My 2001 Prius just started playing with me the other day. The ! symbol showed up upon starting it and then went away the next day. That was about a week ago. The other day I started it up and seemed really sluggish. The temperature light (I think) came on and then after about 5 minutes I shut the car off, let it sit for a minute and then started it up again. The light and the sluggishness went away. That was a few days ago. Yesterday the ! symbol came back on. I didn't drive it today hoping it would be gone tomorrow... The only code on it right now is the catalytic converter with the engine light because of that item. Any chances someone out there might know what is going on?
We need the specific code(s). But there is a hydrocarbon converter (HC) that has a flap to capture the startup emissions. There have been reports of corrosion causing the flap mechanism to fail. If closed, the car will act as if something is partially blocking the exhaust . . . the HC flap. Bob Wilson
