Multi-Function Display Horizontal Line Malfunction

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by cookprius, Jan 2, 2009.

  1. cookprius

    cookprius Junior Member

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    While driving a couple of days ago, my wife and I both noticed at about the same time that all of the sudden, a black horizontal line appeared across the Multi-Function Display (MFD) in our 2005 Prius.

    Any ideas if this will progressively get worse? Has anyone else experienced this or similar problems? There are plenty of other posts regarding screen blackout, air conditioning connection errors, slow command response time, etc. but so far, I haven't seen any about this problem.

    If my memory serves me correctly, we have about 41K miles on the car, which is slightly out of the 36K warranty...
     
    #1 cookprius, Jan 2, 2009
  2. firepa63

    firepa63 Former Prius Owner

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    Is the line still there, or did it disappear on its own?
     
    #2 firepa63, Jan 2, 2009
  3. cookprius

    cookprius Junior Member

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    Yes, the line is still there - hasn't gone away since first appearing. It's not causing any problem seeing the display, so to say, but my fear is that this is a sign of more serious failure...

    I'll try to get a picture posted this evening, if I get a chance.

    Thanks
     
    #3 cookprius, Jan 2, 2009
  4. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    I haven't heard about this particular complaint before. It sounds like the screen is starting to fail.

    Since the car has more than 3 yr/36K miles then the problem will not be covered under warranty. In that case you can probably live with the problem & see if it gets worse.
     
    #4 Patrick Wong, Jan 2, 2009
  5. cookprius

    cookprius Junior Member

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    Thanks to everyone who has shown interest in this problem - I appreciate your time.

    Correction: Until I looked at it again tonight, I thought the line was black but is actually white.

    Here's a pic of the display (attached).
     

    Attached Files:

    #5 cookprius, Jan 2, 2009
  6. jayman

    jayman Senior Member

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    With industrial and avionics LCD's, what you have described is usually a reliable indicator the panel will soon fail
     
    #6 jayman, Jan 2, 2009
  7. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    A white line means that the integrated circuit controlling the screen is causing all pixels (red, green and blue) in the row to conduct, thus resulting in a white line.

    It will be interesting to see how long the screen will continue to function before it totally fails; please let us know when that happens. Until it fails, as long as you can control the heating/AC and stereo, there's no rush to spend the $$$s for repair.

    When you do decide to have the MFD replaced, I suggest you ask for a refurb unit to be installed since that is priced in $$$ instead of buying a new unit priced in $$$$.
     
    #7 Patrick Wong, Jan 2, 2009
  8. jayman

    jayman Senior Member

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    Correct, Patrick. Usually a very reliable indicator of failure in the near future
     
    #8 jayman, Jan 3, 2009
  9. patsparks

    patsparks An Aussie perspective

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    Start looking for a new second hand unit in good working condition. Take your time looking and have the part on hand when the one in the car fails.
     
    #9 patsparks, Jan 4, 2009
  10. galaxee

    galaxee mostly benevolent

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    hm, that's new.

    definitely time to start looking for a replacement. do not accept dealer prices near $5k for a new one, they have a refurb program for ~$500 or see if you can find a scrap replacement.
     
    #10 galaxee, Jan 4, 2009
  11. CharlesJ

    CharlesJ Member

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    Maybe you can convince the dealer to replace it as good will. It should not be failing so soon, regardless of that 3yr/36k warranty. I had stuff replaced beyond the black and white prints:D
     
    #11 CharlesJ, Jan 5, 2009
  12. cookprius

    cookprius Junior Member

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    All, I know it's been almost 6 months since my original posting about the white horizontal line showing up across the MFD but within the past couple of weeks, at some point, it has gone away! Still scratching my head - not sure how it disappeared. But, I'll take what I can get...just glad it doesn't seem to be messing up any longer.
     
    #12 cookprius, May 30, 2009
  13. jayman

    jayman Senior Member

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    Bad solder joint, loose connection, oxidized connection, etc. Don't worry, it will act up again, just when you least expect it or want it to
     
    #13 jayman, May 31, 2009
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