Blinking Fuel Guage (All Bars) and “Mi”

Hello Prius forum members.

I do lurk around here gathering info etc. I’m not new to prius repairs at all. I’ve done many things for myself and others (abs, hybrid batt rebuilds, combo meters, Key fobs reprogramming ...etc) so I’m very knowledgeable in the gen 2 and 3 Prius vehicles. And I do use techstream.

But this one has be stumped. Now to first state. I HAVE searched here and on the internet. Let me say that’s its NOT the inclination sensor. Nor is it the actual unit/wire plug on the combo meter or reset sensor/calibration. So please do not suggest that as I have already tried. I even swapped in a while other dash to try and eliminate the problem.

Here’s how it goes.

Put car into ready mode.
Approx 15-20secs later the whole fuel guage (all bars) will flash and so will the “mi” which is right next to the odometer reading will flash together.

I’ve tried all the relevant tricks and fixes above and it’s not going away. I can’t seem to find any answers on the internet besides what’s already stated.

Please don’t tell me it’s the 12v battery as that’s new and so is the hybrid battery it’s a complete new unit. (Got lucky)

2007 Prius touring
180k
Good shape otherwise. Just replaced the abs. And a wheel bearing. Combo meter was also going out so fixed that and also replaced inverter coolant pump.

The vehicle drives fine otherwise.

I would really appreciate some help.

I hope I didn’t sound to harsh in the beginning of the post. Just trying to not have people waste their time by suggesting those things.

Thanks!

 

Techstream is not reporting anything which is another Wth. You would think it would. The master reset has been performed because I changed the combo meter. Had to kill the battery for the airbag unplug to remove the dash.

 

sorry what i meant to say was, i had to change the combo meter because it was faulty (going black) so i had done the master reset that time because i had to unplug the battery. The blinking fiasco has been going on before i changed the combo meter. I changed the combo meter mainly for the blank going dead issue, but also to check the inclination sensor wires (small wires/plug on side of combo meter) and also since i changed the combo meter to eliminate a faulty meter. I also went even a step further and changed the whole dash top (people who have done the combo meter know what i mean) and when i did change the dash top that was Another combo meter as well. So its easy to say its not the combo meter(s)

 

it seems like its gonna be some sort of fuel sender issue or something because otherwise car runs fine etc. Regarding the network issues, i would assume techstream would give a code or at the very least something else would not function right.

im really not interested in changing a tank, but wondering if the sender is changeable? anyone else got any input?

thanks

 

one thing i did notice is that when the car is off for some time.... after going into ready, the issue is not present. but when i put it into drive it starts after 2 secs. if that does help

 

What really pisses me off is there was one video by LuciousGarage on ebay, and like many of their videos, they just leave people guessing. Now it could be the same inclination wires/reset but still they should have posted what the deal was.... blah.... anyways... update..

Put gas in about $10 and it does register the fuel (it went up like 1-2bars since it was already above half) but i put in gas mainly to see what it would do. At first i thought success it went away but sadly after a block it came back. I did the Inclination Reset again just to be sure and same deal.

One thing i did notice is, for those familiar with the combo meter/ dash removal. There are 2 white connectors ( large ones) which connect the combo meter and the other dash lights/sensors etc to the rest of the car. its right above the steering wheel. Anyways. If i unplug this with the car running, the combo meter will obviously shut off along with the all the lights etc. When reconnecting the gas guage is pretty much in the state of when you are running out of gas and on your last bar (last bar blinking state) the "mi" is not blinking. But after connecting, it will stay solid to what the tank has of gas. And again, when you shift to drive, it starts to blink after 30secs or whatver.

I did get a code with my obd2 scanner (just changed inverter coolant pump) so needed to reset the triangle lights etc. and noticed i had a code pending of p2420 now im a little familiar with this code as i seen it on a different car. But what im wondering for those who might have more experience with this code, Will this cause directly, or indirectly the issue iam having? Its an emissions related code but emissions componants do have certain connections and related functions with the gas tank/fumes etc.

the code p2420.
Evaporative Emission Pressure Switch Valve Stuck OFF

i do realize it could be the gas cap not right, but i will double check because i filled gas like i said, and hopefully the code doesnt return, but my question is if it would relate to my situation.

 

I saw on another thread, a guy was having codes

P0455 and P0441 codes: "Evaporative Emission Control System Incorrect Purge Flow" and "Evaporative Emission Control System Leak Detected (Gross Leak)"

He stated he was able to reach the fuel sending unit under the rear seat and take these pics. Anyone know if this is true? Sorry i dont quite remember the ridiculous many times i removed the seat for a hv battery change or to clean some crap under there but i dont remember seeing this. if anyone could confirm and maybe i could go check the connections etc just to be sure its not hammered in some way.

From a friend that gave some advice, he told me to not pursue dropping the tank etc. Its not worth the hassle and just to live with the flashing nonsense especially since the guage seems to be working etc. So i rather check these connections and crap first if possible under the seat.

thanks

 

OK, But we are talking about gen 2