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Master warning light + Air bag + VSC + the exclamation point lights all came on

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Technical Discussion' started by doctorman, Jan 11, 2010.

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  1. doctorman

    doctorman Member

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    Master warning light + Air bag + VSC + the exclamation point lights all came on
    drove the car and turned off an on the VSC and exlamamtion went away
    drove more and off and on the car only Master warning light was the only one on and finally after that it went away.

    this episode has happened to me at least 2 time s in the past week or so any way to figure out what causes it?

    also when the master warning light is on can an OBD II read the code?


    EDIT answer: based on the suggestion of couple of the members this is caused by a bad battery 12v, and needs to be replaced. if the problem persists i will report back.
     
    #1 doctorman, Jan 11, 2010
  2. dogfriend

    dogfriend Human - Animal Hybrid

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    Yes. When the master warning light is on, it means that code(s) have been set and can be read with an appropriate scan tool. You really need to have it read, because there are literally hundreds of codes possible.

    One thought: How old is the 12v battery? It can cause a lot of spurious warnings and strange behavior when it is on its last legs.
     
    #2 dogfriend, Jan 11, 2010
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  3. doctorman

    doctorman Member

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    It is funny you mentioned the 12v battery. I didn't use the car for 2 weeks and it died, it came back to life after full day of driving around
    now when I go to diagnostic menu the batteries charge is never more than 11.8V and when I turn the headlights on it goes to 11.5 couldn't turn anymore things on while in the menu. got the car used so no idea if the battery has been changed or not at all since 2005.

    -->> Can I read the code using an OBD II device or do I need fancier devices?
     
    #3 doctorman, Jan 11, 2010
  4. richard schumacher

    richard schumacher shortbus driver

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    The 12V battery is dying. Replace it and most likely all the weirdness will stop.
     
    #4 richard schumacher, Jan 11, 2010
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  5. doctorman

    doctorman Member

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    -->> Can I read the code using an OBD II device or do I need fancier devices?

    also should I go with the optima d51 battery + elearnaid kit for 150$ or should I go for the original for around 115$ ?
     
    #5 doctorman, Jan 11, 2010
  6. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    I agree that you need to replace the 12V battery. $115 is a great price for the Toyota battery. I paid ~$135 plus sales tax for that, a few weeks ago.
     
    #6 Patrick Wong, Jan 11, 2010
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  7. doctorman

    doctorman Member

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    found that price here
    https://www.toyotapartsbarn.com/replacement-parts.html



    Electrical, Battery, Battery, W/smart key, W/smart key - 12 volt - 12 volt 1 $138.70 $102.64 $0.00 $102.64 Total: $102.64 Estimated Shipping: Domestic International 13.34



    anyway what should I do
    should I go with the original and save myself from customizing or is the trouble and extra $$ worth the optima d51 ?



    EDIT: SINCE DHL DOES NOT WORK DOMESTIC THEY CAN NOT SHIP IT ANYMORE...
     
    #7 doctorman, Jan 11, 2010
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  8. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    Well, my choice was to remain with the original as I do not see the value in Optima that some other members do.

    Let us know if that Ohio dealer you cited will honor your battery parts order. Some will not ship batteries as they are hazardous material. This is why I bought my battery from a local Tucson dealer.
     
    #8 Patrick Wong, Jan 11, 2010
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  9. dogfriend

    dogfriend Human - Animal Hybrid

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    Really only you can decide. Your current battery is probably 5 years old (assuming it is original) which is pretty good life for a lead acid battery. Theoretically, the Optima should be better, but no one has had one long enough to prove that it will last any longer than the Toyota battery. My opinion is that it should.

    Re: Scan Tool - a generic scan tool should be able to get the standard OBD 2 codes, but won't be able to read the specialized Toyota codes - also it must be compatible with CAN bus.
     
    #9 dogfriend, Jan 11, 2010
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  10. doctorman

    doctorman Member

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    original battery it is! why put myself through hell who know who will have this car in 5 years lol
     
    #10 doctorman, Jan 11, 2010
  11. Politburo

    Politburo Active Member

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    AGM batteries are not considered hazardous material for shipping purposes.
     
    #11 Politburo, Jan 11, 2010
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  12. doctorman

    doctorman Member

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    well the guy i spoke with said that prius batteries have a special UN number that the shipping companies are afraid of...
     
    #12 doctorman, Jan 11, 2010
  13. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    What will your local Toyota dealers charge for the 12V battery? You now know the MSRP is $139, so how does their pricing compare?
     
    #13 Patrick Wong, Jan 11, 2010
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  14. doctorman

    doctorman Member

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    wow dealers are stealers
    called my local dealer
    -how much for prius battery
    -175$
    -but the MSRP is listed at 138.70$
    -oh that is for insurance companies
    -dont worry about it I can get it for 120$ shipped from other dealers
    -I can give it to you for MSRP price if you come now.
    -no thanks

    WOW
     
    #14 doctorman, Jan 11, 2010
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  15. doctorman

    doctorman Member

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    I went with optima d51 battery plus the kit at the end
    I figured for the same price i might as well get the better battery.
     
    #15 doctorman, Jan 11, 2010
  16. Sandy

    Sandy Hippi Chick

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    wait a week bet thats it mine gave me al gremlins until i replaced it
     
    #16 Sandy, Jan 11, 2010
  17. richard schumacher

    richard schumacher shortbus driver

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    One benefit of eLearnaid is that they have been very good about fully charging the battery immediately before shipping it. With some others, even dealers, that can be a crapshoot.

    Be sure to get the installation kit from eLearnaid also. Without it you will go mad trying to get the cables and the vent tube to fit. There is no direct drop-in replacement for the Toyota battery, so without a kit some amount of adaptation is always needed.
     
    #17 richard schumacher, Jan 11, 2010
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  18. CharlesJ

    CharlesJ Member

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    Are you just now discovering this? ;):D

    But save that Ohio dealer as other parts can be had for a very good internet price and the shipping is minimal if you order extra stuff, especially if you are doing your own oil/filter changes and some light maintenance like cabin air filters, etc.
     
    #18 CharlesJ, Jan 11, 2010
  19. doctorman

    doctorman Member

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    I always wonder how easy it is to change your own oil and filter?
    do you lift the car and how?
     
    #19 doctorman, Jan 11, 2010
  20. CharlesJ

    CharlesJ Member

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    I haven't changed oil in mine yet, coming on very soon, but, I crawled under it for a look to see if the multi sided socket I got from the dealer will fit and it seems I should be able to get to the filter without lifting it. And, the oil pan is also accessible and allows the pan to fit under it. To drain all I can, I will lift the front left a bit as if I was changing the tire.
    I think others do lift it some though.
     
    #20 CharlesJ, Jan 12, 2010
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