Help----02 Prius won't run.

give us the codes that they got when they scanned it,it'll give us more to go on. Sounds like the fuel pump relay is going and the there is a service bulliten on the main computer doing what your describing. More info with the codes and you'll get more information from us here on PC

 

I am sure we have not seen the last one of these. Perhaps we can distill down some of the more useful information and make it 'sticky' in CMT?

Here is TSB EG011-03. The code P1255 is not mentioned therein.

[attachmentid=11272]

There is a diagnostic sequence to determine whether to replace ECM, fuel pump relay, fuel tank assembly, or more than one of those. Most often it has been the ECM only. Warranty coverage on the ECM is 80k (36k for the others), so absent any special consideration (see my whining to Toyota comments elsewhere), older vehicles will pay.

If one elects to replace the ECM from salvage vehicle, please note the part # 89661 - 47054. ECMs are 'out there' (ex. 2 on ebay at present) with lower numbers in the last 2 positions. Those will not necessarily have the most recent software, which is apparently what we need from a replacement ECM.

The relay has been DIY replaced and maybe we could dig up the steps.

Not all Toyota shops have proven themselves expert in diagnosing this, despite its commonality. Is there someone near baddad with a shop recommendation for him?

Other conditions may at least contribute to the slow engine start that is generally the root cause. Please make sure that the throttle butterfly is clean of soot and can be moved freely. That there is only a small puddle of oil underneath it in the intake manifold.

AFAIK, no one who ever got the (correct) -54 ECM has ever had a recurrence of the no-start DTC. So the light at the end of the tunnel is definitely switched on.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(baddad457 @ Sep 7 2007, 03:54 PM) [snapback]508736[/snapback]</div>

I couldn't find the P1255 code in my manual nor searching 'the usual suspects.' But starting problems sounds a little like it could be a sticky throttle plate:

http://priuschat.com/index.php?s=&show...st&p=502123

The other hypothesis is a failing throttle plate position sensor but the code doesn't match. Still, testing and cleaning the throttle plate is an easy step.

Bob Wilson

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(baddad457 @ Sep 8 2007, 08:49 AM) [snapback]509015[/snapback]</div>

I think "stealership" is a very accurate title. If your handy mechanically I can give you something to check real quick. You said you cleaned the Mass airflow sensor. Are you sure you did it correctly?
You need:
rubbing alcohol
Cu-Tips
10 mm socket
Phillips
Patience and gentleness.

Remove air cleaner assembly with the 10 mm. The wire plug in front is for the airflow sensor. Remove the sensor assembly with the phillips, inside you'll see one small sensor tip and a little deeper off to the inside you'll see two thin wires about 1/4". Carefully with cu-tips and plenty of alcohol, gently wash and rub these 3 sensors several times. Be very careful to use use minimul pressure, if you break you buy.
Re-assemble and see if it helps.
Joe

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(baddad457 @ Sep 9 2007, 02:40 PM) [snapback]509662[/snapback]</div>

When you go to start, it doesn't turn over the ICE?
How many miles? (If less than 100,000 miles, it may be time to tow it to dealer for hybrid repair.)
Do you have a scanner? Do you have an interest in doing it yourself?

Bob Wilson

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(baddad457 @ Sep 10 2007, 04:56 AM) [snapback]509953[/snapback]</div>

When you turn it on without trying to start, what level does the battery display show? You did verify the throttle plate rotates freely? The reason I ask is any dealer you've lost faith in might not have actually done the job.

If the fault lies in the hybrid vehicle parts, battery, inverter or transaxle, you're covered under the 8 year / 100,000 mile warranty. But the key is getting a good diagnosis.

I would recommend getting a set of the maintenance manuals and in parallel, a scanner. I'm using the Graham Davies Mini-scanner and it reads out the primary error codes from the battery, hybrid and engine ECUs and lets me reset them. For the manuals, you can subscribe to the Toyota technical service (fast but a little pricy) and/or buy them on Ebay or from the Toyota technical service. DO NOT BUY the CDs that show up on Ebay because Toyota does not make them and the quality of one I bought for my wife's Echo was terrible.

The 03 manual comes in two volumes and there is an electrical volume:

• Volume 1 - diagnostics, what the different codes mean
• Volume 2 - illustrated parts and maintenance procedures (MUST HAVE)
• Electrical diagrams - very useful to identify connectors and signals

You're about six hours away from Huntsville so making a house call is impractical unless my wife decides to visit Vicksburg.

Bob Wilson

 

OK the battery was replaced recently, but because of these no-starts I ask you to confirm its voltage and integrity of connections. I know you are a car-guy and experienced but I'd like to be able to stop thinking about this as a possibility

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(baddad457 @ Sep 9 2007, 03:40 PM) [snapback]509662[/snapback]</div>

When my 01 dash was lit up with the triangle, engine light, exclamation point and low fuel when there was 7 gal. it was confusing to me to try to narrow it down being a non-trained prius mechanic but with extreme caution I simply removed the HV battery cover, tested the pack, halves and the modules with a voltage meter and got all the confirmation I needed.
DO NOT DO THIS UNLESS YOU ARE EXPERIENCED IN HIGH VOLTAGE ELECTRICITY.
Joe

 

TO THE MODERATOR: Many of these post just end. Is it my computer or OPs never bother continuing their storeys. It’s a shame because a lot of brilliant contributors have posted, and then it’s just dropped.
Maybe these incomplete posts should be be deleted.

 

Unfortunately many people just do that. So you don’t know if it got fixed, or what was the fix. But I don’t really see why that would be a reason to delete the topic.

 

I gues there is a part of the brain that’s stores the final fix. I always think that, maybe I can use that information. Maybe marking it, “ Incomplete thread” might be a solution.