Previous C owner here. Just got my 2005. I actually got it in a trade deal for another car I had. I'm only vested 300 bucks into this Prius. I like the car for sure. So, in my Prius C...I started it, most times took right off on the Hybrid Motor. Every so often the gas engine would come on. Pretty normal for it I'm thinking. Now, in my 05. I get in and power it on, and it seems it's always the combustion engine running, and it's only getting about 26 mpg, leading me to believe the hybrid part isn't going. On the display it shows it's charging. When I am slowing down the regenerative turns green as well and is charging. It starts without fail every time, even in the neg temps we had lately, so I am assuming the hybrid battery is good. Also anything 12v related seems to function properly, so I am assuming that battery is good as well. The only light in the instr panel is a maint due light. I ran my handheld generic scanner on it when I first brought it home, and it gave me 3 EGR codes. I have dr.prius installed on my android, but, I still have to get the odb plug in. Based on that info, is there any place particular I should start with?
That's quite a trick on a gen 2, which hasn't got EGR. What handheld generic scanner is that, and what were the codes?
This sounds quite normal for the Gen 2 from a cold start. Read the Hybrid Warm-up: 5 modes of Prius Operation. in my signature below to familiarize yourself on how this Gen normally operates.
The only codes my palm held found were 3, an 0441, 0445 and one other I can't seem to recall (pardon my age) Just realized I put EGR, meant EEC. I cannot get them to pop again or I'd verify. I got it this winter, I actually never thought of something so simple as needing the combustion engine running for heat. So, of course I have that heater going everytime I start it up. I'll have to give that a try, once it gets to a balmy 35-40 here Thanks for that tip. Being an old guy, and having about every make, model and type of car in my 44 years, I am still quite a nooby to these Hybrids. I will definitely read through your notes. I am going to try starting it without the heater on and see if it does anything different too.
Ok. For what it's worth, I encourage always spelling out codes completely in posts here—all five characters, including the P, C, B, or U in front. If nothing else, it helps other people find your post when they are searching for the same codes.
Will do, as far as the scanner, I've used the same one on multiple makes and models withouot fail. I just know the Hybrids are a new kinda beast and it may not pick all the codes up. Right now, the only light on the dash besides warning me it's cold out is the maint light. If the codes pop again, I'll make sure to right all the info down.