new here, gen 1 problems, no ready light, won't start

Discussion in 'Generation 1 Prius Discussion' started by Merkurfan, Oct 3, 2025 at 10:25 PM.

  1. Merkurfan

    Merkurfan New Member

    Joined:
    Yesterday
    1
    0
    0
    Location:
    Minnesota
    Vehicle:
    2003 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    cars history. ain't got any of it.
    How I got it. Impound sale. no keys.
    how it's going pulled lockset and imobilizer ECU (that little bugger is hard to get with big hands)
    installed the ingnition lock assemby and ECU. key turns on dash, lights up and flashing red security light stops.
    Found car had sat since 19.. high voltage battery, not so high. Found prolong charger in truck charged overnight. battery no good sever packs very low voltage (probably why it's been sitting) went to my favorite salvage yard and they gave me a remaned pack that sat to long and was dead. No problem the prolong can charge it.. installed the pack and connected the 2 prolong leads the same way (and per their directions) charged battery over night.
    the red triangle is gone. Icon T10 (launch basically) says all systems are happy. No codes present in anything (after clearing a P3006 I think it was)
    still won't ready or start
    12 volt battery sitting at 12.8V stays at that when I turn key to "start" but the info screen goes dark (the odometer screen stays list)

    access the data stream from the ECM one line bugs me Start=Proibitied.

    but there is nothing telling me why. Not sure where to go from here.

    Thanks!
     
  2. VintagePrius

    VintagePrius Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 2, 2021
    12
    3
    0
    Location:
    UK
    Vehicle:
    1998 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Just a possibility…it might be a brake pedal issue.
    To go into READY I think you have to press the brake pedal while pressing the POWER button on a Gen 1. (Not sure as I have a Gen 0) So, if the brake switch is bad or misadjusted, the car won’t see the pedal input.
    Do the brake lights come on when you press the pedal? If not, the switch may be dodgy.
     
  3. Trombone

    Trombone Active Member

    Joined:
    Oct 26, 2019
    308
    104
    0
    Location:
    Allentown, Pennsylvania
    Vehicle:
    2002 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Key turn readies the gen. 1; no power button. Brake pedal not required to start.