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Prius died on freeway. 3 lug nuts missing, is this the cause?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Branndon, Jun 28, 2013.

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  1. Branndon

    Branndon Junior Member

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    While the tow truck was hooking up, I noticed that the front passenger tire was missing 3 lug nuts. Is it possible that there was a wobble detected, and the engine went in to maintenance mode?

    It will not go in to ready mode, and it will not shift in to drive, or reverse, only neutral. Also it doesn't seem to shut down fully, bluetooth and the nav screen stayed on, even after the car was off.

    I'm parked in an area where I'll be towed in the next 24 hours if I can't fix it, so can anyone suggest a way to clear the signal, so at least I can drive it the 1/4 mile home?

    Any other thoughts as to what the problem is?

    It's a 2004, about 95k miles on it, and the oil was done about 10 months ago, with synthetic 15k mile oil.
     
    #1 Branndon, Jun 28, 2013
  2. css28

    css28 Senior Member

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    There's no wobble detection in the car. You're just lucky that the propulsion died before a wheel came off.
     
    #2 css28, Jun 28, 2013
    PLSPUSH and Sergiospl like this.
  3. Branndon

    Branndon Junior Member

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    Ok, on to step two then..... There are no fluid leaks, and the belts seem to be there. How can I troubleshoot a car that won't crank over?
     
    #3 Branndon, Jun 28, 2013
  4. css28

    css28 Senior Member

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    If you can get to it, disconnect the 12V battery for a minute (just the negative terminal should do it) and see if a cold reboot helps.
     
    #4 css28, Jun 28, 2013
  5. Branndon

    Branndon Junior Member

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    Ok, I can, and I will go try that now.... here is to hoping! I'll report back within 30 minutes.
     
    #5 Branndon, Jun 28, 2013
  6. css28

    css28 Senior Member

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    Note: Don't allow the hatch to close while the 12V is disconnected. It will be more difficult to open again.
     
    #6 css28, Jun 28, 2013
  7. Branndon

    Branndon Junior Member

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    Ok, so initially after doing what you suggested, it looked like nothing changed. I turned it off and on a 2nd time, and it let me put it in gear. I now have it at home. It let me drive on electric only, giving heavy throttle wouldn't engage the engine.

    Any other ideas on how to check what the potential reason for the engine not working is? I have over 1/2 tank of gas.
     
    #7 Branndon, Jun 28, 2013
  8. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

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    I don't know whats wrong with the motor but I do know if you continue running the car in just Hybrid battery mode without the motor you will seriously flag the H battery to the point it will need to be towed to the dealer and a special charger flown in from japan. $$$$$$$

    Only way to know what is wrong is get the codes pulled. May not be a hybrid issue so any OBD II Code reader may pull the codes.

    Post the codes back here verbatim.

    Its a very tough little motor and usually what kills it is lack of maintenance. Run out of oil or engine coolant and overheated the motor.

    Smell anything burning?

    Got oil?

    Got coolant?

    How old is the 12 volt battery in the trunk?
     
    #8 edthefox5, Jun 28, 2013
  9. Branndon

    Branndon Junior Member

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    I'm not driving it on the battery. I drove it about 1/4 mile, maybe 1/3.

    I didn't know that any OBD II reader might work. If I wanted to buy one, hybrid specific, could I find one in person this weekend?
     
    #9 Branndon, Jun 28, 2013
  10. Branndon

    Branndon Junior Member

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    Nothing burning. I'll check the oil and coolant again now. 12 volt was brand new in jan 2010, optima yellow top, it's in my sig.
     
    #10 Branndon, Jun 28, 2013
  11. css28

    css28 Senior Member

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    It's vaguely possible that the 12V battery internally shorted causing the mayhem. Do a voltage check of it, just to humor us.
     
    #11 css28, Jun 28, 2013
  12. Branndon

    Branndon Junior Member

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    I don't have a voltage gauge, but the dash does light up. I'll get a video of the whole thing in about 30 minutes.
     
    #12 Branndon, Jun 28, 2013
  13. ahmeow

    ahmeow Prius Lover

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    BTW have you put back the missing lug nuts ?! That's life saver.
    Check all the others. Have you? Are they tight enough??
     
    #13 ahmeow, Jun 28, 2013
  14. Branndon

    Branndon Junior Member

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    Haven't touched the lugs yet. I don't have any spares, and tightening the remaining two will happen, but later tonight, or tomorrow.
     
    #14 Branndon, Jun 28, 2013
  15. ahmeow

    ahmeow Prius Lover

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    Get them from Pepboy or any shop selling car stuff ASAP. They save your life.
     
    #15 ahmeow, Jun 28, 2013
  16. nh7o

    nh7o Off grid since 1980

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    Not likely. The usual recommendations are : Torque, for Android phones (needs Bluetooth-OBDII adapter), ScanGauge, or mini VCI (eBay). Otherwise, towing to a hybrid mechanic, such as Avi's Advanced Automotive (which might be somewhere near you?)
     
    #16 nh7o, Jun 28, 2013
  17. jdenenberg

    jdenenberg EE Professor

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    Avi is in southern CA. The Northern CA independents to go to are Luscious Garage or Art's Auto in SF.

    JeffD
     
    #17 jdenenberg, Jun 29, 2013
  18. Branndon

    Branndon Junior Member

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    Here is a video of the lights in the car
     
    #18 Branndon, Jun 29, 2013
  19. SteveLee

    SteveLee Active Member

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    You need a voltage check of the 12V and report it back here. Get one with everything off and another with the dash lights on.
     
    #19 SteveLee, Jun 29, 2013
  20. Branndon

    Branndon Junior Member

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    Ok, I'll try and find a voltage tester today.
     
    #20 Branndon, Jun 29, 2013
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