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Another Clock Spring (Spiral Cable) Another Problem

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Technical Discussion' started by Sidewayzgt, Sep 23, 2018.

  1. Sidewayzgt

    Sidewayzgt Junior Member

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    I just had to replace my clock spring “again” because I lost the horn “again”. With the first clock spring replacement, I was living with just the traction light on all the time and would not turn off no matter what I did. Now, it is the traction light, abs light, parking brake light etc. I did use a more expensive aftermarket clock spring again but was not expecting this. Anyway, I really want to fix this for good but I want to make sure that the clock spring that is the problem. I am an electrician by trade. Is there any good threads on diagnosing your clock spring for a gen 3 (what it should have, what is missing, etc.). I know I need a factory OEM clock spring but what if it does not solve the problem? Thank you!
     
    #1 Sidewayzgt, Sep 23, 2018
  2. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    Have you checked the Repair Manual advice on how to check out your spiral cable and steering angle sensor and whatever trouble codes are behind the lights you're seeing? That's where I'd start.

    -Chap
     
    #2 ChapmanF, Sep 23, 2018
  3. Sidewayzgt

    Sidewayzgt Junior Member

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    Rather then starting a new thread I will make it easier since you are the Prius guru. I am getting codes c1231 c1345 c1451 and had u0126. Since resetting the codes with TIS all that is left are codes c1231 c1345 and c1451. I tried doing the brake bleeding procedure with the TIS utility and it tells me that I lost communication with the car (I tried multiple times)? Can you please steer me in the direction of what to check next? Is my abs module bad? Thank you!
     
    #3 Sidewayzgt, Sep 24, 2018
  4. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    I had that happen with a Mini VCI that I was using ... something like five times in a row. It was infuriating. Went all the way back to the start of the bleed procedure every time. At last around the sixth try it didn't flake out.

    I think the next time I have a reason to do the brake bleed procedure, I'll leave the MVCI in the house and use the OpenPort. (Disclaimer: I haven't had reason to try it yet, so I don't know for sure it wouldn't flake out the same way the MVCI did. But it is able to show me my engine data list, which the MVCI never could, so confidence is high.)

    -Chap
     
    #4 ChapmanF, Sep 25, 2018
  5. Sidewayzgt

    Sidewayzgt Junior Member

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    So are you saying that it is the mini VCI that I am using? I even tried to manually activate the bleed pump 1 and 2 through the program and they would not work either? Should I just restart the procedure until it works?
     
    #5 Sidewayzgt, Sep 25, 2018
  6. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    I know my Mini VCI is flaky. Some people report no problem with theirs.

    I spent some more money and got a dongle that I know is less flaky than my MVCI, because it can read engine data, which would always make my MVCI flake out and "lose communication with vehicle".

    But I don't know for sure whether it will be less flaky for the bleed procedure, because I haven't tried that again yet. I don't want to try it again until there's a good reason, because part of the bleed procedure is something like six consecutive full empties and refills of the accumulator. With my flaky MVCI, it would usually flake out around the middle of the fifth or sixth one. And then I'd have to start over. I think it took me six tries, which means I probably put something like thirty full empties and fills on the accumulator in one day. I don't really know how much normal usage that compares to (in most driving, it just empties a small amount and gets topped right back up), but we know the things eventually wear out.

    So, I'm hoping if I have to do it again, the Openport will succeed on the first try. We'll see.

    -Chap
     
    #6 ChapmanF, Sep 25, 2018
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