Hybrid System Malfunction Indicator... malfunctioning?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by redstapler, Dec 22, 2004.

  1. redstapler

    redstapler New Member

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    My 2002 Prius has developed a troubling problem. It just turned unpleasantly cold here in Missouri, and when we start it up on cold morning, the master warning light and the hybrid system malfunction indicator are lit up and all blinky. The check engine light comes on, too. I called the dealer and he said the main battery was discharged. It was not, but I drove it for a while and the problem went away. Then it happened again. This time I took it to the dealer. He said that it was low on gas and that the gas cap might not have been tight enough. I filled the tank up and made damn sure the cap was tight.

    It did it again this morning, so I took it to the dealer again. The Prius specialist there has no idea what is causing it, so he just reset the error and told me to come get it. The code is "indeterminate". I know it usually happens when the temperature outside is abnormally cold (we don't yet have a garage). Other possible factors are that we've been driving a lot on gravel roads and letting it sit more than usual. Also, cold didn't affect it last year and it seems to be running fine despite the big flashing error.

    Anyway, I thought you all might have some ideas. Thanks!
     
    #1 redstapler, Dec 22, 2004
  2. 500VDC

    500VDC Junior Member

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    Our 2002 has had similar problems lately. The exhaust smells of unburned fuel occasionally at startup. The engine did not even start once and would not go over 25mph or so. A restart cured it temporarily.

    Took it to the dealer today. Said there was a bulletin on the ECM, and ordered us a replacement (new software to handle logging of weak engine starts?). He also said our 12v battery was showing low. They charged it on their special charger - usually takes 6 hours, but this one was done in 1.5 hr. Service mgr said battery may be "sulphating" and recommended new one. $185 + $65 installation - OUCH!!

    He said the 12v battery now shows 100% SOC (did he mean the NiMH batts?). We have the warranty ECM coming, but did not order the expensive 12V batt.

    Has anyone had to buy a new 12V battery - if so, where and how much? Is the Prius 12V battery a special?

    Maybe different than your issue, but some similarities..

    Matt
     
    #2 500VDC, Dec 22, 2004
  3. Elars

    Elars New Member

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    I've been having the same problem lately. It happened once last year, and has happened several times this year during the recent cold snap.

    It seems to be running normally and after a couple of starts, all lights return to normal. I will try to take it in next week to have it checked.

    Eric
     
    #3 Elars, Dec 22, 2004
  4. elky

    elky New Member

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    most likely code p3191. may want to have them check to see if you have the lastest engine ecu.

    brandon
     
    #4 elky, Dec 26, 2004
  5. Elars

    Elars New Member

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    Took my 2003 Prius in to check the codes. Lights have reset for the last couple of days (Weather warmer than the past week).

    The only code present was engine not starting. They mentioned it may be due to the need for an oil change.

    They also told me that they need to update the ECU.

    What is this ECU update and what is it supposed to correct?
     
    #5 Elars, Dec 30, 2004
  6. jogor777

    jogor777 New Member

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    Has anybody had definitive answer on hybrid system malfunction lights? My 2002 Prius has done that twice now. Both times the only codes were running out of gas and using wrong weight oil. Neither of those things had happened! Last time the gas pedal would go down but no acceleration. After coasting for 3-4 mins I would get some power for 30 seconds then nothing again. Finally stopped and turned it off for 10 mins and it reset with no further problem. Yesterday it all happened again, lights on, no pedal, but turning it off did not result in resetting...lights still on. Dealer charged $220 last time to tell me nothing was wrong, not anxious to take it in again...any ideas?
     
    #6 jogor777, Jan 3, 2005
  7. mrv

    mrv Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jogor777\";p=\"61118)</div>
    What have the stored codes been?

    The acceleration thing sounds similar to the Big Hand Syndrome. If you get the errors with the loss of acceleration, then it's not really BHS, but this:
    http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/toyota...Bs/EG018-02.pdf
    TSB EG018-02
    Sept. 12, 2003, Master, Hybrid & M.I.L. "ON" P1120, 2001-2002 Prius. (symptom: low engine power output (similar to big hand syndrome). fix: replace accelerator pedal assembly.)
     
    #7 mrv, Jan 3, 2005
  8. mrv

    mrv Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(elky\";p=\"59993)</div>
    http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/toyota...Bs/EG011-03.pdf
    TSB EG011-03
    June 12, 2003, Master, Hybrid & M.I.L. "ON" P3190/P3191 & P3101, 2001-2003 Prius. Replaces TSB EG012-02. (Fix: may replace circuit opening relay assembly, ECM (engine control module), and/or fuel tank assembly.)
     
    #8 mrv, Jan 3, 2005
  9. mrv

    mrv Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(500VDC\";p=\"59337)</div>
    ask for the 12v battery capacity improvement, if you're still in your 3/36k basic warranty:
    http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/toyota...Bs/EL014-03.pdf
    TSB EL014-03
    Oct. 2, 2003, Battery Capacity Improvement, 2001-2003 Prius
     
    #9 mrv, Jan 3, 2005
  10. Frank Hudon

    Frank Hudon Senior Member

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    our 2k1 had a bad 12 volt battery that caused the problem. Only when it got really cold -3C or about 22F new battery cured it. Done under warranty.
     
    #10 Frank Hudon, Jan 3, 2005
  11. jogor777

    jogor777 New Member

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    Thanks for all the input. By the time I had driven it about 3 miles this morning all the warning lights were off and I had full power. Drove 90 miles with no further problems. I just had the battery checked when they did the internal resealing recall service and I don't know the numbers for the codes which come up dealing with running out of gas and wrong weight oil, but no other codes come up which stumps the dealer service people. I have 115,000 miles on it so it is way ouf of warranty for everything.
     
    #11 jogor777, Jan 3, 2005
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