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ABS VSC Brake warning lights on

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by lifestages, Aug 15, 2006.

  1. lifestages

    lifestages New Member

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    Recently the red Brake light and the three warning lights "ABS, VSC" and the exclamation mark started coming on. I took it to the dealer and the hooked it up to the computer and couldn't find anything wrong. The mechanic suggested I keep track of when it is happening and try to bring it in to the dealer when the lights are actually on. He said it was ok to drive it with those lights on although the manual clearly states to stop driving the car if those lights come on. Has anyone else had this problem and if so, how was it repaired. Car is an 04 Prius with 65,000 miles.
     
    #1 lifestages, Aug 15, 2006
    mohammed likes this.
  2. marjam

    marjam Member

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    If all those lights came on there should be a code in the computer to explain why. I would ask what codes showed up and if none did have them run the test again. Are the lights still on? The Prius can be overprotective of itself but I still think you need an answer. Sounds like a computer or a brake system problem. Anyone else have ideas?
     
    #2 marjam, Aug 15, 2006
  3. lifestages

    lifestages New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(lifestages @ Aug 15 2006, 09:13 AM) [snapback]303461[/snapback]</div>
    Yesterday i took the car in when the lights were on and the diagnostic showed a communication error and a short. I don't know what the specific codes were for this. Since the diagnostic was done the lights have not come on. Is it possible that by doing so the system was somehow cleared and it was the lights that were on in error rather than the braking system??
     
    #3 lifestages, Aug 16, 2006
  4. wiluspyder

    wiluspyder New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(lifestages @ Aug 16 2006, 03:02 PM) [snapback]304228[/snapback]</div>
    Hey
    I just solved my issue today and it was the same problem.
    The ABS/VSC/Brake lights were on.
    Turns out that the connector on the ABS pump was loose. Check that.
    Was the car previously in any front end collision? If so that might explain the loose connector :)
    Let us know

    JW
     
    #4 wiluspyder, Aug 23, 2006
  5. lifestages

    lifestages New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(lifestages @ Aug 16 2006, 03:02 PM) [snapback]304228[/snapback]</div>
    thanks for your reply. the car is going on day 7 in the shop. they have replaced a computer communication part that was $1800 without labor and the abs light still came on. tomorrow the car will get a new sensor for the rear passenger side wheel/brake and the hope that this will cure the problem. no idea how much the total cost will be though thankfully we have an extended warranty.
     
    #5 lifestages, Aug 27, 2006
  6. aspectratio

    aspectratio New Member

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    This exact thing just happened to me this morning (those warning lights came on and stayed on), and for me it was accompanied by a seeming loss of the "power" in my power braking (not sure how to describe it other than that).

    I cycled the power but the lights stayed on, at which point I took it directly to the dealer... and then OF COURSE the lights went off and stayed off. They had it all morning, could not tell anything wrong, and like another poster above, they saw no errors reported in the car's data monitoring.

    Hope it doesn't happen again but at least if it does I can print this thread out for them. Thanks.
     
    #6 aspectratio, Mar 14, 2007
  7. MikeMyDay

    MikeMyDay New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(wiluspyder @ Aug 23 2006, 12:12 AM) [snapback]308052[/snapback]</div>
    JW,

    I've had the same problem (with loss of power to the brakes) twice now, and yes I have had a front end accident (hit a deer). Dealer suggested switching the ignition off, which works if it is off for an extended period of time. Is the ABS pump easy to locate? I can't find a maintenance manual for the 2005 Prius.

    Thanks,

    Mike
     
    #7 MikeMyDay, Mar 20, 2007
  8. m6scott

    m6scott Junior Member

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    I have an 04 with about 45k on it.I recently started to get the warning indicator (the round one with exclaimation mark in it) .I took it to dealer and service tech said its a tire indicator? I did not think I had a tire indicator I never saw it before? I looked in the manual and it said it is a brake warning light. The Tech chkd the brakes and said nothing wrong with brakes.. The light only comes on once in a while. What is it mean?
     
    #8 m6scott, Mar 21, 2007
  9. IsrAmeriPrius

    IsrAmeriPrius Progressive Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(m6scott @ Mar 21 2007, 10:09 AM) [snapback]409657[/snapback]</div>
    The tire pressure monitoring system was not added until the 06 model year. May I suggest that you look for a new service department with competent technicians?
     
    #9 IsrAmeriPrius, Mar 21, 2007
  10. tochatihu

    tochatihu Senior Member

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    m6Scott, if yours is a 2004, you may need a new brake light switch. Special service campaign.
     
    #10 tochatihu, Mar 21, 2007
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