapest mini VCI from Amazon/eBay. Software version doesn't really matter, as you can find a more current version online somewhere if you plan to work on very late model Toyotas.

    Read this for more information on setting up Techstream and using the min VCI cable.
    TundraTalk.net - Toyota Tundra Discussion Forum - View Single Post - Offical TechStream software thread( settings and such)

    Whatever laptop you install this hacked copy of Techstream on, this should be a spare junker laptop to be only used for Toyota diagnosis. Assume the software has malware on it tracking all your keystrokes and reporting to some criminal organization trying to steal your identity/financial information; definitely do not use this laptop on websites that require log-in/password entries (email, banking, etc). Given this warning, the many Prius gurus here have had no problems/issues using the hacked Techstream software.
    One reason why you need mini VCI w/ Techstream is to bleed the brakes. Do NOT let anyone one bleed the brakes on your Prius, as the Prius is a unique braking system that REQUIRES Techstream to properly bleed the brakes.
    Don't cheap out. Get the official Toyota service/repair manuals (engine, mechanical, interior, exterior, electrical, essentially EVERYTHING), go to TIS
    Two days will cost you $15. Supposedly only business days are counted (remember reading this in other threads). If you start on a Friday 12:00:00 AM, you have until Monday 11:59:59 PM, to finish.

    Supposedly PDFs no longer available from TIS. Another Prius Chat member discovered how to make a CHM file into a PDF. Toyota TIS download tips | PriusChat
    This user downloaded both his Toyota cars over the course of his 2 business day subscription.
    Internet search "CHM to PDF." There appears to be all kinds of software (some free, some purchase) that will accomplish this. Be weary of free as it could contain malware.

    Good luck.
     
    #9 exstudent, Apr 18, 2015
  10. nh7o

    nh7o Off grid since 1980

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    Brake Control code 26: Rear Decreasing Pressure Solenoid RH Malfunction

    That says that the right rear pressure line falls below the criterion threshold. The problem could be in the brake actuator assembly (which is something that does fail, as seen in many posts), the Skid Control ECU (much more rare failure), or the wiring harness (damage to control wiring).

    ABS code 24 and VSC code 54 don't show in my lists, but it seems that is normal for these situations. The main problem will cause other undocumented codes to appear. The main DTC is the above. It may require replacement of the brake accumulator assembly, if that is the root cause. If you want to DIY this problem, the mini VCI is crucial to completion of the repair.
     
    #10 nh7o, Apr 18, 2015
    Last edited: Apr 18, 2015
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