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No dash lights - car won't turn off

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Technical Discussion' started by ITGuy1024, Jul 15, 2019.

  1. ITGuy1024

    ITGuy1024 Junior Member

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    Recently my 2006 (206k miles) has been acting weird. A few times now when I start the car the dash lights / speedometer won't come on. The push start button is solid orange when this happens. Sometimes just turning the car off and back on fixed it, but not every time.

    I was able to drive the car like this (MFD mpge also didn't work) just fine minus no display.

    I know when the 12v battery starts to get weak the Prii start to act weird. I looked at the battery info from the diagnostic menus and it was the following.

    Off - 12.6v
    Starting car - 12.3v
    Car running 14v

    Are these voltages ok?

    I have an appointment at the dealer for a new 12v battery but I did a little searching and read about a failing combination meter has similar symptoms.

    Thanks in advance.
     
    #1 ITGuy1024, Jul 15, 2019
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    yes, you need a new combo meter. 12v sounds fine, don't waste your money
     
    #2 bisco, Jul 15, 2019
  3. ITGuy1024

    ITGuy1024 Junior Member

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    Got ya. No other dash lights came on either (like Ready). The backup camera also doesn't work when this happens.

    Any clue what the cost is roughly to get the combination meter replaced?
     
    #3 ITGuy1024, Jul 15, 2019
  4. TMR-JWAP

    TMR-JWAP Senior Member

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    Do it yourself for less than $200 or about $900? at dealer.
     
    #4 TMR-JWAP, Jul 15, 2019
  5. ITGuy1024

    ITGuy1024 Junior Member

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    Ooof, not even sure the car is worth $1000 haha

    I'll see if I can get an official price tomorrow.

    Pretty easy diy job?
     
    #5 ITGuy1024, Jul 15, 2019
  6. TMR-JWAP

    TMR-JWAP Senior Member

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    Several on the forum have done it. I think its Texas Hybrid Batteries (name of member here and the name of his business/website) that offers combo meter repair/swapouts, etc.

    Texas Prius Battery Replacement
     
    #6 TMR-JWAP, Jul 15, 2019
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  7. oldtechaa

    oldtechaa Active Member

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    Last I knew, the dash just takes a while to rip apart. It's not hard per se. I believe Texas Hybrid Batteries is $225 for a new meter pre-programmed to mileage, minus $75 when you send yours back with included shipping label.
     
    #7 oldtechaa, Jul 15, 2019
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  8. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

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    It starts out driving fine then turns into wont shut off no matter what then you have to pull the main 12 volt battery lead off to kill the car.

    This video is what I and many others on here used to r & r the combo meter.



    I recommend buying combo meter from Matt at Texas Hybrids.
     
    #8 edthefox5, Jul 16, 2019
  9. ITGuy1024

    ITGuy1024 Junior Member

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    Thanks. I came across that video too. Looks pretty straight forward.

    In the video this guy didn't disconnect the 12v battery. Is it necessary to keep it hooked up doing this or just disconnect it?
     
    #9 ITGuy1024, Jul 16, 2019
  10. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

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    I would disconnect the 12 volt battery. You are disconnecting the passenger dash airbag that is right in your face so.....

    It's easy:

    Just go into the hatch pry off the red battery cover then there are 2 black cables plugged into the battery positive post black plastic fuse assy. Please see pic:

    One is a thick black wire the other a thin black wire. They terminate in white plug in clips. Just push the white clip locking tab in on the plug and pull out. The thick black wire is the main power line to the car it goes to the front fuse box under the hood and is bolted to the jump point. That is the main B+ power line to the car the thin wire is the sensing wire to the inverter. With those 2 wires unplugged the 12 volt battery is completely disconnected from the car.

    The extra red wire bolted to that positive side is power for my external power supply for my lights for towing. Your car will not have that.

    And all the red stuff is grease. To stop corrosion. Redline wheel bearing grease 100% synthetic.

    Don't be surprised if you break a few plastic clips on all the plastic dash crap. Its an old car and everything is brittle especially if the car has not been garaged all its life.

    Good Luck.
     

    Attached Files:

    #10 edthefox5, Jul 16, 2019
    Last edited: Jul 16, 2019
    ITGuy1024 likes this.
  11. ITGuy1024

    ITGuy1024 Junior Member

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    Sounds good. Thanks for the info.
     
    #11 ITGuy1024, Jul 16, 2019
  12. Skibob

    Skibob Senior Member

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    Wouldn’t it be easier to just unbolt the 1 bolt from the negative cable to the body of the car?
     
    #12 Skibob, Jul 16, 2019
  13. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

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    I think its much easier to unclick a connector and so did Toyota which is why they put those removable plugs there. And no sparks.

    The no sparks are really the best reason. Try it sometime its very easy and fast and no tools but each to his own I guess.
     
    #13 edthefox5, Jul 16, 2019
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  14. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

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    I did this yesterday now it takes me 45 min
     
    #14 Tombukt2, Dec 9, 2020
  15. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

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    most of yer vents will break now matter hoe careful unless cars been always garaged the sun eats em up bad their Abs
     
    #15 Tombukt2, Dec 9, 2020
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