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Odometer, speedometer, and gas gauge not working for 18+ months

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by hoodenc, Nov 29, 2017.

  1. hoodenc

    hoodenc Junior Member

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    Hey all,

    I've gone through the archives and I have not come across my specific question: if my digital odometer is not accurate, does the gen 2 Prius keep track of the odometer another way? Here's what's going on:

    I have a 2004 Gen 2 Prius. About a year and a half or two years ago, the speedometer screen started going blank intermittently--that is, I can't see how fast I'm going, my odometer, what gear I'm in, or how much gas I have. At first it was only once in a while. Fast forward 18 or so months later, it is about 95% of the time. In any given month, seemingly at random, the screen will light up and I will jot down the odometer readings.

    I drive roughly 12,000 miles a year. In the last 2 years the odometer has barely moved a thousand miles; the last time it lit up a few days ago, it was at 177,758. A few weeks before that, it lit up at 177,745.

    So my question there another "internal" odometer, or any other way to check the actual, accurate mileage the car has driven?

    I guess another question would be if anyone knows of a quick and easy fix to the problem.

    Thanks!
     
    #1 hoodenc, Nov 29, 2017
  2. ggarb

    ggarb Member

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    That's a known problem.
    The hardware assembly called the "Combo Meter" includes the speedometer, odometer and other lights right in front of the driver. It can fail.

    Sometimes when it fails you have to use a workaround to even turn the car off.

    There is no quick fix - the Combo Meter has to be replaced. It has to be done by a certified shop so the odometer reading can be legally transferred.

    When this problem first happened years ago it was thought these boards could be repaired, but that turned out not to be the case.

    Search PriusChat for Bad Combo Meter for other threads.

    Here is just one: Can't turn prius OFF | PriusChat



    iPhone ?
     
    #2 ggarb, Nov 29, 2017
  3. Jmack111

    Jmack111 Member

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    I found most of the time there are 4 Capacitors that leak and change values

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    #3 Jmack111, Nov 29, 2017
  4. hoodenc

    hoodenc Junior Member

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    thanks! i read up on the Combo Meter. So is the true reading of the odometer, the actual mileage on the car lost forever? Does the Prius' internal computer or whatever keep another log of the odometer that can be legally transferred? Because right now I've probably driven 200K+, but I'm stuck at around 177,000.

    Thanks again.

     
    #4 hoodenc, Nov 29, 2017
  5. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    it is lost. if there is an internal odometer, it is only accessible thru the 'black box' by toyota.
     
    #5 bisco, Nov 29, 2017
  6. Jmack111

    Jmack111 Member

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    It possible the light Were just out And the computer was running fine in the background but you could not see it restoring the light may restore the data to be seen

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    #6 Jmack111, Nov 29, 2017
  7. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    that's likely it.
     
    #7 bisco, Nov 29, 2017
  8. exstudent

    exstudent Senior Member

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    Too subjective.

    Correct fix = replacement with NEW OEM combo meter (pricey) or replacement with a properly repaired one.
    Contact Matt @ Texas Hybrid Batteries. He offers both. I think the original 2004 combo meters had a 299,999mile limit. A properly repaired replacement should fix this.
    Texas Prius Battery Replacement
     
    #8 exstudent, Nov 29, 2017
  9. dolj

    dolj Senior Member

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    For the 2004-2005 Gen 2, it is not a question of proper repair or otherwise.

    What is required is the retrofit of a 2006-2009 combination meter along with replacing the light cluster with a donor 2006-2009. The light cluster requires a small modification to remove the TPMS LED, as the 2004-2005 did not have TPMS, and without removing the LED, the TPMS warning light will be lit permanently.

    Again, Texas Hybrid Batteries can assist if this retrofit is desired. Talk over the odometer reading with Matt, too, in regards to how he handles that.
     
    #9 dolj, Nov 30, 2017
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