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07 with Check Engine Light about solenoids

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Cibelly Aguiar, Jul 6, 2018.

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  1. Cibelly Aguiar

    Cibelly Aguiar Junior Member

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    Hello everyone!

    The other day I was driving the car normally and a check engine light just popped in my dash. I don't have a computer to read the codes, so I took it to my mechanic and he said that it was a code for a problem with the solenoids, but he doesn't know if it's both of them or just one, and if so, he doesn't know which one because he didn't have time to check them and checking it would take at least 2 days, which is really complicated for me because I only have that car to do everything.

    He gave me a quote for 353$ if he has to change both. My question is, and after some research, I couldn't get a satisfactory answer, are these solenoids really important or can I postpone the fix for a little while? And is there one that is "more" important than the other and with the unknown issue, can they fail on me and bring problems that are more serious?

    Thank you, your help is much appreciated!
     
    #1 Cibelly Aguiar, Jul 6, 2018
  2. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    What was the code he pulled ?
     
    #2 Raytheeagle, Jul 6, 2018
  3. Paul Schenck

    Paul Schenck Active Member

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    The only solenoid I know of in the Prius is the variable timing solenoid about $50.



    iPhone ?
     
    #3 Paul Schenck, Jul 6, 2018
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    just keep driving her, it won't be an issue.
     
    #4 bisco, Jul 6, 2018
  5. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    The check engine light can be caused by a few common problems on the prius. There are codes the car stores that will point you to the problem. You can try going to an auto parts place and have them read the codes for you. That mechanic with the solenoid response isn't making much sense.

    Common things that will cause check engine light are emissions related

    1. Bad/missing gas cap
    2. Bad 3 way coolant valve
    3. Bad catalytic converter
    4. bad oxygen sensors (I think this is what the mechanic is pointing to)

    You should check the emissions warranty in your state, some states that follow California emissions standards will warranty emissions components for 15 years/ 150k miles
     
    #5 JC91006, Jul 6, 2018
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  6. Cibelly Aguiar

    Cibelly Aguiar Junior Member

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    I don't know the codes he pulled, but I used an OBD2 device I have and read the codes.

    As you can see in the picture:

    Stored codes: P0446 Evaporative System Vent Control Circuit

    Pending Codes: P0441 Evaporative Emission System Incorrect Purge Flow
    P0446 Evaporative Emission System Vent Control Circuit

    What should I do? Thank you!

    EDIT: The solenoids the mechanic talked about changing were Purge Solenoid and Vent Solenoid.
     

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    #6 Cibelly Aguiar, Jul 7, 2018
    Last edited: Jul 7, 2018
  7. Cibelly Aguiar

    Cibelly Aguiar Junior Member

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    I don't know which ones he pulled, but using my OBD2 device, I pulled those:
    Stored codes: P0446 Evaporative System Vent Control Circuit

    Pending Codes: P0441 Evaporative Emission System Incorrect Purge Flow
    P0446 Evaporative Emission System Vent Control Circuit
     
    #7 Cibelly Aguiar, Jul 7, 2018
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  8. TMR-JWAP

    TMR-JWAP Senior Member

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    are these solenoids really important or can I postpone the fix for a little while

    In the big scheme of things....no and yes. It's part of emissions controls but should have no impact on driveability and no effect on engine emissions.

    What should I do?

    If it were me? I would just continue to drive the car as per post 4. I would also take the advice of post 5, because Mass IS a carb state and if the car was originally purchased there, it may be covered under warranty.
     
    #8 TMR-JWAP, Jul 7, 2018
  9. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    You checked your gas cap and the o-ring there to see its condition?
     
    #9 Raytheeagle, Jul 7, 2018
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  10. Paul Schenck

    Paul Schenck Active Member

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    I drove mine getting 50mpg for months until I decided to do the repair.


    iPhone ?
     
    #10 Paul Schenck, Jul 7, 2018
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  11. Cibelly Aguiar

    Cibelly Aguiar Junior Member

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    The things is that mine is doing around 25mpg since January, and I've been trying to fix that since then and I can't find the problem!
     
    #11 Cibelly Aguiar, Jul 7, 2018
  12. Cibelly Aguiar

    Cibelly Aguiar Junior Member

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    Seems to be normal, but tomorrow I'll and a picture of it, just in case!
     
    #12 Cibelly Aguiar, Jul 7, 2018
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  13. Cibelly Aguiar

    Cibelly Aguiar Junior Member

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    I am thinking about taking the car to the dealership so they can diagnose the problems. Is it worthy?

    And I've been thinking about taking the car to another mechanic so he can help me find the reason for the codes. My biggest fear is that the problem might be catalytic converter, as my dealership quoted me about $2000 to replace it...
     
    #13 Cibelly Aguiar, Jul 7, 2018
  14. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    I’d root around to see if there are any vacuum leaks or things misaligned causing air to be sucked in and throwing the codes you have.
     
    #14 Raytheeagle, Jul 7, 2018
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  15. Cibelly Aguiar

    Cibelly Aguiar Junior Member

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    That's what I'll do, on Monday I'll go somewhere else to see if they find something that can be triggering it. This mechanic that told me about the solenoids always gives me the wrong diagnose about the car. But here in the Boston area, besides dealership, is hard for me to find a mechanic that has an understanding of hybrids.
     
    #15 Cibelly Aguiar, Jul 7, 2018
  16. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    @bisco has his work done down the street at a mechanic. Maybe he could recommend someone(y).
     
    #16 Raytheeagle, Jul 7, 2018
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  17. Dxta

    Dxta Senior Member

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    If it were the converter, there must be a p0420 code
     
    #17 Dxta, Jul 7, 2018
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  18. Cibelly Aguiar

    Cibelly Aguiar Junior Member

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    That is a relief lol! thanks!!! :D
     
    #18 Cibelly Aguiar, Jul 7, 2018
  19. Dxta

    Dxta Senior Member

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    You didn't also state the mileage on your car, perhaps that might help to know if you've done your normal maintenance.

    Replacement of spark plugs, EGR cleaning, and all that. Also check your air filter in the hood.

    Lastly, y not get a tech stream to scan the car and have access to the car's HV system? Could be that you have a p0a80 hybrid pack weak logged in PENDING.
     
    #19 Dxta, Jul 7, 2018
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  20. TMR-JWAP

    TMR-JWAP Senior Member

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    25mpg since January is dreadful. Can you describe your typical daily driving pattern?

    Do you own an android phone?
     
    #20 TMR-JWAP, Jul 7, 2018
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