Anything I need to be aware of - defrost/rear defrost/circulate buttons not working

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Freedom, May 5, 2021.

  1. Freedom

    Freedom Active Member

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    Carmine will be going in to the local Toyota dealership. The 3 buttons on the steering wheel, lower right, which control front window defrost, rear window defrost, and recirculate air, do not work. I've got just over 91,000 miles on Carmine. Bought new in 2008.

    Is there anything I need to ask, or be aware of?

    Thank you.
     
    #1 Freedom, May 5, 2021
  2. davecook89t

    davecook89t Senior Member

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    If these functions can still be controlled on the center screen (Multi Function Device), it is almost certainly the clock spring (spiral cable, in Toyota's terminology) that has failed and will need to be replaced. It is a somewhat difficult and risky DIY job, requiring the steering wheel airbag to be deactivated, and is probably better left to the dealer to fix, but it will be expensive. There's no possibility that you can live without the buttons on the steering wheel and just use the MFD instead?
     
    #2 davecook89t, May 5, 2021
  3. Freedom

    Freedom Active Member

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    I can't find any other way to access the rear window defogger / defroster.

    The Front window defroster I can access from the MFD, requires hitting 3 buttons rather than 1, but yes, I could do it that way.

    I don't care about the recirculate button; I probably should, but don't, lol.

    I would not do this as a DIY. Thanks, that is what I was looking for for info. I'll look again re the rear window defogger. If I can access that any other way, I'll leave it be.
     
    #3 Freedom, May 5, 2021
  4. davecook89t

    davecook89t Senior Member

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    Described below:
     

    Attached Files:

    #4 davecook89t, May 5, 2021
  5. Freedom

    Freedom Active Member

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    I am very embarrassed.

    I only tried to find those buttons WHILE I WAS DRIVING, when I realized the steering wheel buttons weren't working. I just went out and started the car; and of course, there they are!

    Thank you.

    Cancelling the repair appointment.
     
    #5 Freedom, May 5, 2021
    davecook89t likes this.
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