abs alert

it may have stored a code, but you would have to take it to the dealer. how many miles on her?

 

THAT is a bunch of BS.
There are several things that they could and should check.......IF they had a real mechanic on staff instead of just a bunch of code reading monkeys.

The noise would tend to indicate that one of the brake calipers was stuck, maybe temporarily.
I think you should take this opportunity to have a COMPLETE brake inspection. That might show things that need to be done.....like pads, calipers, fluid change and maybe rotors (but not likely rotors).

IF that has not been done in the past 5 years or so, it might set you back more than $500.
How important are your brakes to you ??

 

is it cold there?

 

Would you describe this "squeaking sound" as something like parts rubbing together, or more like a consistent, high-pitched beeping?

If you search here, you can learn how to get the brake computer to blink out its diagnostic codes using the dash lights, using just a short piece of wire. You don't need any special code reader for that (though you can get more in-depth information if you have one). That means you can be ready to find out what that computer is trying to tell you, immediately, the next time it tries. Someone here may recognize the codes if you post them (though you can always look them up yourself in the Repair Manual, too.)

-Chap

 

maybe a frozen caliper that thawed out. might be a good idea to look things over in a warm shoppe.

 

When the car stopped as you said, was the noise coming from the hood area, since you've confirmed that noise wasn't metallic kind of?

And for the malfunction lights not coming back again, it could be some kind if intermittent ECU freaking up, or, while the lights hasn't returned, might be because you've got to complete some certain drive cycles before the fault codes that logged the code would resurface.

Another possibility could be that the noise was coming from the abs pump.

I have had an experience with a hihy with a constant, maybe barking noise you might say with all the lights on board the dash

 

I asked because the ABS alarm is a continuous high-pitched beep. It sounds like that's what you were describing, and you may have misdirected Sam a little just by calling it a squeak.

The computer doesn't use the alarm sound for all of the trouble issues it can detect, but only for a handful of the more serious ones (in the repair manual, there should be a chart of the different trouble codes, including which ones sound the alarm and which ones don't). Even if you don't get the display again, we know it was one of that handful of codes.

One of them would be taking too long to pump up the proper brake pressure, or the electric pump drawing too much current. It has been very cold lately, which can legitimately make a lot of electric-motorized devices slow down and draw too much current, so if you don't see recurrences, you might chalk it up to that, and have no issues later when the weather is warmer.

If the lights come on again, especially with the alarm sound, I would read the codes right away.

-Chap

 

I suspect the noise is from the abs pump positioned at the driver side behind the inverter.

That inverter might be telling you, "Sir, start preparing for my bill"!

 

Yes, that's where the alarm is located.

You get the code(s) by using a small jumper wire between two pins (Tc and CG) of the diagnostic connector under the dash, then counting blinks of the brake / ABS / VSC lights on the dash. Without the jumper, the lights simply light up, to tell you there are codes.

Details are in other threads on PriusChat, and in the Repair Manual, of course.

A code reading tool, such as they have at the dealer, can retrieve more detailed codes, and a lot of other information describing what was going on at the time.

techinfo.toyota.com exists to solve that problem.

-Chap

 

Same for me - diagnosed with ABS problems. Occasionally get high pitched scream when starting the car with ABS/VCS lights. Scream goes away after 10 seconds or so and warning ligthts go off. Car is fine after (although there are other ABS related issues).

Very distinct sound though - really sound like a barking or chicken squawks.


+++ Rick ---