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P0301 leading to P3191 (rabbit hole problem chasing)

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by Recoup, Nov 5, 2024 at 11:10 PM.

  1. Recoup

    Recoup New Member

    Joined:
    Tuesday
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    Location:
    Texas
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius
    Model:
    Five
    I am at my wit's end for this issue, and I am hoping you guys can lend me a hand.

    This weekend my wife's 2013 Prius threw a P0301, and would knock on startup but would ride smooth after. I checked all the following things to make sure I wasn't missing anything:
    • Air Intake Manifold is clean (with new gaskets)
    • Spark plugs are new (10k miles)
    • Ignition Coil Boots are new (10k miles)
    • Fuel injectors are clean
    • PCV valve is new (10k miles)
    • EGR valve is clean
    • Coolant levels have not depleted
    I added some fuel system cleaner to the gas tank and then swapped the spark plug and ignition coil from cylinder 1 to cylinder 2 to try and catch if the code moved. After doing this the car stopped misbehaving - it may make a slight rattle once in a while but overall wouldn't throw a "check engine" light.

    Well, today my wife says the car smells like gasoline inside so I figure when I was putting the fuel injectors back I didn't properly seat the o-ring and it may have a small leak. Tonight I tore back into it and made sure to tidy up the injectors, but the car started throwing a lot of gasoline out while I was working on it (had the gas cap open to relieve pressure). I got it cleaned up and put it back together.

    Here is where it gets screwy - when I went to start the car, the engine jostled once and then stopped. Then it tried again to start, but couldn't. Waited until the system threw a warning at me: "Traction Battery Protection Mode; Restart After Shifting to P Position". I got out and ripped everything back out again, made sure everything was where it was supposed to be and all the connections were solid. Got back in to start, same issue - engine would not turn over, and the car went to battery protection mode.

    The car was half in my garage so I put it in neutral and let it roll out my driveway so I could at least close the garage. Changing gears was noisy, and once it came to a stop the system finally said "Check Hybrid System". I disconnected the hybrid battery and the 12V, waited and hooked them back up. Tried to start it again and the car got a little further - engine rattled and was noisy as hell, then it quit and hit me again with the "Check Hybrid System". Finally got a code - P3191.

    I do not know what else I can do folks. Any advice would be super appreciated.
     
  2. Recoup

    Recoup New Member

    Joined:
    Tuesday
    3
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    0
    Location:
    Texas
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius
    Model:
    Five
    Quick update: I followed this thread which seemed close to my issue - fuel injector dumping fuel all over the engine, car not turning over, etc: P3190 P0A0F after cleaning injectors! Car won't run! Plz Help! | PriusChat

    I am following the guidance here, and noticed when I took my spark plugs out to let the car dry there was a bent connection on the first cylinder plug. I picked up new plugs and a borescope to see what I can find inside if there's any damage to the cylinder.
     

    Attached Files:

  3. Recoup

    Recoup New Member

    Joined:
    Tuesday
    3
    0
    0
    Location:
    Texas
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius
    Model:
    Five
    Another update: got back home after the car had been sitting for the last 5 hours and put her back together with brand new spark plugs. Got my borescope to check the holes before putting in the plugs, and cylinder 1 was oily-looking. Used compressed air to blow it out as best as I could and it cleaned up slightly more.

    Once I fired it up, the engine came to life but rattled like crazy. I put up a video but my account isn't old enough to post it yet.

    Now the codes on my reader are P0010, P0351, P0352, and P3191.
     

    Attached Files:

  4. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk EGR Fanatic

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    56,597
    39,181
    80
    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    What's the miles?

    You say "EGR valve is clean": has a full EGR cleaning ever been done? Basically everything highlighted in the picture, comprising the EGR cooler, valve, pipe, and the intake manifold (has EGR passages):


    upload_2024-11-6_14-38-13.png
     
  5. Brian1954

    Brian1954 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jan 31, 2021
    1,077
    397
    0
    Location:
    South Central PA, USA
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    III
    Where did you buy the spark plugs that you installed 10k miles ago? It looks like a counterfeit plug to me.

    My recommendation is only to use OEM Denso or NGK spark plugs.
     
    #5 Brian1954, Nov 6, 2024 at 5:43 PM
    Last edited: Nov 6, 2024 at 6:05 PM