[billberry]

I am driving a 2005 prius with about 6000 miles on it. Occasionally, when I am accelerating the engine starts racing and doesn't let up when I remove my foot from the pedal, even when I am apply the brake. Its as if it were in cruisee control when its not. Any suggestions?

 

[Guest]

I'd take it back to the dealer and ask him if you can exchange it for a dodge durango.

 

[Tideland Prius]

Take it to a dealer. There might be an issue with the electronic throttle. Any warning lights?

 

[john1701a]

If that happens while the engine is still warming up and has no influence on the speed of the vehicle, then you have experienced an "emissions purge" event... which is perfectly normal operation, though rare.

 

[hyperion]

Please explain "emissions Purge" event along with "normal" operation." A few things like this along with the "frying" of the ECU's and my hybrid days may be limited.
Fortunately my 18 month old car with 12,000 miles on it has been "normal" in every way but I don't want to start having to "Knock on wood."

 

[galaxee]

no check engine lights? do you have the mat clips in place to keep the floor mats down?

 

[jeromep]

To be very honest engine "raceing" isn't really something you have to worry about considering that there is a top end RPM limiter at 5000 rpm. In the land of Japanese 4 cylinders, 5k rpm is nothing when many manufacturers have 4 cylinders that easily do 8, 9 and 10k rpm without a whimper (that would be nearly all the manufacturers).

Now, if your problem happens on a predictable basis and you believe it can be replicated in front of the dealer, or by the dealer all on their own then by all means go in and let the tech hear and experience it. The vehicle is so tighly integrated with regard to sensors and such, I'm inclined to believe that if there was something out of the ordinary going on that an OBD code would be sitting in the computer ready to be read by the tech and the testing equipment.

Now, consider this. When pulling long hills or when the vehicle determines that it needs surplus electrical power for some reason, it will rev up the engine to levels which do not correspond to ground speed or percieved effort the car needs to do what you are asking it to do. Some have described it as tranny slipping (which cannot happen with this vehicle) and others are just alarmed at the RPM that the vehicle sometimes attains at times and we are are not used to it happening.

 

[DanMan32]

Please explain "emissions Purge" event along with "normal" operation." A few things like this along with the "frying" of the ECU's and my hybrid days may be limited.
Fortunately my 18 month old car with 12,000 miles on it has been "normal" in every way but I don't want to start having to "Knock on wood."

I believe emissions purge is only on the classic. It had an adsorbtive catalytic which held onto the bad stuff, then reburned it when the engine was running optimally.