Prius Reset Check Engine Light (Solved)

One challenge many people have faced in the past years is having their check engine light come on when they have recently fixed an engine issue.

Irrespective of how many times or how recently you have worked on the engine, whenever a check engine light illuminates or flashes, it is always advisable to treat it with the highest priority and get the problem fixed as soon as possible.

This article covers Prius Reset Check Engine Light, it will help you know how to systematically diagnose a check engine light with an OBD II scanner and different ways to reset the engine check light on a Toyota Prius after the issue has been fixed.

Let’s get started!

What Brings on the Engine Check Light in Toyota Prius?

Before any problem on an automobile can be fixed, the problem is first analyzed to understand the root cause and diagnosed for proper understanding of the fault.

There are many reasons why the engine check light will illuminate; however, this section will highlight some of the faults that most likely cause the engine check light to illuminate Here are some problems that cause the engine check light to come on;

Your Thermostat Faulty Thermostat

Monitoring the temperature of an engine can help you understand the operating conditions of that engine. The thermostat is a sensor that measures the engine’s temperature and the coolant’s temperature flowing around the engine.

A faulty thermostat will give inaccurate temperature measurements to the vehicles in ECU, causing the vehicle to seem overheated, thereby triggering the check engine light. This fault is tricky to diagnose, and hiring a professional will be advisable.

There is a Vacuum Leakage

Vehicles produce a lot of toxic emissions, and the vacuum systems in vehicles help to reduce these toxic byproducts from entering the atmosphere and destroying the ozone layer.

A leakage in the vacuum system will cause your vehicle to have an uncommonly high RPM, activating the check engine light. The dryness of the vacuum hose, damaged fittings, or loose connections can cause vacuum system leaks.

Also Read: Temporary Fix for Exhaust Manifold Gasket Leak

Catalytic Converter is Bad

The catalytic converters on your vehicle are also vital in ensuring an improved combustion quality from your engine, relea sing emissions from the exhaust. The engine check light will illuminate whenever the catalytic converter is faulty or clogged. When this happens, visiting your local mechanic as soon as possible is advisable.

Your Battery is Dead

One common fault that triggers the engine check light is a dead battery. Whenever batteries exceed their lifespan, they become weak and Dion ventrally, which may trigger an engine check light. The battery is done after an average of 6 of 7 years and may need replacement whenever they begin triggering the check engine light.

A Bad or Faulty Oxygen Sensor

An oxygen sensor is one of the main components affecting an engine’s performance. This sensor measures the combustion quality in an engine, and from this data, it can tell if your engine is performing poorly.

An engine that performs poorly will have excessive levels of incomplete combustion, leading to burning more fuel within the same distance covered. A faulty oxygen sensor will give inaccurate measurements of the combustion quality and cause your engine to malfunction. And when this happens, the engine check light will illuminate.

Whenever your engine check light is beneath, it is always advisable to employ the services of an expert; if not, you may risk failing emissions tests at a checkpoint.

Your Mass Airflow Sensor is Bad

The mass airflow sensor is one of the main components that help maintain the quality of an engine’s combustion and its performance; this sensor, like the oxygen sensor, measures the quantity of air that enters your vehicle.

A faulty mass air flow sensor will cause your vehicle to have poor fuel economy, rough idling, and reduced performance. Once the mass airflow sensor is faulty, the check engine light will automatically be triggered, indicating that you should troubleshoot and fix the fault as soon as possible.

Faulty Ignition Coil And Spark Plugs

The ignition coil and spark plugs are vital components for every gasoline engine that enables combustion. Whenever the ignition or spark plug is faulty, that vehicle’s engine will malfunction or, in a worst-case scenario, not work.

Even faults as simple as an insulating coat of combustion byproducts on the spark plug can cause the spark plug not to produce adequate spark, thereby triggering the engine check light. In addition to triggering the engine check light, this kind of fault will cause the vehicle to misfire and perform poorly.

Whenever your ignition system has any challenges, fixing it as soon as possible and replacing all worn-out components is advisable.

A Bad Alarm Systems

As strange as it may sound, a faulty alarm system can cause your check engine light to come on. Alarm systems are very useful in safety and car protection protocols. However, if the alarm system malfunctions, it can cause your check engine light to illuminate or damage other vehicle components; therefore, it is wise to avoid installing quality alarm systems on your vehicle.

There is a Loose Gas Cap

Another tricky fault that activates the check engine light is a used gas cap. What are the odds you will forget to properly close your gas cap after filling it? Most people will think that it is highly improbable, but these things happen, and when the gas cap is loose, the fuel system will malfunction as the gas tanks will not have the appropriate pressure to operate effectively.

Whenever the gas cap is loose, the check engine light will be triggered and will not go off until the gas cap is properly locked. Diagnosing this problem is usually tricky as the gas cap might be closed but not tightened properly. Besides causing the engine check light to come on, having a loose gas cap is dangerous as gasoline is explosive, and gasoline fumes escape into the atmosphere.

If the gas cap is faulty or damaged, it is advisable to get a replacement as soon as possible or employ the services of an expert to fix it.

How To Reset Engine Check Light in Prius With Odometer

There are different techniques for resetting the engine check light.

Here are simple steps to follow when resetting the engine check light with the odometer technique.

• Put off your vehicle and keep the key slotted into the ignition.
• Ensure the car brakes are down. Will you turn on the vehicle as you press the odometer trip button simultaneously
• Turn the vehicle off again while holding the odometer button and brake, then repeat the process all over again
• Once you have completed this technique, the odometer display will show dashed lines and restart a countdown starting from 0000000.
• Once the odometer has been reset, the engine check light will turn off

Can I Reset Pirus Check Engine Light with a Code Reader?

Here are simple steps to resetting your check engine light with a code reader;

• Locate the on-board diagnostic connector and connect the code reader to it
• Turn on the new ignition and put on the scanner
• Once the car is running for about a minute, some cold will be displayed on the screen of the code reader.
• Decode is code using your vehicle’s owner manual to know the default causing your engine check light to come on.
• Visit a professional mechanic once you know the faults in the vehicle and get them fixed
• Once you have fixed the error of fault in your verbal, you can clear or erase the error codes

Please ensure all other accessories and electronics in the vehicle are turned off when troubleshooting your vehicle with a code reader. Other methods include:

• Disconnect The Car Battery
• Turn the Ignition On And Off
• Restarting The Fuse Of The Car
• Get Mechanical Help

Also Read: TRAC Off and Check Engine Light Toyota Corolla (Solved)

Frequently Asked Questions – Prius Reset Check Engine Light

Conclusion – Prius Reset Check Engine Light

Whenever the check engine light is illuminated on your Toyota Prius, it signifies a fault within your engine that is causing the vehicle not to perform at its stipulated level of performance. This article has helped us understand the different causes of a trigger check engine light and ways of fixing and resetting the check engine light.