03 prius no brakes! car barking, from under the hood.

Discussion in 'Generation 1 Prius Discussion' started by jtuchol, Sep 21, 2015.

  1. jtuchol

    jtuchol Member

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    2012 Prius Plug-in
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    Plug-in Base
    no brakes, no brake pedal until get down at very bottom before it grips then it stops car, bought car this way, good price ( least I thought) abs lite & brake lite on looked for other threads all vague on subject. where do I start. also I have a good running & driving parts car too ( not road legal.)
     
  2. jdenenberg

    jdenenberg EE Professor

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    You probably have air in your brake hydraulic system. The "bark" happens when air bubbles are forced through ports in the ABS manifold located on the firewall. Have your brake system drained and refilled with new fluid. the bleeding process should solve the problem as long as the system is sealed. You may have to replace the ABS manifold ($$) if it reoccurs.

    If you can drive your Prius down to Southern Indiana, Steve at Prius hybrids sales and service Scottsburg Indiana can fix it at a reasonable price using salvaged parts

    JeffD
     
  3. jtuchol

    jtuchol Member

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    how can air get in there if system shows no signs of being open up? I read somewhere that brakes have to be bled through a computer that plugs in & does it? ( would have to by soft ware & plug for lap top)
     
  4. jdenenberg

    jdenenberg EE Professor

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    My 2004 Prius had the "bark" several years ago. Bleeding the front right brake (at the dealer) fixed it. There was no sign as to how the air got into the system and the problem has not reoccurred.

    JeffD
     
  5. jtuchol

    jtuchol Member

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    did you have brakes?
     
  6. jdenenberg

    jdenenberg EE Professor

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    Mine still worked, but it sounds ;like your brake fluid level is very low.

    JeffD
     
  7. jtuchol

    jtuchol Member

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    fluid is right up to the top of reservoir nice & clean, I looked at car last nite looks like the pads & rotors look newer. I found the name of person that traded it in I am going to give them a call and ask them what happen to the brakes. ( I bought from small dealer that got from bigger Toyota dealer)