1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

2002 Prius possible immobiliser issue?

Discussion in 'Generation 1 Prius Discussion' started by cozzb, May 7, 2018.

  1. cozzb

    cozzb Junior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 3, 2004
    5
    0
    0
    Bought a 2002 prius and was going to use it for parts for my other 2002 but it turns out it is in better shape than my car. In an attempt to get the new car running to see what is exactly wrong with it, I am having an issue that appears to be ignition or immobiliser related. The car came to me with no 12v battery. It has 192K. I bought it from a guy who scraps cars and does not know the history. I did enter the VIn on toyotas site and noticed the ignition cylinder was replaced about 2years ago. It has a current inspection. It is a one owner car.

    I put my 12 volt battery in from my disabled car which has been on the trickle charger and measures 13 volts.
    With the battery hooked up it acts as if there is not battery attached. Key on engine off nothing lights up, windows, headlights wipers, radio nothing until I start the car.

    After it starts the ice runs for about 2 seconds and cuts off. The dash is lit up and all accessories work except for the radio and center mfd screen and dome light. After about 10 seconds the parking lights flash about 2x and the horn toots and all power everything goes out in the whole car. If you happen to touch the horn it sounds and does not stop sounding until you disconnect the 12 volt battery. I am posting a video of this. Any ideas? If I cannot resolve it I will just transfer parts to my other car but I would love to get this one running as its in better shape with less miles.
     
    #1 cozzb, May 7, 2018
  2. dabard051

    dabard051 Tinkerer-in-Charge

    Joined:
    May 19, 2009
    251
    93
    0
    Location:
    Rochester, NY USA
    Vehicle:
    2002 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Hello, and welcome. That the car starts says that the immobilizer is happy with the code it reads from the key you use in the ignition, so I think you can cross that off your list. If the immobilizer were unhappy, you would get no engine start at all. What it sounds like is a problem with the HV traction battery... it has enough juice to start, but then the computer decides that something is wrong and turns off the start process. First suggestion is to plug in a code reader and see what it tells you. Second suggestion is to look for a blown fuse in the fuse box... that nothing works when the key is in the ACC position tellse me that power is not reaching some parts of the car that expect it.

    Look for this: When you attach the 12v battery, does the little "security" LED on the center console blink the same way as in your other vehicle? Does it go out when you put the key in the ignition, but not turn it?
     
    #2 dabard051, May 8, 2018
  3. cozzb

    cozzb Junior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 3, 2004
    5
    0
    0
    Thanks for your thoughts. I need to go through the fuses. Havent done that yet as I suspected the ignition switch. I will rule out the simple stuff.
    When I plug in a code reader it gets not power until I try to start it. The car stalls and then 3 -10 seconds later all power goes including power to the diagnositc connector so I cant retrieve any codes.

    With the 12v battery attached I get nothing in the dash and the security light never flashes. With key in it in any position I get nothing until I try to start it. Very strange. Let me gather more details.
     
    #3 cozzb, May 9, 2018
  4. 3prongpaul

    3prongpaul Hybrid Shop Owner, worked on 100's of Prius's

    Joined:
    Jul 18, 2010
    954
    724
    1
    Location:
    Boulder Hybids, Boulder, CO
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Late reply but if car stalls before 10 seconds it never actually started. The sound of it "running" is car trying to start. On Gen1 common problem is dirty throttle body. Thoroughly clean throttle body and try again. Don't try too many times because you'll deplete the hybrid battery and won't be able to start car. Once engine is running more than 20 seconds and exhaust is coming out of tailpipe you are good.
     
    #4 3prongpaul, Feb 1, 2022
    ammdb likes this.
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)