HELP! please

Well I've owned this little jewel (2002 prius) for almost two years now and it having some problems at 75k miles.
By my seat of the pants diagnosis is the ECU is confused. As the problem is the engine shuts down randomly at expressway or highway speeds. It does not seem to be getting consistent e-motor assistance unless I give enough throttle, much more than gentle accelleration. Under gentle throttle pressure it seems to be charging the battery.

But while cruising at speed the engine shuts down and is relying on the E-motor which is not enough to keep things rolling. Putting the accellerator down the engine will refire and keep going, but without E-motor assist.

I have kept the throttle at even pressure, but the vehicle slowed to the side of the road, without restarting until turning off the ignition and restarting. Then it goes along down the road.

Please help as I really would like to avoid the steelership.

Oh Yeah NO FAULT CODES???

 

I did check that. But to bring you all up to date on my pet prius Gavin. Well let me explain my pet name for the Prius. It came from the City of San Fransico with only 55k miles. Wasn't uses much by them in 17 years. So I named it Gavin after the infamous Gavin Newsom. Some may say he doesn't do much either. Well now Gavin doesn't do anything either.

I noticed some running problems in the past (shutting down). So I took it to the Hybrid doctor today. The report came back as the same as I mine with an OBDII scanner. No codes all good and batteries all in range. Picked it up and got about 2 miles. Then not only one but two TRIANGLES of DEATH lit up and it come to a slow roll and, well you know. On the slide-back tow truck and back to the Dr. I guess I will get another call in a couple of days. Should I see how much an indecent burial will be?

 

Well after the Death lite came on, there were codes. They are going to put an accelerator sensor in when received. He has quite the Russian accent so a little hard to communicate. He says 450 for a used one and 890 for a new one. I'm thinking bust loose for the new one and have no problems. I have a used one and it's the fail so. Evidently a very pricy item. I was quoted just over $700 at the local dealer and on line for Genuine Toy at around $500. Cheap car with very expensive parts, that are required. I think he's saying $890 installed and out the door, I hope. $890 plus labor on top time to tow it out I think. I can buy a lot of tools to add the shelf for that. As if I need more.

Is this a common problem with the GEN I? He seems to think a used one will be fine, but mine is not obviously. Spare time is not on my side to do a pick n pull run. And it will have to be calibrated to computer, so.

 

I just looked at some of the previous posts. I'm electing a new one. I'm gettin smoked for sure but. I

 

I will find out on Monday on how bad I'm getting smoked for this one. It's hard to communicate due to a language barrier with the shop. I think we're on the correct diagnosis, just not communicating on the estimate. $890 out the door for a new part is on the spot but $890 for the part plus labor is not going to swing well. I am going the new part rater than investing in the used one. He also mentioned that the part needed to be installed and then calibrated to the system. That part sounds like BS to me.

 

Ju with sensors just a quick update. I picked up a couple of throttles today with sensors as they come from Toyota for $500 to $700.

$18 and change at Pick n Pull. Here's what I think. Actual sensor looks just like other models of Toys. Just attached to the rest of the throttle peddle. High inventory of the throttle peddles alone, so attach a sensor to it and change the list price to $700.

The saying used to be "Get your hands on a Toyota." Now its more like You Toyota has hands in your wallet.

 

Well she's running again but, GAME ON!

Apparently I'm dealing with an unscrupulous repair facility. I picked it up today and went home and relaxed for a while had coffee. Went to look at the repair they did. Well not what expected. They put a used Throttle pedal sensor assembly in. Clearly I had asked for a new one rather than a used one. So off to California Bureau of Automotive repair. I could have had a chat with the shop but they clearly charged me for a new one, installed a used one and charged me for a new one. Carful out there in Sacramento CA.

Moral to the story?

 

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