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Help!! I can't gas up??

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Technical Discussion' started by techiechick, Jul 23, 2008.

  1. techiechick

    techiechick Junior Member

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    Five
    Hi Guys!!
    Ok, I admit it... I wasn't paying attention and the gas tank got low enough that the last pip was flashing. I pulled over at a gas station but when I try to pump the gas into the tank, the nozzle keeps popping!! (Like it does when it's trying to tell you the tank is full) No matter what I tried... I lifted the nozzle up, to the side, down, nothing!! Everytime I tried to pump gas the handle just kept popping. I finally got one gallon in and proceeded to drive to work (late!) BUT IT STILL SHOWS ONLY ONE FLASHING PIP!! Does the flex tank vapor lock or something??? Is there a way to reset it??
    I promise I'll never do it again!!!
     
    #1 techiechick, Jul 23, 2008
  2. Flying White Dutchman

    Flying White Dutchman Senior Member

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    maybe broken pump station?
     
    #2 Flying White Dutchman, Jul 23, 2008
  3. EJFB1029

    EJFB1029 New Member

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    That happens sometimes, and not only with the Prius, its really a pump problem, touchy pump, the backpressure of your gas tank was causing the pump to think your tank was full. Just find another gas station and you should be fine.
     
    #3 EJFB1029, Jul 23, 2008
  4. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

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    Did you power down your Prius? There are several fuel valves in the Prius which open and close for various modes. Powering down puts them in the correct position for refueling. Try another pump or station. If you still have problems, see the dealer.

    Tom
     
    #4 qbee42, Jul 23, 2008
  5. rigormortis

    rigormortis Active Member

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    this commonly happens when you do not compress the rubber boot correctly...
     
    #5 rigormortis, Jul 23, 2008
  6. autoxic

    autoxic Commuter

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    This has happened to me once. Try a different pump. Your Prius is probably fine. I almost always wait for the flashing pip before refueling, without problems.
     
    #6 autoxic, Jul 23, 2008
  7. Viscor

    Viscor New Member

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    Agree, I really doubt this is not a "Prius thing". I've had this issue on two different vehicles and both times a simple switch of pumps (at the same station) fixed the issue.
     
    #7 Viscor, Jul 25, 2008
  8. abq sfr

    abq sfr New Member

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    This happened to me TODAY at Costco but still had 2 pips left. Click click click, pump would not pump. I pulled it out around an inch to unseal it and put it back in all the way, same thing. I removed it totally and put it back in and then it worked ok. I suspected it took longer than usual for the pump to reset and enable pumping. I'm just glad I need to go there so infrequently! 60.1 mpg over 460 miles on this one :)D :D :D)
     
    #8 abq sfr, Jul 25, 2008
  9. sleonardelli

    sleonardelli Junior Member

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    Happened to my at MacDill AFB. I just kept pumping until I got at least near to the actual gallons needed. Took a long time but it is probably a pump thing. I try not to use the base's gas station as a result but I was down to 2 pips with a 35+ mile trip so I decided not to push it. This time, the pump (different then the last time) worked fine. Take thee to a different gas station.
     
    #9 sleonardelli, Jul 25, 2008
  10. eestlane

    eestlane Member

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    One way to overcome the burping gas out, inability to fill, etc. problems, is to carefully cut away the plastic foam seal at the top of the filler neck. I say carefully because you don't want it to fall into the tank. I did that to my previous Prius ('04) and ended all filling problems. Of course, some on this site will say that I greatly accelerated global warming by letting a whiff of gas fumes into the atmosphere, but that is better than burping a few gallons on the ground!
     
    #10 eestlane, Jul 25, 2008
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