advice sought about 2002 86K with flashing fuel indicator, combometer ECU replacement?

Discussion in 'Generation 1 Prius Discussion' started by RHMelen, Apr 16, 2013.

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  1. usnavystgc

    usnavystgc Die Hard DIYer and Ebike enthusiast.

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    Good stuff Chap. Excellent troubleshooting hints.
     
    #21 usnavystgc, Apr 24, 2013
  2. RHMelen

    RHMelen Junior Member

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    Chap, this is amazing remote diagnostic work you've done. I'm always impressed by how technical the folks are here and how much time and thinking they're willing to put in to help fellow Prius drivers. I'm talking to the dealer this morning and will see what they think. Last I checked, they didn't have a way to replace just the inclinometers and would need to deal with the whole combination meter from the supplier, thus the odometer wait period. But I will ask them. I'll report how it goes.

    Again, many many thanks to everyone.

    -- Randy
     
    #22 RHMelen, Apr 29, 2013
  3. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    The tests I suggested you could do with or without the dealer's permission. ;) The bezel around the combination meter just pops/lifts off, no real trick to it. If you find the problem seems to be on the circuit board itself (doesn't move with the inclinometers) then you'll know there's probably little choice but to replace the meter. If you find it goes with one of the sensors, then maybe it's worth trying to find out if there's any way you could get your hands on the sensors. Maybe a salvage yard would sell them to you off of a combo meter in a wrecked vehicle.

    -Chap
     
    #23 ChapmanF, Apr 30, 2013
  4. RHMelen

    RHMelen Junior Member

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    Spent time at the dealer this morning. They were also disappointed that replacing the 12V battery did not cure the problem. I talked to them about seeing if swapping the inclinometers would change the symptoms as Chap suggested. But as I watched them try the suggested test, the problem didn't move and they concluded, as you mentioned in your note, that the problem is with the circuit board. So we'll get a new combination meter with the odometer set to the current mileage. No estimate yet from the subcontractor as to how long the wait will be. And they were also pretty impressed about how detailed and logical Chap's diagnostic steps were. I heard a comment from the technician that he wished Toyota would talk to people like Chap when they're doing design work to ease maintenance.

    Thanks very much for the help and good suggestions.

    -- Randy
     
    #24 RHMelen, Apr 30, 2013
    usnavystgc and bwilson4web like this.
  5. usnavystgc

    usnavystgc Die Hard DIYer and Ebike enthusiast.

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    Your the man Chap.!!!!
     
    #25 usnavystgc, Apr 30, 2013
  6. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    )blush(

    Out of curiosity, did you happen to see what readings they were getting when they played with the sensors?

    I think I remember trying that back when I got my car and was curious about everything... I haven't looked it up again, but as I remember it there was a mode where the odometer digits used in two groups of three read out the two sensor values, is that what they did? And did one or both seem to be stuck at a high or low reading, or what was the symptom exactly? Maybe that would be useful information to the next person with a related problem.

    -Chap
     
    #26 ChapmanF, Apr 30, 2013
  7. RHMelen

    RHMelen Junior Member

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    I apologize for being slow getting back to this.

    Chap, sorry I did not see those details so I cannot report on the state of the odometer digits.

    I did turn the car over to the dealer to replace the combination meter, expecting a wait of a couple of weeks from other posts I have seen. Luckily the combination meter for my year was in stock at the subcontractor. So the dealer turned the whole thing around in 2 days and all is working correctly now.

    I hope anyone following this thread in the future pays close attention to Chap's excellent diagnostic suggestions.

    -- Randy
     
    #27 RHMelen, May 13, 2013
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