Oil Spray = Dead Car / Wont Start. Help Troubleshooting

Hey all,

Longtime lurker, first time poster. Usually there's a thread for every common issue, this one... not so much.

I was topping off my oil for my 06 Prius before we drove from Phoenix to CA. Usually I burn 1.5 qts for every 5k miles. However, due to negligence, I forgot to put the oil cap back on.

Needless to say, I drove to CA, saw some oil dripping when I arrived, and found the cap lying in the hood. I put it back on, topped off with oil, and drove back. Everything was fine, just super messy.

After starting / stopping the car a few more times when we got back to AZ, the car will not start. The 12v is fine, lights come on, beeps come on, ECU Skid unit makes it's normal sound when you put your foot on the brake. But the button will just not work. I tried cleaning the engine compartment and replacing the spark plugs (recommended in another oil spill thread) to no avail.


I'm thinking something electrical had to have happened? I checked the fuses for the starter / ignition, and they are good. Could the oil have leaked on the Alternator or Starter? Just have no idea what to do at this moment.

Any ideas of what to check / try would be appreciated!

EDIT : I have had some combo meter issues in this car, maybe 1/5 starts. I also have a weird quirk where the car will NOT start with the key in the ignition, but only with the key in a pocket / drawer / nearby etc.

 

No codes because it won’t go into accessory mode or start.

the fob battery is fine b/c the lock and unlock buttons work and the car responds.

 

1.5 qts

 

I've only checked a few fuses under the hood relating to the ignition. I'll check them all tonight

 

Would a bad combo meter completely shut the car down? It used to run fine without it.

 

I've been driving with a bad combo meter for maybe 1-2 years now. It was only 1/10 drives before, then moved to like 1/5. I'll check the fuses soon. I've had steve repair two of my Prius' batteries before

 

Pulled every single fuse last night and tested with a meter... they're all good. Next best guess for everyone is a bad combo meter? All the lights, headlights, hazards, brake lights, etc work. Including on the dash : the turn signal lights, car with key logo

 

I've had a bad combo meter for 1.5 years or so. Usually comes on 4/5 times. It's "blacked out" now b/c the car wont start or go into accessory mode at all.

I just ordered a combo meter from Texas Hybrid Batteries. Fingers crossed it fixes it! If not, well I had to replace it anyway.