A PSA for Gen 2 Prius Owners...

Just wanted to pass this info along, looks I have been thru a lot of unnecessary stress the past several months with my 2005 base prius. I bought it from a used car dealer in July 2018 with 109k miles. It now has 176k miles. It has been a dream to drive compared to so many other cars I've had, (my last vehicle was a Ford Expedition) but in the past few months it has turned into a nightmare. I started seeing the dashboard go out a few months ago and then the ABS system which renders the car very dangerous to drive. I went on youtube and tried all the tricks such as the paper clip method to clear the ABS lights and unplugging the 12v battery and plugging it back in to make the dashboard lights / cruise control come back on. Those tricks do work, but I should have gone with the first post I read on this site. Some guy here mentioned that 99% of the time its just the 12v battery that needs to be replaced. Several times I ran a diagnostic test of the battery and felt that it was in the correct range, so I ruled this out. I was only dipping to 11.9 volts for a second and then jumped up to and stayed at 12 even with the lights on. Electrical issues can be really wonky is all I can say. I talked to a guy at autozone a few days ago and told him the range and he said he gets prius owners coming in every 2 years to get another battery and that I should replace it asap. Now It seems that it may have indeed been the 12v battery that needed to be replaced as the dashboard lights are back on, its got a little more pep, and the ABS brake lights / exclamation point have gone off. Also the reverse beep is coming back on and I have not heard that sound since a few months after I bought the car.

Truthfully only time will tell as I only did this a couple of days ago, but I am noticing a difference already so I thought I would pass this info along now before I forget about it and move on. I coughed up $250 at firestone who luckily had a 12v prius battery on hand. I have my cell phone plugged into the lighter a lot and that probably does its damage over time. Two weeks ago I paid $100 for a diagnostic at the Toyota dealer and they seemingly just wanted to rip me off. The said it was a computer issue that would cost 3k, and by the way you need new tires at the cost of $680. "You could always buy a new one sir" . Total Garbage. I bought this car to go the distance and I maintain it well. If you are getting these symptoms, get the 12v battery replaced, it might be the actual solution before you get ripped off left and right. I would not cut any corners tho, make sure its the right battery. I tried to get a cheaper replacement at Walmart and that did not go so well, the mechanics bailed on the install after 3 hours of trying to install it. Get someone who knows what they are doing. Keeping my fingers crossed, hopefully the nightmare is over. I was about to sell it for parts on ebay.

 

Unfortunately the nightmare has returned

 

The brakes and dash went out today at the worst possible time and place. In snow capped mountains on the other side of la near Bakersfield....im confident the install was done well. Just wishful thinking. The toyo dealer was probably right. It was throwing code 1247....but i wont be throwing a lot more money at this. Im about done. Too bad you cant reinstall the operating system or whatever.

No. That occurred to me today however. It was a gamble i was willing to take

No. That occurred to me today however. It was a gamble i was willing to take

It all looks solid

But the paperclip method will clear the abs for like a day or 2. I would have really been screwed going down a steep decline with no brakes. It was pretty hairy for a second.

Theres nothing physically wrong with the brakes. Its just that the comp thinks there is. After u clear the abs lights the car operates exactly as it should.

 

Thanks bisco. I will try that. The toyo dealer said it was the computer gone wild. But they could not actually give me a clear answer of what is going on and I didnt get the feeling that they cared much due to the cars age.

 

tested the "new" 12v battery today, its at 11.6 volts. Went to firestone to get another one. Maybe its the battery after all. I will post the update