Any time something goes wrong on one of these hybrids, minor or major, a code is placed in memory in the computer system. The codes are temporary because over time and usage, if the code does not come back, and you do not see a dealer, the computer will eventually forget the code. The Prius has a large red triangle with exclamation point in it on the dash. Sometimes it can come on for something as minor as having the vehicle in a drive mode and opening the door, but usually when it comes on, it is a major issue. Well, whatever the computer saw that made it bring up the red triangle of death is stored in the system computer, but not permanently. If you take it into the dealer they should hook it up to their diagnostic computer and read the code and determine what to do next.

The Honda doesn't have the "red triangle of death" however it does have various engine lights and system lights and they pose the same purpose. If the lights came on for you, then you have a problem, codes were stored and those codes mean something.

But your conclusion about your service staff there on the island is probably correct, they don't have a clue, and they don't understand the car.

Again, Georga's suggestion is correct, you should also be speaking with the regional service manager.

 

Autozone will also hook up a code reader to your car for free if you drop by there some time.

 

Thank you so much for the explanation, JeromeP. I get it now. The way the service dept called them temporary and was dismissive of them made the codes sound less meaningful. I will get a record and I will get in touch with the regional service manager. This is so much more helpful than "your car is running within accepted specs and you need to come pick it up." Once I get the codes, does anyone know how I can help myself research the possible malfunction? Here? A special website?

 

The codes often time give a brief description. LIke I said, take it to autozone. They will pull the codes for you and explain them for free.

 

I understand that all car manufacturers and repair shops rely on these codes, which makes me wonder how anyone ever repaired anything prior to...say 1980's without these codes?

Could it be laziness in relying only on computer data lacking the good'ol detective troubleshooting work of yesteryear?

 

I'm WAY not a mechanic, but IMO, there are computer codes now because there are computers that control much of the engine. I know my '66 Mustang looked very non-tech compared to my HAH!

 

[QUOTE=Kamaaina]= The way the service dept called them temporary and was dismissive of them made the codes sound less meaningful....

Calling a code temporary is not dismissive, it is a technical term used by all manufacturers. A temporary code is a code that has occured but the MIL light has gone back off due to a sufficient number of trips having occured without re-occurance (usualy 3). The related data is saved in computer memory for much longer and includes info like MPH, volts, RPM, etc.

 

They repaired things by saying "Hmm, I dunno, maybe it's this? Let's buy that part, replace it and see if the problem goes away?" Either that or it's a part that doesn't exist yet. After all, you can't have your MAP sensor, TPS sensor, or secondary O2 fail on a car that never even had such things. Back in the days before fuel injection, emissions were terrible, fuel economy for any given horsepower was terrible, and cars certainly didn't have a light that came on and told you something wasn't working right.

My first car was a 1983 Nissan Maxima which got 12mpg when I got it. I didn't know anything about cars, so I figured that hey, it's an old car (this is 1993 we're talking about, so it was already 10 years old) so since I've heard that old cars from the 60's only got 8-12mpg, I guess my car getting 12mpg must be normal. Uh-huh. So a few months later I noticed it smelled like gas every time I started it up. Turns out the fuel injector(s) liked to stay pegged open under certain conditions, causing it to run waaaay richer than it should.

In a modern car, it would have thrown a MIL because if the ECU can't bring a car in stoich via the long-term fuel trim correction, it will trigger the MIL. It would have a code specifically stating a failure along those lines, and that would tell you right away that either the O2 sensor failed or you've got a fuel system problem. This would have happened long before the problem was so bad that I was getting 12mpg. Well, $650 and a new half-dozen injectors later suddenly I have a car that gets 18-20mpg and doesn't smell like gas anymore. I honestly do feel that electronics help keep cars running a lot better now than they ever used to in the past.

 

I would say that the invent of the computer codes make troubleshooting much more efficient, but the good auto mechanics of pre-1980's were not just mindlessly replacing things.
Poor mechanics who didn't have a clue were more apt to just throw parts at it.

Given the proper trouble/diagnosis tests were ran....fuel pump pressure.....hoses, applical electrical connections were checked....fuel injector spray or carburator was checked.
If it was running hot then perhaps the thermostat was checked with boiling water, etc.

I think computer codes are a great tool:
Just not an end-all diagnosis.