Solar Panel Issue along with many others issues PLEASE READ

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by DarioBarrera, Feb 4, 2010.

  1. DarioBarrera

    DarioBarrera New Member

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    I honestly don't know if anyone has had this issue yet but I am starting to believe that the 2010 Prius was released with many issues and every time I take it to the dealer they say they can't do anything since they can't make the issue occur again.

    The most on going issue that I have been having is regarding the solar panel. Anytime I have it on I hear a loud sound from my engine area. I know that the fans are supposed to come on in order for air to enter the car but it's a lot louder then the fans usually are. When I asked the dealership they told me it's normal.

    I am going to list some of the other problems I have been having that the dealership with not fix. Maybe others have had better luck.

    I have had the break problem that I have seen posted where they become super sensitive.

    I had a very weird problem recently where my cruise control would not work at all. It completely stopped responding and I took it to the dealership right away. With my luck they turned the car off no matter how many times I told them not to and the problem went away.

    I have had the rough engine starts a few times. Usually after a few days of not driving.

    But one of the scariest problems I have had and I don't know if this is me over reacting is when I use the cruise control. I am in CA so the weather is pretty nice here so it has nothing to do with the weather or road conditions but when I use the cruise control and press the breaks to take control of the car myself I noticed that at times even though I have not set the cruise control again it will automatically start to accelerate on it's own. I really doubt it has anything to do with the pedal since I am not pressing it at the time and I am just letting it coast but it might have something to do with the cruise control system. Is it supposed to go back to cruise control is you start driving near the speed you had it set before you pressed on the breaks?

    Also is the dealer supposed to charge you $100 to look at your car if you are under warranty? The last time I went to the dealership they wanted me to pay in order for them to look at the car. I am really starting to hate Toyota.

    Hopefully someone can help.
     
    #1 DarioBarrera, Feb 4, 2010
  2. DarioBarrera

    DarioBarrera New Member

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    One last issue I just remembered, atleast for now. While driving at a normal speed (about 25-30 mph) I have noticed that the car will shake. This has happened a few times.
     
    #2 DarioBarrera, Feb 4, 2010
  3. 32kcolors

    32kcolors Senior Member

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    Why is this a concern? Do you hear it from inside the house or your workplace while it's sunbathing outside?

    I've had this happen to me but it's easy to correct. Just put your foot off the brake completely momentarily and it'll behave normally again.

    You actually drove straight to the dealer when it happened? The Prius is a computer and may need to be re-booted occasionally. Other members have had isolated incidents with the NAV, etc.

    Normal cold starts or the rare violent shaking reported here?

    No, unless you accidentally hit the stalk.

    What dealership is it? Maybe that's the going rate for Munchausen by Prius.

    The ICE coming on, most noticeable while the engine is cold?
     
    #3 32kcolors, Feb 4, 2010
  4. xvs

    xvs Member

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    Other people have noted that you need a really hard tap on the brakes to turn off the cruise control. It doesn't turn off on the first light pressure.

    I agree with you that this is a defect, and I hope they fix it.

    In the meantime, turn off the cruise if you don't want it on, by clicking the button at the end of the stalk and making sure that the light is off on the panel.
     
    #4 xvs, Feb 4, 2010
  5. DarioBarrera

    DarioBarrera New Member

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    Regarding the solar panel issue... it's wasn't loud at first. It seems that with time it has gotten constantly louder.

    Regarding the cruise... Yes, I was at a life drawing workshop and this happened while I was on my way home. Since the dealership is on the way I stopped by and like always they did nothing.

    Regarding the shaking... It was a really loud and violent shaking. My wife was in the car and she was completely shocked.

    Regarding the cruise issue... I am pretty good at not messing with the stalk. It's actually something that has happened a few times. I haven't had the issue that many people are talking about where they have to press down on the pedal really hard in order for the cruise to turn off. The main issue is that is will turn on randomly while the cruise is still set.

    Regarding the dealer pricing... Muchausen? Come on these are real concerns. If you just spent 35k on a brand new car and a dealership isn't willing to honor the warranty then that should be a major concern. My wife has a Camry Hybrid from another dealership and they have never asked for money at all. I own a Chrysler 300 and again the dealership has never charged me to look at it.

    Regarding the shaking... I live in California most mornings don't get that cold and the weather is usually pretty nice. I don't see why the car would shake or make noises.
     
    #5 DarioBarrera, Feb 4, 2010
  6. 32kcolors

    32kcolors Senior Member

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    Again, why is this a concern? Do you hear it inside your home or workplace?

    If you're going to take the car in for every little things which you don't even know is reproducible, they're not going to take you seriously for real problems. Treat it like a computer and re-boot before declaring something a real concern.

    Sounds like a rare, known issue experienced by some here, including Tideland. My guess is it happened only once.

    Sounds like a real defect, but I'm not sure if your local dealer will take you seriously anymore because you've taken your car in for too many trivial issues. My advice is to take it to a different dealer for this one.

    35k is hardly a lot of money for a new car, but even 250k cars have issues too. I'd say you have only one real concern here (the cruise control).

    I live in the same area too and rough engine shaking is normal when the ICE first comes on after a cold start and when it shuts off the first or two times until it's warmed up.
     
    #6 32kcolors, Feb 4, 2010
  7. HTMLSpinnr

    HTMLSpinnr Super Moderator
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    During the winter months, the solar panel doesn't create as much power. The motor will "groan" as it attempts to start up. Additionally, once it does, it either puts too much load on the panel, or the air temp is cool enough to warrant shutting off again. I consider this normal.

    If you don't, consider using a quality camera (i.e. not a Cell Phone) and making a YouTube video to share your concerns.
     
    #7 HTMLSpinnr, Feb 5, 2010
  8. Carnutt

    Carnutt Member

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    I would not pay the dealer a single cent for warranty work. Furthermore, I would threaten to take the story of your being charged to Toyota's regional office, and even more importantly, to a local news station. All they (the dealer) and Toyota needs is more bad press.
     
    #8 Carnutt, Feb 5, 2010
  9. 32kcolors

    32kcolors Senior Member

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    Don't worry, it's obvious that the OP is the only one being charged the $100 by the dealer because it's a case of Munchausen by Prius and they're trying to discourage him from bringing it in for every little trivial, non-existing problem. You can tell by the OP's demanding that the dealer not turn off the car so as not to lose the "problem" and getting pissed with "as usual, they did nothing." A normal owner would be happy there's nothing actually wrong with the car.
     
    #9 32kcolors, Feb 5, 2010
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