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Drives like Parking Brake is on

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by djinniman, Oct 10, 2017.

  1. djinniman

    djinniman New Member

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    First time poster, but as a budget-minded Prius owner, I've found these forums invaluable. I'm not much of a car guy but with help from here I've done several minor repairs that I wouldn't have been able to otherwise.

    Hopefully... this will be another one of those easy ones! We shall see.

    2006 Prius, US, base model, 180K miles. Drove quite a ways today, 150+ miles. Stopped at bank on way home, pulled out of parking lot and wheels spun. Red BRAKE light on, yellow ABS light on, and yellow ((!)) on. Car drives as if parking brake is engaged. Pulled over, depressed/released parking brake several times. Turned car off and on. Lights still on.

    Took a chance driving home. Acceleration was OK but it was in town so never over 25 or 30 mph. Every time I braked, the car would jerk to a stop before it normally would. I'm guessing a brake is still engaged somewhere. Is there a way to release the parking brake without using the foot pedal? I should note that I very rarely use the parking brake, if at all.

    Anyone have any ideas? Thanks so much in advance for your advice.
     
    #1 djinniman, Oct 10, 2017
  2. DonDNH

    DonDNH Senior Member

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    You have drum brakes on the rear where the parking brake operates. You'll probably need to have a brake shop or dealer help you if you have a stuck brake.

    Drive a short distance, then check each brake drum to see if it is warmer or hotter than the other. If not, you problem is probably elsewhere.
     
    #2 DonDNH, Oct 10, 2017
  3. djinniman

    djinniman New Member

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    I drove it twice around our block. Both back brakes felt the same, they were cool. The only heat I felt was on the rotors (shiny part, right? Sorry I am a newbie) on the front brakes. Both front rotors were quite warm.
     
    #3 djinniman, Oct 10, 2017
  4. fotomoto

    fotomoto Senior Member

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    The trouble lights have stored codes. Once you get those read, you can stop guessing.

    GOOD LUCK!
     
    #4 fotomoto, Oct 10, 2017
  5. djinniman

    djinniman New Member

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    I had a buddy hook up his sensor and the app, and the car kicked back no error codes.
     
    #5 djinniman, Oct 10, 2017
  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    perhaps the front pads are rubbing, are they original?
     
    #6 bisco, Oct 10, 2017
  7. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    What sensor, what app? There are a lot of computers in a Prius, and many sensors/apps don't talk to them all, leading people to think there are no codes. But there are, because that's why the warning lights come on.

    To get basic codes out of the braking computers, you don't even need a special sensor and app. You can use a short piece of wire to trigger the lights to blink, and count the blinks to get the codes. Details covered here in other threads.

    -Chap
     
    #7 ChapmanF, Oct 10, 2017
  8. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    perfect for the budget minded prius owner!(y)
     
    #8 bisco, Oct 10, 2017
  9. exstudent

    exstudent Senior Member

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    Pleas STOP driving the car, in its current state, on public roads. You are a hazard. Continuing to drive will eventually lead to brake FAILURE, resulting in an accident.

    If you have "budget-minded" liability insurance, increase your liability amounts, considerably, until you get the vehicle repaired. Remember, insurance is there to help protect you from financial loss/ruin.

    Take the car to a mechanic that is competent, to work on the Prius. You and your buddy are out of your league: lack proper code reader (miniVCI w/ Techstream), Factory service manual, and higher level of automotive mechanical aptitude to tackle the current repair.

    In time, your skills and aptitude will increase. Now might not be the time to tackle this since you know you are a beginner.
     
    #9 exstudent, Oct 11, 2017
  10. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    Or, at least, get a wire, read the blink codes, and post them here.

    -Chap
     
    #10 ChapmanF, Oct 11, 2017
  11. JimN

    JimN Let the games begin!

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    You still have mechanical brakes. Just my opinion: The next trip that car should take is to the dealer to get the brake problem diagnosed and repaired. Post the DTC so we can offer informed opinions on the proposed repairs.
     
    #11 JimN, Oct 11, 2017
  12. djinniman

    djinniman New Member

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    Thanks all, for the advice. I've been getting our backup vehicle up to par the past couple days, but I hope to get back to the Prius this weekend. I'll look up this blink code wire thing, and see what it says. After that, it's off to the mechanic!
     
    #12 djinniman, Oct 13, 2017
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