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My 2005 Prius won't go into READY mode

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Alex Mihov, Apr 3, 2015.

  1. Alex Mihov

    Alex Mihov New Member

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    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
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    II
    Hello all,
    My 2005 Prius won't go into READY mode. This has been happening for many times now almost a month. Up untill today if I let it sit there for a while (sometimes a couple of hours) it would work eventually, however, starting today it just does not want to go into READY mode. One thing that I have noticed is that when I press the break pedal the break lights do not turn on. I have read in one of the previous threads <Prius won&#039;t start...ready sign never turns on | PriusChat> about this problem. I believe it was Vincent who suggested that it could be the Stop Light Switch that causes it, and one way to check was to perform the following procedure:

    (1) Push the P position switch.
    (2) Parking brake pedal is depressed.
    (3) Turn the power switch from off to on (ACC).
    (4) Brake pedal is depressed.
    (5) Press and hold the power switch for 15 seconds or more.
    According to Vincent if this starts the car then it is the Stop Light Switch but I was not able to start my car even with this procedure (may be I am doing it wrong. If anybody has a better description of this procedures I could give it a try again).
    Should I go ahead and change the Stop Light Switch anyway to see if it solves the issue.
    Note: I have checked the 12V battery and it is not the problem.
    Thank you in advance.

    This evening when I tried it again it did go into READY mode. This is so frustrating I am starting not to like this car - very unreliable (at least mine is not).
    Another thing I have noticed is that when it would not go into Ready mode and I press the break pedal the break light will not go on even before pressing the Start button.
     
    #1 Alex Mihov, Apr 3, 2015
    Last edited by a moderator: Apr 4, 2015
  2. SageBrush

    SageBrush Senior Member

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    Gear selector
     
    #2 SageBrush, Apr 3, 2015
  3. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    It sounds like you need to replace the brake light switch now, or at minimum check its adjustment.
     
    #3 Patrick Wong, Apr 4, 2015
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    step on the brake really hard. if that's not the issue, tell us your 12 volt testing protocol.
     
    #4 bisco, Apr 4, 2015
  5. Alex Mihov

    Alex Mihov New Member

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    2005 Prius
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    II
    I went to Autozone today and bought the break light switch, however, it seams like they sold me the wrong one because it won't snap in the connector and I did not want to force it. Does anyone know if there is a difference between the one with Cruise Control and one without. The guy at the Autozone said there is not difference but I feel like there should be.
    After I put all the things back the car seem to be working, may be it was a bad connection and when I touched the connector it fixed it.
    I will post more when I know more.
     
    #5 Alex Mihov, Apr 4, 2015
  6. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    I would avoid the use of aftermarket parts, especially electrical parts. If a new switch is required, buy the correct Toyota part.

    It is certainly possible that some minor corrosion developed in the connector, which cleared up when you removed and replaced the connector. If you are lucky the problem has been solved.

    You could also buy spray electrical contact cleaner to clean the electrical contacts more thoroughly, or use 91% isopropyl alcohol as an alternative.
     
    #6 Patrick Wong, Apr 4, 2015
    Alex Mihov likes this.
  7. Alex Mihov

    Alex Mihov New Member

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    Thank you Patrick.
    When I was working on it I did not see any obvious corrosion. Do you think that corrosion could cause the intermittent behaviour?
     
    #7 Alex Mihov, Apr 4, 2015
  8. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    Yes
     
    #8 Patrick Wong, Apr 4, 2015
  9. darkrayne

    darkrayne New Member

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    my prius will not go into ready mode. the squares around the gear letters are blinking, the outside temp says E, the fuel pips are blinking. can someone please help me???
     
    #9 darkrayne, May 28, 2015
  10. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    If this is the same issue that you posted about in this thread:
    my prius has no power | PriusChat
    and you have exhausted the suggestions provided in that thread, then you really need to seek professional assistance for your car.
     
    #10 Patrick Wong, May 28, 2015
  11. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    ran out of gas?
     
    #11 JC91006, May 29, 2015
  12. darkrayne

    darkrayne New Member

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    not sure. it was showing two pips
     
    #12 darkrayne, May 29, 2015
  13. darkrayne

    darkrayne New Member

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    no, the car has power now. just wont go into ready mode
     
    #13 darkrayne, May 29, 2015
  14. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    try and put at least 5 gallons in the tank.....then wait 10 minutes and start
     
    #14 JC91006, May 29, 2015
  15. darkrayne

    darkrayne New Member

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    ok. i pray that works. i'm so frustrated
     
    #15 darkrayne, May 29, 2015
  16. Tommytoes

    Tommytoes Junior Member

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    I tried everything in this thread, even cleared the codes with OBII and computer, nothing. Finally changed the battery in the key fob and everything was corrected, and normal (READY MODE, yeah!). It showed brake light switch failure before the battery change. Now, no errors. The emergency procedure did not work.
     
    #16 Tommytoes, Sep 14, 2022
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