Combination Meter Out After 12v Battery Replacement

good question. perhaps resetting it makes it work until something overheats?

 

Gen 2 CMs have been known to fail. Somewhere around here, iirc, there's a thread that mentions a place you can get a used one and the vendor is able to program it with your odometer reading. Here's a link to a video showing how to replace the meter. I used it when I needed to clean ours.

A google search came up with the following on eBay. No idea how reputable or reliable, but the price ain't bad compared to a new one. REPAIR 4 Toyota Prius 2004-2009 Instrument Cluster Display Combination Meter | eBay

 

It is strange. I think I'd check for loose connections and stuff before spending on a replacement.

 

Reading the OP, it sound like what you call the combination meter is actually the multi-function display (MFD).

Sorry, I can only help with nomenclature, not the solution to your problem. If it's bad MFD, I agree checking connections is a good idea. Get the part number while you're doing that, and use it to see if you can find a salvage unit for a decent price. New prices are pretty astronomical for those.

 

You're right. I missed the backup camera reference. At least, if it comes down to needing a replacement, there are no odometer concerns. I haven't looked at prices on MFDs, but they are easier to replace than the CM.

But, hopefully, it's just a loose connection.

 

This is an extremely common issue with older Prii. It IS the combination meter. The solders on the back of the board get weak over time and break connection causing the meter to black out, Connecting/disconnecting the 12v battery will make it work or not work again for a while. It eventually will get more frequent and will need to be repaired or replaced. This is the vendor that I used for repair:

for 2004-2005
2004 2005 Toyota Prius Combination Meter Instrument Cluster Display EXCHANGE | eBay

for 2006-2009
REMAN 06 - 09 Toyota Prius Combination Meter Instrument Cluster Display EXCHANGE | eBay

This is not the MFD. The reverse camera is not working because the combination meter is unable to communicate to the MFD that the car is in reverse. It is also difficult to turn the car off because the computer cant tell if the car is going 0 MPH in park or 100MPH in drive. To power the car off it works best to insert the fob into the slot and hold the power button down 3-5 seconds until the car turns off and then pull out the key to turn off the MFD. It may also not unlock the tailgate which will require crawling through the rear seats to pull the emergency release.

FYI Toyota has an enhanced warranty for this repair if your car is within 9 years from in service date with unlimited miles.

Also FYI. Mileage cannot be reprogrammed by this vendor. If you wan't to keep your mileage actual you will have to send your existing unit out for repair and park the car until the part is returned. You can order one with similar mileage and pay a core charge that is refundable when you return your original combo meter. If you have a Toyota dealer order a brand new one they will order it with your current mileage and your car must remain parked until the new part arrives.

 

I think you could drive it in a pinch, but I wouldn't. As @TampaPrius.com said, it would be quite awkward. Todd has a ton of experience with Prius, especially gen 2. That would be something I'd want to fix asap. I recommend to park it, remove the meter, and get it fixed right away. Or you might be able to get an exchange with close enough miles and get it done quicker. But then you start to get into odometer regulations when you sell it, if you do get the chance to sell it before a texter totals it for you.

 

Thanks to Tampa Prius for the clarification and correction. When my CM went out, I removed the CM myself and express mailed it to a repair shop, who sent it back the same way. Down time was about five days. Tear down took about 3 hours the first time. (I did one for a neighbor later and it only took about 45 minutes.)

 

If you want another option, Hybrid Texas Batteries (member here) also provides an exchange repair service for faulty CMs. He will also ensure the new CM is programmed with your correct milage.

 

I thought there was someone here, but couldn't remember for sure.

 

Did anybody determine if there is a connection between 12V battery replacement and the intermittent combination meter issue? I have the same problem now with my 2007 (226k miles): replaced the 12V with a Bosch (yes, the correct Bosch) and it was fine for three trips. But on the fourth trip and onward, the combination meter is intermittently dark upon start up.

 

Geez. Its the combo meter; remember, the problem is intermittent. 12V battery is not the culprit.

Order a repaired board from Matt, Texas Prius Battery Replacement
then pay someone to install it for you.

Problem will be solved. DONE.

 

The capacitors are bad on the display board see the other post

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You and I know that.

But do you think dbailey has the tools and ability to perform fine/precision soldering?

 

Sure if he own a Weller tweezer soldering iron for sm

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Thanks guys - the other great posts on this forum led me to the capacitor issue, so I recognize that as the root cause.

I was just wondering if anyone knows the correlation between the 12V battery and either temporarily relieving the capacitor issue (disconnecting and reconnecting sometimes kicks the meter back into functioning again) or exacerbating the capacitor issue (several people, including myself and the OP, never had the combination meter capacitors fail at all until the 12V battery was replaced). Just curious.

FWIW I'm getting a refurbished unit from Matt at Texas Hybrid Batteries and installing it myself.

 

1. It was a coincidence that you replaced the 12V battery and shortly thereafter, the combination meter started to fail.
2. The correlation between disconnecting/reconnecting the 12V power and the combination meter working again is that when the power is removed and restored, that might cause the integrated circuit that converts 12V to 5V for the digital circuitry on that board, to start working again. However, since the capacitors in that circuit are marginal, the IC might not start and in that case, the board display will remain dark.
3. I also replaced the CM on my 2007 this past week with a refurb unit from Matt, and I was very pleased with the workmanship on the refurb unit. The soldering on the surface mount capacitors is indistinguishable from the original board, and the through hole solder connections on the display and the right side of the board (where the through hole capacitors are mounted) are all perfect (vs. the original board which had substantial cold solder joints on those connections.)