ICE runs with no status

ServoScanMan · #1 (**permalink**) 04-28-2006, 03:24 PM

I just bought a new 2006 Prius. I live about 10 miles from work. I noticed that when I arrive at work, driving in the parking lot with 'battery' power only (indicated on MFD) that the ICE is running. Is this normal? Should I report this to my local dealer?

mustang67408 · #2 (**permalink**) 04-28-2006, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ServoScanMan

I just bought a new 2006 Prius. I live about 10 miles from work. I noticed that when I arrive at work, driving in the parking lot with 'battery' power only (indicated on MFD) that the ICE is running. Is this normal? Should I report this to my local dealer?

Not sure what your referring to "ICE"?
please explain just a bit more
Thanks

ServoScanMan · #3 (**permalink**) 04-28-2006, 08:31 PM

I 'thought' ICE is for Internal Combustion Engine. I may be confused, it won't be the first time. Is this not the correct terminalogy?

Anyway, the gasoline engine which recharges the batteries and applies power shows to have no power flow to the electric motor. The only power flow shown is from the batteries to the electric motor. I just thought it's strange to have no indication for the engine but to hear it running. Do you think this is normal or have you noticed this?

ServoScanMan · #4 (**permalink**) 04-28-2006, 08:35 PM

Hey Mustang,

I just noticed you are from Henderson. We lived near Pecos and Windmill. We moved from Henderson,NV to Lorena,TX in 2002. Our Discovery motorhome came from Findlay RV. I may have an old friend you know in Henderson. His name is Chris Lamb and he is a Matco Tool Rep. Anyway, just want to say 'Hello'.

mustang67408 · #5 (**permalink**) 04-29-2006, 04:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ServoScanMan

Hey Mustang,

I just noticed you are from Henderson. We lived near Pecos and Windmill. We moved from Henderson,NV to Lorena,TX in 2002. Our Discovery motorhome came from Findlay RV. I may have an old friend you know in Henderson. His name is Chris Lamb and he is a Matco Tool Rep. Anyway, just want to say 'Hello'.

Hello hope all is well with you.
I live near Colledge and Mission (on the way to Boulder City)
Yes, I do know Chris Lamb

Your terminology is ok with me, I just wanted to be sure we were talking about the same thing

If the engine is running then it should show on the screen. It should show it either powering the axles, chargiung the battery or any combination there of and more.
The 2004 and a few 2005's had a problem with the NAV unit. We replace them with exchange units and problem is usually cured. Its an internal NAV Problem and has to be swapped out. I would see the dealer. Sometimes the NAV malfunction will also cause the A/C not to work properly.
The "ICE" wont run unless it is doing something and the screen should show what it is doing.
Hope this helps.
I will look next week and pay specific attention to this on a 06 that I have coming in for a service.

ServoScanMan · #6 (**permalink**) 04-29-2006, 07:15 PM

Thanks for the reply. I'll call the dealer next week and tell them about it.

If you can remember, the next time you see Chris Lamb, tell him I said "Howdy"!

Thanks again.

mustang67408 · #7 (**permalink**) 05-02-2006, 12:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ServoScanMan

Thanks for the reply. I'll call the dealer next week and tell them about it.

If you can remember, the next time you see Chris Lamb, tell him I said "Howdy"!

Thanks again.

Who should I say is twlling him "HOWDY"?
I will probably see him next friday.

ServoScanMan · #8 (**permalink**) 05-07-2006, 05:44 AM

Mustang,

Sorry about the brain fade. Tell Chris that David Whiteside and family said 'hi'. Thanks again.

mustang67408 · #9 (**permalink**) 05-07-2006, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ServoScanMan

Mustang,

Sorry about the brain fade. Tell Chris that David Whiteside and family said 'hi'. Thanks again.

No problem , will do

statultra · #10 (**permalink**) 07-30-2006, 09:20 PM

If the ICE is warming up, or expelling excessive battery power it would run and not show it on the screen, this is no cause for a alarm.

mustang67408 · #11 (**permalink**) 08-25-2006, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by statultra

If the ICE is warming up, or expelling excessive battery power it would run and not show it on the screen, this is no cause for a alarm.

