Temporary Flashing check engine light

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Jeff O'Connor, Oct 24, 2018.

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  1. Jeff O'Connor

    Jeff O'Connor Junior Member

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    Temporary flashing check engine light when starting, blinks maybe six times before engine starts.
    When gas engine kicks in, it turns off. No error code on ODB scanner.... thoughts? help! Thanks all..
     
    #1 Jeff O'Connor, Oct 24, 2018
  2. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

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    Only thing I have heard that makes the check engine light turn on and off intermittently is your out of engine oil.
     
    #2 edthefox5, Oct 24, 2018
  3. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

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    Which usually damages the engine.
     
    #3 edthefox5, Oct 24, 2018
  4. SFO

    SFO Senior Member

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    How many miles does this vehicle currently have?

    What make and model is the OBD2 scanner?
     
    #4 SFO, Oct 24, 2018
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  5. srellim234

    srellim234 Senior Member

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    Double check which light you're referring to. That is the behavior of the "MAINT REQD" light starting at 4500 miles, letting you know the 5000 mile maintenance is due soon. There are no codes because there is nothing wrong. It should be reset after every 5000 mile service. In 4500 miles it will flash like that again.
     
    #5 srellim234, Oct 24, 2018
    Last edited: Oct 24, 2018
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  6. SFO

    SFO Senior Member

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    ^^^ If it was the "MAINT REQD" light that started flashing at 4500 miles, it will stay in a steady "ON" state once it hits 5k miles.
     
    #6 SFO, Oct 24, 2018
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  7. srellim234

    srellim234 Senior Member

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    Yes, it will. The OP gives no indication as to how long it's been flashing so it may not have been flashing for 500 miles yet. Your note about the flashing light becoming a solid light is good information for someone not familiar with how the system works. (y)
     
    #7 srellim234, Oct 25, 2018
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  8. Jeff O'Connor

    Jeff O'Connor Junior Member

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    Sorry all,excuse my lack of deep system knowledge, I'm workin' on it - it surely wasn't blinking for 500 miles...before going solid.
    I brought it in to a Toyota service shop. They hooked it up to the big system to look. They checked it out. No issues. I was asking them on the phone, and they'd say you don't have a "MAINT REQD" light on. I got in the car, started it - "MAINT REQD" light is on. After getting it home, I thought why don't I try to reset it myself?, the darn thing turned off, and hasn't come back.
    Thank You all for you input.
     
    #8 Jeff O'Connor, Nov 13, 2018
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  9. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    time to change the oil, check the filters and rotate the tires?
     
    #9 bisco, Nov 14, 2018
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