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ABS ECU Malfunction-Dealer wants 3300.00 to replace??

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by pkwhisker, Jun 13, 2015.

  1. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    I think if you wrote them an email explaining the windshield tint strip being the cause of water getting into your ECU in the dash, he would understand how that can happen.

    His denial was because the battery ran low and all this happened. I would probably deny that too. The other scenario would make more sense.
     
  2. pkwhisker

    pkwhisker Member

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    Okay JC let's see what he says ...
     
  3. Avi's Advanced Automotive

    Avi's Advanced Automotive Independent hybrid repair shop

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    89540-47100 might be better than 89540-47080
     
  4. Avi's Advanced Automotive

    Avi's Advanced Automotive Independent hybrid repair shop

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    So far, no one has seen any water damage anywhere. Those connectors can be kicked by your foot. Maybe the problem should be found before the finger pointing continues.
     
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  5. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    True
     
  6. pkwhisker

    pkwhisker Member

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    why?



    Also should I call the dealer that originally told me it was the ECU? He should have the part number still.. remember he said it was an expensive $2300 part!
     
  7. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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  8. pkwhisker

    pkwhisker Member

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    oops that was AVI saying that! Connectors could be kicked by my foot?
     
  9. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    Avi said that......just so you don't jump to blaming water
     
  10. Avi's Advanced Automotive

    Avi's Advanced Automotive Independent hybrid repair shop

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    The part number changed as time went by. 47130 is the latest, before that it was 47100, and originally it was 47080. The later ones have been updated somehow. The service writer might not keep track of part numbers. Think of them as a salesman specializing in selling you repairs and service. All they need to know is how to sell. They get the okay from you and tell the repair team too go ahead. The technician who does the repair tells the parts department to order the part.
     
  11. pkwhisker

    pkwhisker Member

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    OIC thanks for explaining about the parts, and the S.M. etc. So my next question to you Avi, is this. If you were going to try to find this part for your Prius that was a 2004 part, which one would you shop for? Or all three? Does it really matter? (they may not even put in a OEM part).

    Still don't get the 'I could've kicked connectors with my foot' statement, please tell me they are not that easy to kick out!
     
  12. SageBrush

    SageBrush Senior Member

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    A Google Search of 'Prius 2004 skid control ECU' brought out part #'s 89540-47060 and 89540-47080.

    Wrong parts, or interchangeable ?

    One offer on Fleabay said "ECU with buzzer!" It reminded me of one of the intermittent noises OP mentioned.
    Prices seem to run between $50 and $75.

    Is it a difficult install ?
     
  13. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    I don't either. I suggest you go and visit your car when the skid control ECU has been exposed so that you can see its location and it will be clear that its connections will not be accidentally disturbed by your foot or any other body part.

    I agree that at this point water damage is only a theory, not an established fact, so you are just trying to see whether cleaning the ECU wiring harness connections helps. It is not going to hurt.
     
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  14. pkwhisker

    pkwhisker Member

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    That is a good idea. I absolutely should do this!
     
  15. pkwhisker

    pkwhisker Member

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    That is interesting sagebrush what you said about the buzzer and the prices! I did have a buzzer go off.

    I just called that original stealership service manager who only said 'you need to fill out the survey and I need a perfect score'! RUKM? You haven't even helped me!

    I found out the ECU they were going to put on for the $3300 is p/n 89540-47060
    and he said the buzzer was a separate part at 59.00 listed on my original invoice.

    So this is getting confusing.. I suppose I will do as Patrick suggested and stick my nose under the hood and get the part number.

    I may have to ask these questions if it comes to the replacement:





    Also, a good question to ask (and not that you'll get an honest answer) is:
    1. on this generation of Prius the forums suggest that ECU replacements are unheard of--how many have you ever replaced on a Prius?

    2 What if replacing the ECU doesn't fix the problem--who pays for the $$$$ unneeded ECU?
     
  16. pkwhisker

    pkwhisker Member

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    What is really hard for me to understand is this huge difference in prices between the fleabay ones at $40 bucks, and the camelback place Avi gave me which is $1300.00. The fleabay part actually says it comes with the buzzer. Wow, it almost sounds like some of these parts are easily reproduced and are counterfeits, or heck if I know..what a drastic difference is between 40 bucks and 1400.00 bucks!
     
  17. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    Well the Prius is so reliable many of the parts are not needed in the used marketplace. No demand means low prices.

    Just a few years ago, you can get a hv battery pack on ebay for about $500 or less. Now that price has more than double.
     
  18. SageBrush

    SageBrush Senior Member

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    I don't think counterfeit is a concern. The list price is $1300 or so, the used price reflects supply and demand. Most times a Prius reaches the junker a skid_ECU is pulled but there have been very, very few failures. You might be able to count the total on your thumbs.

    I suggest focusing on
    1. Getting the right part number. Sometimes Toyota puts out an 'improved' part that is back compatible with earlier years, and sometimes you have to stick with the part# that came in your car. Personally I would be happy with the original part# if it was cheap since it has proven so reliable.
    2. Learn how to install the part yourself, or find a shop that is inexpensive.Here is a diagram of where to look for the part in the car. It looks like it *might* be accessible with some simple lower dash disassembly but I do not have an '04 to be sure. If you take it upon yourself to swap, do be sure to disconnect the 12v battery first.

    Skid_ECU.png
     
  19. pkwhisker

    pkwhisker Member

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    Okay I have the part number, I called the service manager from the 1st toyota shop and it is: 89540-47060 at $2058.59. and they had another part for the buzzer for $59.00..

    Thank you both for explaining this to me, about supply and demand.

    I am very excited, as the new Toyota dealer it is at the Service Manager just called and did all the connection checks etc and light came on, and I said I'm changing the ECU would you install an after market and he said yes! And I said what about that wheel sensor, he said I took it off as I don't think it was it! And he said when I get the part, he will only charge me ONE MORE HOUR rate to put it on on what I was quoted! Which is $500! OMG i need to get the part RIGHT NOW so I can get it put in. Those fleabay parts they said are in 'good condition' and 'removed off a used Prius'.. and it shows the original part number on it so I will go that route I guess as they are supposed to be very reliable as you said.
     
  20. SageBrush

    SageBrush Senior Member

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    I don't understand if $500 includes what you already owe. I hope so, in a sense, since $500 for one hour of labor is ridiculous.

    For that matter, why do you have such a high bill already ?