Replacing MFD a simple Plug & Play if exact same model number?

If this question has already been asked and answered in one of the thousands of threads already related to MFDs, my apologies, but looking and reading through various threads has me wondering what can of worms I might be opening.

My 2004 Prius has the original MFD that came with the car, ID 86110-47081. No navigation or backup camera.

All of the functions work fine, but after being parking in an airport parking lot several years ago during a rare Houston cold spell, the screen developed a cloudy area that has never gone away and seems to have gotten worse. In bright daylight, some areas of the screen are unreadable.








Taking off the dash components to get to the unit and simply unplugging and re-plugging in the few connectors seems within my capabilities, as I took it apart enough to confirm which part number I have.

After reading so many threads about how many different ways the entire MFD can fail and the number of things it controls, I am concerned that any used replacement unit may come with problems I don't currently have.

Replacing just the LCD screen seems to be option for users more capable than myself, as I can't solder worth a cuss.

IF I can find a used entire unit with a decent warranty and replacement policy if it doesn't work as it should, is replacement as simple as plug and play? No complicated re-calibration procedure?

 

Thanks dolj for your reply.

After searching Car-Part.com for salvage yards around the country, and ebay for used units in decent condition, I had better luck with ebay and have a few I am considering. But, one of the ebay sellers wondered why I don't just replace the digitizer. Now I'm reconsidering my approach and have a few more questions.

My entire unit 86110-47081 is working, but the screen is as shown in first post above. Does replacing just the thin glass digitizer screen seem like all that I need to do? The touch screen responds to all touch commands, it is just the appearance and readability that are lacking.

I have found one YouTube video where the disassembly and replacement process is shown and described pretty well, and to my surprise, it is just a simple unplug, unstick/pry off, reattach and re-plug in procedure. No soldering should be required. Just small screws, small connectors and delicate wires.

For the cost difference, it seems like I should try this first, unless anyone thinks the digitizer alone is not my problem. I have not seen any other threads, posts, or pictures of a display that looks "fogged" or "clouded" like mine.

A new digitizer seems to be about $40 on Amazon.
A used MFD runs anywhere from $100 to $250, and the ones I'm considering I hope I could get for $200 or so.
Even a repair service I saw wants almost $200 just for the digitizer.

Any suggestions, comments, or recommendations on brand(s) of digitizer to buy (or avoid) are more than welcome.

 

Now I think I better understand. Sounds like MAX2 replaced the LCD which actually produces the images. The LCD may or may not come with a digitizer (the thin glass touch screen that I was thinking I could just replace.) Now it sounds more like my LCD is bad and a new digitizer alone will not fix it.

Just to give everyone the most information, I shot a video showing how the FUNCTIONS of my unit all respond to touchscreen inputs, but the images are poor.

Dropbox

You should not have to join Dropbox to view. Just ignore any prompts that may come up and close any pop up windows until you can click the Play button. I put the screen through just about all of the functions.

If consensus is that my LCD is bad, then I will investigate replacing just it, or may still just replace the entire unit if about the same cost, and a whole lot simpler.

 

Thank you, TMR-JWAP for confirming that the LCD is the real problem. I have put in an offer to purchase an entire MFD I have found on ebay for what seems to be a reasonable price. Your offer to test and send pictures of units you have in your shop is a generous one, but not needed at this time. In my searching of over a dozen different salvage yards and ebay, finding sellers who actually respond is the first hurdle, and then finding units where the screen is energized and tested is in my mind a real plus, and pretty rare. If you wanted to sell your units on ebay, I'm sure you would find a lot of eager buyers like myself looking for a simple fix, with as much assurance as possible as to the working condition of the unit, LCD, and digitizer.

 

Transplant complete! Two screws, 2 bolts, 5 pieces of dash and vent components, and unplug 3 electrical connectors. Bought used unit off of ebay from turbogp87 for about $200, including shipping and tax. He has a 100% feedback rating, provided excellent pictures of unit, including powered up (with disclaimer than A/C and radio control unknown since not in actual vehicle), and offered a 14 day return/refund policy. Very happy with outcome. All touchscreen commands, climate and radio/CD controls work. Thanks to all who helped me understand various repair and/or replace options.