Prius Plug In gas engine cuts off after 5 seconds

I cleaned the MAF sensor, poured octane boost and fuel cleaner in the fuel tank. Car started up, but the brake, slip indicator, and ABS lights remained on. I thought, "Wow. Maybe I'll try to drive it a bit." Pulled out of the driveway, started to talk to a neighbor, and then the engine died. Started it back up, it went to EV mode, and I drove it back into the driveway. I started it again, put it in Eco mode, and the engine ran for about 40 seconds, then died, and the car went into EV mode. Then I couldn't get the engine to come on at all in Eco mode. So I disconnected the battery neg cable (something new), then soon reconnected it. Car is back to engine quitting. Last time it ran for 50 seconds. The brake, slip indicator, and ABS lights consistently remain on. I think I'm done. There is something seriously wrong with this car. The only thing to decide is where/when to tow it.

 

What is an "og post"?

 

Thats the one thing I haven't done. I'm pretty sure it has fuel in the tank. The engine fires up. There would be no engine life at all if the tank was empty. The fuel gauge shows 3 or 4 bars, depending upon the slope where its parked. I'm too scared to drive it 5 blocks to the ga station although I probably should - just to cover all bases.

 

This morning I put a gallon of gas in and the car started normally. Took a chance and drove to the gas station and filled it up. Only took 4.5 gallons, so the gauge is working normally. Drove around the neighborhood and got nervous when the engine cut out. Thinking back, that was dumb. Its a hybrid. Even in Eco and Power modes the engine cuts out at slow speeds. Made an appointment at a mechanic 10.6 miles away. Got halfway there and it ocurred to me everything was working fine. So I turned drove on the freeway some more to satisfy myself and then drove home. I think the first time the engine ran longer than 5 seconds the vehicle was fixed. After 40 seconds a hybrid engine will cut out, even in Eco or Power mode. I want to thank everyone who helped me with suggestions. Something worked. I suspect either the fuel system cleaner additive or cleaning the MAF sensor. THANKS!

 

I never even heard of a MAF sensor until Nico brought it up. Had to google it. A Youtube video showed me how to clean it. The MAF sensor is not mentioned in any maintenance schedules that I've ever seen.

 

My MAF sensor also didn't look very dirty. I thought I probably was just going through the motions, but it may have been the cause of all the problems. I've decided to clean the MAF sensor on my Prius V too. It has 120K miles on it and I bet it's MAF sensor has never been cleaned.