Beyond economic repair. CAN YOU HELP?

Depends if it is gen 1 (97-01) or gen 2 (01-03). There is a gen 1 on eBay at the moment breaking for spares.

 

Can we clear up the whole gen 1, gen thing.
My garage says that my car is gen 1, but another expert says that gen 1s are only Japanese imports. He says that imports' codes cannot be read by UK computers. Hence my car being a gen 2. But my garage is adamant that it's a gen 1.
My expert insists their wrong and it's a common mistake to make.

What to do?

 

Sofia and smithra,

My first question is whether your cars are NHW10 or NHW11? You can identify the model number if you look at the VIN plate. Another way to differentiate the vehicles is that NHW11 has a little spoiler mounted on the trunk while NHW10 does not. A final way is that the NHW10 dash has all Japanese language markings since it was intended for the Japan domestic market.

If your car is NHW10, then it is a JDM vehicle that was subsequently imported to your country. Should that be the case, I suggest you find the Yahoo NHW10 Prius forum and post your questions there. NHW10 is quite different from NHW11 and you'll benefit from focused experience provided by UK NHW10 owners like yourself.

Further if your car is NHW10, then I do not believe that the diagnostic codes can be read due to an unusual protocol being used. Since that vehicle was intended for JDM only I do not believe that English-language repair documentation is available.

 

DTC C1521 is an electric power steering malfunction. It is necessary to replace the electric steering gear. I think it would be difficult for a non-Prius specialist garage to effectively repair this since specialty diagnostic equipment is required to calibrate the system. Hence I suggest that you enlist either a Toyota dealer or a Toyota independent garage that can claim a Prius specialist onsite (if such exists in your area) to make the repair.

If you want more info about the problem, or if you have a Toyota independent garage willing to learn about repairing Prius (at your expense) then you can download repair manual info here.
Toyota Service Information

 

I think you have some digits transposed there. C1521 is an Electric Power Steering fault code. C1251 is Malfunction in Hydraulic Brake Booster Pump Motor.

Unfortunately I only have access to 2004 and 2006 model manuals (which someone helpfully uploaded onto the Internet) and the newer car doesn't log this code. The dealer should have access to techdoc.toyota-europe.com - you can get a one-day subscription for €16.

The most expensive fixes are likely to be replacing the brake actuator assembly or the brake control ECU. The actuator looks like a real pain on a 2004-2009 Prius as the inverter is in the way, so you have to remove it first.

 

Well, my recommendation that you seek a Toyota dealer or independent Prius specialist remains unchanged.

DTC C1251 is a malfunction in the pump motor for the brake system. The Prius brake system is much different from a conventional vehicle, so you would not want to entrust its repair to someone not familiar with its operation.

You previously raised the issue of using a salvage part instead of new. When it comes to the brake or steering systems which are safety-related, I think it would be unwise to use salvage parts of dubious condition.

 

the parts number (for north american prius) that you need is 4707147010 (Hydraulic Brake Bosster Assembly), and I get a quote from website (website name is 1sttoyotaparts) is around $750 usd, which is around GBP$560. If you just need the pump, the parts number is 4790647010 it's USD$513.31 or GBP$362. Maybe try to ask your dealer can you bring your own parts for them and let them install for you?

 

Hi smithra,
I get my Genuine Toyota Parts from the UK because even with shipping from UK to Ireland it works out a hell of a lot cheaper than buying from Toyota here,send this guy a mail [email protected] and give him the part number and see what price he gives and how much the garage will charge to fit it.