Blinking fuel gauge bars and other instrument cluster issues

Discussion in 'Generation 1 Prius Discussion' started by John Fish Kurmann, Apr 17, 2011.

  1. John Fish Kurmann

    John Fish Kurmann Junior Member

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    Hey, folks. I have a 2002 Prius with about 150,000 miles on it. A couple weeks ago, I noticed that the parking brake light on my instrument cluster didn't light up when I engaged it. Soon, all 10 bars on the fuel gauge started blinking. The seat belt reminder, open door warning, and headlight indicator lights aren't working, either. Anyone else experienced this problem? Any clues as to what could be causing all these malfunctions, or have I had more than one problem develop in close succession?
     
    #1 John Fish Kurmann, Apr 17, 2011
  2. Corwyn

    Corwyn Energy Curmudgeon

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    #2 Corwyn, Apr 18, 2011
  3. John Fish Kurmann

    John Fish Kurmann Junior Member

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    The starter battery is less than a year-and-a-half old (about 10,000 miles), the car starts without any difficulty, and the rest of the various lights on the instrument cluster light up, so that doesn't seem likely to be the problem. Why would you suspect it is?
     
    #3 John Fish Kurmann, Apr 18, 2011
  4. TonyPSchaefer

    TonyPSchaefer Your Friendly Moderator
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    My first inclination was to mention the 12v just like Corwyn, but then I saw that you said it's a 2002. Certainly, being a 2002 doesn't rule out the 12v but there might be something else that only a Gen1 owner can answer.

    I've drained my 12v twice. Both times, the gas pips and transmission indicators blinked at me. In your Gen1 perhaps it's just the gas pips. Follow Corwynn's link and swap out your 12v. See if that helps.

    And welcome to Priuschat! :welcome:
     
    #4 TonyPSchaefer, Apr 18, 2011
  5. bobofky

    bobofky Member

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    Pg 89 of 2001 Owner's Manual: "The fuel system malfunctions in the follow cases, so contact your Toyota dealer.
    o All fuel gauge segments blink.
    o The "E" mark and the segments that indicate the remaining fuel blink."
     
    #5 bobofky, Apr 25, 2011
  6. dpeverhart

    dpeverhart Member

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    John Fish Kurmann, have you resolved this issue yet? If so, what was the cause? I have a 2001 with the exact same symptoms. All segments of the fuel gauge are flashing and no dash light for e-brake, door ajar etc.
     
    #6 dpeverhart, Oct 17, 2012
  7. John Fish Kurmann

    John Fish Kurmann Junior Member

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    I took it to the dealer, who said that there was corrosion on the display circuit board. They tried to clean it but that didn't correct the problem so they said I would need to replace it for an estimated $636.60. That wasn't in my budget at the time, tho', so I put it off and, when the weather cooled, all the lights started working normally again. I thought it might recur this Summer, but I haven't had any further problems. I hope that helps.
     
    #7 John Fish Kurmann, Oct 17, 2012
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