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Computer problems after alignment

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by dubbfoolio, Mar 23, 2012.

  1. dubbfoolio

    dubbfoolio Junior Member

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    Computer problems after alignment (solution found)

    This turned into something of an essay so I'll underline the key points. I got a flat Wednesday night on my 2008 Prius... who knew this would turn into a nightmare?

    Took the car into my mechanic for a replacement of all 4 tires, they talked me into a wheel alignment. 2 hours later they send me out with 'brake', 'ABS', 'VSC', '(!)' lights all on. They were under the impression that the lights triggered and just needed to be reset, but the car was working fine. They said the indicators would go away after a couple days. My brakes were totally malfunctioning and I'm pretty pissed they'd let me leave with all the electronic functions of the brake system completely non-functional.

    What they suspect happened is that the 12 V auxiliary battery got run down during alignment, and the computer started malfunctioning. I took it back to them, to make it right. To their credit, after another long 2 hours that went past closing, they reprogrammed the computer using their 'Hunter' alignment instrument by manually entering the codes instead of bar-code scanning them as their absolute last thing to try, before giving up. All of a sudden the brakes seem to be working again...

    This morning I notice my 'one touch power window opening/closing' are not working. This is a feature I can live without, but it's off-putting. What else might not be working? What else might stop working while driving down the freeway? Do I need to go to the dealer and have the computer reprogrammed as a matter of safety? Or touch and go to see if this is the only problem? What's it going cost me to have them repair/reprogram the computer system? Mechanic at the dealer told me $150 just to diagnose *ouch*. I know if I call them they will tell me this is all very life threatening, the guy I talked to at the Toyota service department seemed extremely slimy. So I'm seeking your guys' unbiased advice. Thanks in advance.

    -Wyatt
     
    #1 dubbfoolio, Mar 23, 2012
  2. Britprius

    Britprius Senior Member

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    To reset the power window open half way then close keeping you finger holding the close position for 5 seconds this will reset the window. It sounds like they disconnected the 12v battery and this probably reset the brake ECU.
     
    #2 Britprius, Mar 23, 2012
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  3. stevemcelroy

    stevemcelroy Active Member

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    Sorry to hear of your troubles. When it comes to something like the brakes I'd err on the side of caution.

    If you got a bad feeling from the person that you spoke to at the dealer either call back and talk to the service manager and see if they are better or just call another dealer. I know that CA has a number of independent shops that do great work on the Prius so depending on geography that might be a better option - I'm sure that if you give it a few hours a member in your general area will make a suggestion of where to go.

    Best of luck.
     
    #3 stevemcelroy, Mar 23, 2012
  4. wick1ert

    wick1ert Senior Member

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    I'd check your 12V readings first. It is possible they ran that low and it hasn't had time to charge back up yet. That does have a reputation of giving codes and lights. If this is low, try letting the car run or putting it on a slow-charger to charge it back up over night.

    I am confused on one thing....what did they manually enter vs scanning the bar-code? There shouldn't be anything for them to scan or enter with what they did initially.
     
    #4 wick1ert, Mar 23, 2012
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  5. dubbfoolio

    dubbfoolio Junior Member

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    They did recharge the auxiliary battery, I forgot to mention this. The code they were trying to enter was to get the alignment computer to communicate with the Prius computer(s). I don't know what they did to get the brake ECU back online. Is it possible this was a coincidence? Thanks.
     
    #5 dubbfoolio, Mar 23, 2012
  6. Britprius

    Britprius Senior Member

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    If the 12volt battery goes low the Prius can throws all sorts of fault codes, keep a check on the voltage of the battery it may need to be replaced.
     
    #6 Britprius, Mar 23, 2012
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  7. dubbfoolio

    dubbfoolio Junior Member

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    This worked!!! Window working again! :rockon: Thank you!

    More importantly, all your responses are comforting: it sounds all these problems are common after the auxiliary battery runs down, and don't necessarily indicate a larger, irreversible malfunction of the computer. I'll keep an eye on the 12 V battery. I can dig this out of the trunk and take it to a local parts store to be tested/charged/replaced as necessary.

    Thanks everyone!
     
    #7 dubbfoolio, Mar 23, 2012
  8. Britprius

    Britprius Senior Member

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    If you take out the battery you will have to reset the window again also when you refit the battery you will need to turn on the Prius in the normal way and the fault lights will come on do not worry turn it off and turn it on again and all will be well after resetting the window.

    John.
     
    #8 Britprius, Mar 23, 2012
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  9. cnschult

    cnschult Active Member

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    I created another thread a week ago outlining how to get the awesome optima for our car for $151, but I'll outline it again for you as it appears you may need one soon:

    go to advanceautoparts.com
    copy or type ds42b24r into search bar and press enter
    the prius optima battery should pop up for $200.99, add one to cart
    click checkout
    at the bottom of your shopping cart will be a space to enter promo code, enter either "BIG50" for $50 off a $200 purchase or "VISA" for $50 off a $150 purchase.

    shipping will be free, you will be responsible for outrageously high Cali sales tax, I think you'll pay $164 which is not much more than the oem dealer one and should yield you better fuel economy and last you twice as long. Optimas are also much more vibration resistant but that doesn't benefit you on those smooth California roads.:cool:
     
    #9 cnschult, Mar 23, 2012
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  10. richard schumacher

    richard schumacher shortbus driver

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    #10 richard schumacher, Mar 24, 2012
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