Couple weeks ago I had a random brake warning that went away and left no stored codes. Today I went to the grocery and everything was fine, when I left the grocery the main instrument cluster was dead and no data to the MFD - there was a display, but it had no info under "Trip Information". The car ran okay, but I think I didn't have regen braking. When I got home it wouldn't shut off! Somehow I had the idea to hold the power button for 5 seconds, which did shut it down. "Have you tried rebooting it?" Sure, why not. And then everything was back, and it shut down properly. Tested the 12V immediately thereafter and it was 12.7 volts which seems on the low side, but if the car got me home in some sort of limp mode maybe it wasn't charging the 12v? The 12v battery is 2 years and 3 months old. Vegas is tough on batteries, but that seems a little short. I'm desperately trying to sell this car as I've been laid off since March and can no longer afford a car, but I can't sell it like this! HELP!
That's a classic "dark dash" problem where a capacitor needs to be replaced in the combination meter. The part is $0.30, so really cheap, but you have to take the dash apart and have moderate soldering skills. If you're not comfortable doing the work Toyota would want to replace the CM it and it would be an expensive repair. There are lots of youtube videos showing how to do it and there are quite a few discussion here on Priuschat. Do do a search at both places then decide if you are capable of doing it. It's not that hard, but you'll need a bit of patience. Good luck
Please remember that regardless of who does this job, some of the smaller plastic trim pieces that require removal could easily break. If someone needs a rebuilt combination meter with a lifetime warranty for a DIY install : Prius Speedometer Replacement If not going DIY, see if a local craigslist mobile jockey offers combination meter repair and installation. Here is a CL posting for 80, if this includes the install and the correct ODO, it would be a great deal : Prius 2004-2009 Odometer - auto parts - by owner - vehicle...
Ah, thanks. Turns out a rebuilt combo meter is less than the cost of a new battery, so I will call that good news!
