Brake Light Warning

If it's inconvenient to get to the dealer, pull out a trusty "Special Service Tool 09843-18040" (or a short piece of wire or a paper clip, which are what that "Special Service Tool" basically is), stick it between the Tc and CG pins on the diagnostic port under the dash, count the blinks on the BRAKE/ABS/VSC/((O)) lights, and post back here what you got.

I'm writing this quickly because there are lots of other posts you can search up going into the details of which pins those are, how to read the blink codes, etc.

-Chap

 

Took 2008 Prius in for evaluation with the four brake-related lights. VSC/BRAKE/ABS/((O)) lights. Was troubleshot and said I needed to replace some electronics, mechanic documented a

ABS Brake Control Module Assembly that lists at $1716 with roughly 4 hours scheduled to replace at $120-$135 per hour depending on where. Involves work behind high voltage hybrid area so, I'm told, some places won't work on. I can get the part at dealer that sells some parts for wholesale, at around $1200, but still a pretty expensive repair.

I was told I could drive the car as is but would be without Anti-Lock Brake and Variable Steering Control functionality. Been driving my Prius with the four warning lights on for a week or so and have noticed a new problem, the hydraulic brakes sometimes do not work when I start the car. I'm occasionally getting a high-pitched warning sound that accompanies the "power" brakes being out. Is this new symptom consistent with the ABS Brake Control Module Assembly being out?

With roughly 10 years on the Prius and 140K faithful miles, is it time to get what I can in a trade and buy a new vehicle? Or, is there another lower cost way to fix this problem. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

Just noticed some codes on the troubleshooting invoice. C1256 and C1391. Researching they are associated with: C1256 - Accumulator Low pressure and C1391 - Abnormal leak of ACC press

Also found a Toyota bulletin that might fix this problem under a Warranty Extension ZG1 going back to Gen 2 Prius. Might be able to get the brake actuator assembly replaced for free. Making a run at the local Toyota dealer.

 

I was going to tell you that, but I see you already found it.
Brake actuator "warranty extension" from Toyota | PriusChat

 

Wanted to pass on to everyone that I was successful at the Toyota Dealer getting the ABS Brake Actuator Assembly replaced for free under the ZG1 Warranty Extension. Saved $2500+ and giving my 2008 Prius new life. So glad it was covered. Now waiting for part as not available in Houston area.

 

Was it after the deadline of Dec. 31 2017? Mine went out on my 2004 on Jan. 3rd. They would not make an exception for 3 days. I even talked to Toyota central and they were very apologetic but said it was a court order that made them cover problem and it has now expired and they could not do anything further. I could not afford it as I had just fixed computers to lights and other problems for over $2000 at dealer. (One week ago) after replacing hybrid battery 6 mo. Ago. The brake actuator they said would be $2900.
I drove it away with not repairing brake actuator and it seems fine. Is it bad to drive like this? My husband is willing to try and fix it. He is quite handy but more in carpentry! Is it hard to do?

 

Regarding above post it now has 198,000 miles.

 

More like they would not do anything, since there's no longer anyone forcing them to. Not even 50/50? That's not good.

 

I can see where corporations have to draw a line and stick to it in order to not get sucked into all sorts of precedents that would become burdensome. But it still sucks to be so close, but still on the wrong side of that line.

You can buy used actuators, but a friend who works on Prius for a living agrees with me that it's rather risky to get one. But if your husband knows how to work on brakesI'm sure he can replace it if you subscribe to the repair manual for a few days. Several people here use that document quite a bit.

 

Responding to Joanne's question, I saw the extended service notice and got my Prius in around Christmas, a week before the end of the extension. Service guy remarked that I just made. Had to wait about 3 weeks for the part as there had been a run on this brake actuator part with the service extension. Just picked up my car on 1/18. Toyota covered $1715 for part and 3.3 hours of labor for $340. Was very grateful.

I drove my Prius for about a month with all of the warning lights on per an "OK" from the first service visit to get it evaluated. After about a month, I lost the power braking and was on the "old style" brakes with out power assist. Had to be very careful but could manage long enough to get it to the Toyota Dealer for evaluation and checking with Toyota for being fixed under warranty.

Excepting any other major failures, now planning to keep for a while with 145k current mileage.

I was able to find a Toyota dealer that sells mail order original parts. Could get the brake actuator assembly for about $1200. Still a lot of $, but less than the $1715 list. Was thinking about buying the part and seeing if I could find someone who works on Toyotas.

Best of luck....sorry about the lousy luck on the timing.

 

I have Toyota Prius 2008, always after I was driving it more than 100 km , the Brake, light has come up with a voice, and the brakes work but at a minimum level, then after 5 mints the Transmission system change itself from D to N, which means that I have to stop it for half hour or more, and then I move , but the same problem come back to me after 20 to 30 km.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

Hi Maria,

You might get more eyes on your question if you start a new thread with it; it may have very little to do with the issues in this old thread, other than a warning light in common. (There are only a few warning lights on the Prius dash, far fewer than the number of possible issues with the car, so it's usually unproductive to try to guess what is happening from only what lights are on.)

From your description, in fact, my first suspicion would be the system that cools the electronics in the inverter. When not adequately cooled, that will slowly overheat over some distance of driving, and then restrict power to protect itself, until you power off the car and let it cool.

The inverter is the big silver-colored box under the hood, beside the engine, and to one side of it (sandwiched between the inverter and the engine) is a narrow, plastic bottle of pink coolant.

Any time the car is ON (you can reach ON by starting with the car fully OFF, then pressing the power button twice without pressing the brake), an electric pump should be circulating that coolant, and you should be able to tell by looking at that narrow bottle (or opening the cap and looking down into it) that the coolant is flowing, not still.

It's not unheard-of for that pump to wear out, and lead to the kind of symptoms you are describing. The replacement pump is not very expensive.

 

Thanks so much for your feedback, I checked the inverted cooling pump
I looking at that narrow bottle (I open the cap for that bottle, and I looked down into it, but I can`t find any water flowing
that is mean the cooling pump is not working

 

if the car was ready, correct

 

"ready" meaning completely on, ready to drive.

 

I would do the check in "ON" (two power button pushes, no foot on the brake). In "READY", sometimes the engine runs, makes vibrations, harder to look and listen for flow of the coolant.

 

Guys I was having the same problem (!) on after 15 secs start of car. but I was able to do the jumper trick TC to GND, I tried pressing the brake 8 times but it didnt do anything. Altough I do have (!) 4 flashes constantly being shown, Others ABS were blinking fast. Please help

 

Have a 2012 Prius v - traction, brake and hybrid lights have come on.when driving car, felt a slight jolt and the lights came on.....drove it home and able to brake to a stop....no stall, no mushy brakes, hybrid ready light on, the abs light is not on... can I drive to a dealer or have it towed....

 

You might get better information about your Prius v problems posting in the Prius v forums instead of the Gen 2 forums.

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