Dashboard lights OFF narrow down problem

it is a bad solder joint on the pc board. you can resolder if you know your electronics, or swap it out for a rebuilt.

 

It is actually up to 3 bad capacitors on the combination meter board. They need replacing. Still requires being handy with a soldering iron.

 

Search the PC forums for "combination meter", here is a good one: T-SB-0172-09 Combination Meter - Intermittent Display
IIRC, there was an extended warranty on this and it may be for 10 years from date of first use, so Toyota may replace it.
EDIT: Looks like 9 years, see: Prius Speedometer Replacement from PC member @Texas Hybrid Batteries You can use this site to see the first date of use for your Prius: Toyota Vehicle Information Lookup

 

Yes, there are a couple of posts here about driving while the combo meter is completely out of the car being repaired (usually by @Texas Hybrid Batteries ) Good luck! (But do check the extended warranty In my edited post above!)

 

If you go thru the trouble of taking the dash apart and are going to fix it yourself I would highly suggest you replace all the caps. What would the other 3 caps cost, 3 dollars? Better safe than taking the dash apart again...for 3 dollars.

 

But it's not the cost of the parts, it's the difficulty of soldering the surface-mount caps! (And the possibility of damaging the board.)

 

I hope I don't jinx myself by telling everyone this but I may have found the answer to this recurring dash problem. I recently bought a 2008 Prius and have dealt with this issue using a few different tricks I found on the internet. All fixes were always only temporary and the problem was starting to happen twice a day. About a week ago I had the idea to cut some steps out of one of the fixes and I haven't had an issue with the dash since then. Here is what I do: 1. I get in the car and leave the door open. 2. I put my seat belt on. 3. With the door still open I put the key in the ignition. The car automatically starts beeping because of the key being in while the door is open. 4. While it is beeping I put my foot on the brake for a couple of seconds and hit the start button. BINGO! Again, this has worked flawlessly for a solid week and hope it continues working...hope this might help others with this annoying issue as well!

 

i have also found an alternate 'fix'.

i get in the car from the passenger side, so i don't have to open the drivers door.

then i turn the headlights on and off 3 times, before inserting the fob into the dash.

then i move the seat all the way forward, all the way back, and into the correct position.

then i lower all the windows, raise them half way, lower them again, and then fully up.

then i start the car as usual and everything works perfectly!

 

The real answer is to fix what is broke. As I posted in post #3 in this very thread.

If DIY repair is beyond you, you can contact @Texas Hybrid Batteries for their exchange repaired board, that can be programmed with your exact mileage and a lifetime warranty. All for $150.