This is incorrect, whenever the engine is running it always shows up on the display screen. Hot or cold makes no difference.

KArn Atull · #12 (**permalink**) 08-25-2006, 02:52 PM

I don't pretend to know how this system works but, how does running the ICE dispell excessive battery power?

mustang67408 · #13 (**permalink**) 08-25-2006, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KArn Atull

I don't pretend to know how this system works but, how does running the ICE dispell excessive battery power?

It DOESN'T. Once the batery is full, the Engine shuts off. (end of story)
If the battery is full and your braking (regenerative braking), the engine is off, the ecu turns off the regenerative braking.
Once the battery is full, it stops charging, there will be no excessive battery power to dispell. It cant overcharge.
Your right, it doesnt make sense.

MattInMD · #14 (**permalink**) 08-25-2006, 09:35 PM

Agreed, the ICE will NOT run to attempt to drain off excess battery power. If the prius did need to do so, It could always dump it into the electric motor.

That said, where would "excess" battery power come from? If the battery is full, the computer stops using regenerative braking and uses the brake pads. You can never get "excess" battery power, unless your computer malfunctions.

That said, it's important to know the energy display only shows when energy is being TRANSFERED. ie: it shows the state of the transmission. It does not show when the engine is running. If the engine is running, but the transmission to it is in neutral, it will show no arrows.

The computer often does this if it thinks you will wind up needing the gas engine really soon, or if it hasn't warmed up yet.

As long as the car is warmed up and the battery is charged, when you hit the brakes the engine will usually shut down right away. Read up on the web tips on "stealth mode" to understand this better. (note: this isn't a mode you select by gears, it just means your actions on the gas and brake have caused the computer to shut down the ICE).

However, it's also important to know that the prius WILL NOT stop the engine from spinning if you are doing over 42mph, and generally won't do it over 35mph. (42mph is the absolute top-speed the electric motor can propel the prius to when working alone). At this speed, the prius cannot react to your accelerator by using the electric. In order to ensure that the engine is ready if you suddenly need to hit the gas to avoid getting rear-ended, it keeps it going.

However, just because the ICE is spinning, doesn't mean it is burning gas. The prius can choose to let the pistons spin and shut off the fuel injectors. This adds drag, so it usually doesn't do it for long unless you're rolling downhill, but it does do it.

mustang67408 · #15 (**permalink**) 08-25-2006, 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MattInMD

Agreed, the ICE will NOT run to attempt to drain off excess battery power. If the prius did need to do so, It could always dump it into the electric motor.

That said, where would "excess" battery power come from? If the battery is full, the computer stops using regenerative braking and uses the brake pads. You can never get "excess" battery power, unless your computer malfunctions.

That said, it's important to know the energy display only shows when energy is being TRANSFERED. ie: it shows the state of the transmission. It does not show when the engine is running. If the engine is running, but the transmission to it is in neutral, it will show no arrows.

The computer often does this if it thinks you will wind up needing the gas engine really soon, or if it hasn't warmed up yet.

As long as the car is warmed up and the battery is charged, when you hit the brakes the engine will usually shut down right away. Read up on the web tips on "stealth mode" to understand this better. (note: this isn't a mode you select by gears, it just means your actions on the gas and brake have caused the computer to shut down the ICE).

However, it's also important to know that the prius WILL NOT stop the engine from spinning if you are doing over 42mph, and generally won't do it over 35mph. (42mph is the absolute top-speed the electric motor can propel the prius to when working alone). At this speed, the prius cannot react to your accelerator by using the electric. In order to ensure that the engine is ready if you suddenly need to hit the gas to avoid getting rear-ended, it keeps it going.

However, just because the ICE is spinning, doesn't mean it is burning gas. The prius can choose to let the pistons spin and shut off the fuel injectors. This adds drag, so it usually doesn't do it for long unless you're rolling downhill, but it does do it.