ABS, VSC, (!) and emergency brake light on... but still drives great?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by AlohaSpirit, Dec 18, 2017.

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  1. AlohaSpirit

    AlohaSpirit Junior Member

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    Hello All,
    I was finally able to join the Prius family after my Civic Hybrid was rear ended and totaled 3 weeks ago. I found a well taken care-of 2007 Prius with 92k miles... or so I thought. When I first got it there was nothing wrong... then on a long drive, the YELLOW ABS, VSC, (!) and emergency brake light turned on. But nothing felt different and it still drives perfectly fine. (I was cruising at 60 mph on the freeway with no sudden braking)

    NO EMERGENCY TRIANGLE

    I've read through a lot of the threads on here on the subject and many report things going on. However, I have not noticed any change in braking, the pedal is not mushy or has extra play/no loss in brake pressure. I do not have to stomp on it to stop as it just acts... normal. No alarm sounds. Lights are ON when I start the car.

    I checked the 12v battery directly and it read 12.5 when off. (The battery is 2.5 yrs old)
    I also looked in the coolant reservoir and it shows turbulence (Noticeable water movement).
    Both coolant and brake reservoirs are full.

    I am leary about going to the Toyota Dealer to resolve as I know they're expensive but I'm leaning that way.
    I'm fairly busy at work (10-15 hour days) so I really need a dependable car to get me there.
    Luckily its only 15 miles each way.

    I have not done the jumper trick yet
    Nor have I ran any codes or checked tire pressure.
    I have an OBD2 scanner that I will use tomorrow.

    Any input is greatly appreciated.
    Sorry if this is a double post but lots of the posts I've read is someone noticing a problem.
    Aside from a noisy whirl from the right/middle of the dash, everything is fine.

    Thanks for the help,
    Aloha
     
    #1 AlohaSpirit, Dec 18, 2017
  2. valde3

    valde3 Senior Member

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    Only way to know is to read the codes.

    If your scanner is just a basic model it can probably only read engine faults which you probably don’t have as check engine light is not on.

    You can take it to somewhere where they can read all codes (not just engine codes). Or if you want to do it yourself get Mini-VCI it requires Windows laptop but you can do basically all the work on a Prius with it.
     
    #2 valde3, Dec 18, 2017
  3. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    If it would take you a while to receive a mini-vci or other J2534 dongle and get the software set up, you can go ahead and retrieve the brake system codes with a jumper wire at any time. The sooner you know what the issues are that are developing with your brakes, the sooner you can plan what to do about them, and the less your overall anxiety will be.

    A lot of posts on PriusChat spend a lot of words on how these warning lights are on but "nothing felt different", "it still drives perfectly fine", etc., but, when you think about it, that's the whole point of having computers monitor for problems and warn you before you would otherwise notice. That's just the way it works. The next step is to look at the codes being reported.

    -Chap
     
    #3 ChapmanF, Dec 18, 2017
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  4. AlohaSpirit

    AlohaSpirit Junior Member

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    Thanks for the help.
    Going to lookup how to read the codes now.

    And yeah, I understand the early warning signs. Just hope it's not too bad because I gotta go to work! :unsure:
     
    #4 AlohaSpirit, Dec 18, 2017
  5. AlohaSpirit

    AlohaSpirit Junior Member

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    Is there a link for the code process?
    I searched and went back pages...

    I did read the one where you clear with pins 3 and 14.
     
    #5 AlohaSpirit, Dec 18, 2017
  6. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    Yoiks, I don't know where you ran across information saying pin 3. If that's still going around in a PriusChat thread somewhere, one of us should go post a correction there (another reason maybe it wouldn't be great to lock old threads).

    Check this post for the basics. Do note that the CG (chassis ground) pin is no. 4, not no. 3. (Because it is chassis ground, you can also use more or less any bare metal you see nearby for that end of your jumper, so the Tc pin is the one you need to get right).

    The correct procedure is completely shown in the repair manual. The post linked above gives the basics on how to read the codes, but you'd probably still want to refer to the manual for learning what they mean when you read them, anyway.

    -Chap
     
    #6 ChapmanF, Dec 18, 2017
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  7. AlohaSpirit

    AlohaSpirit Junior Member

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    Appreciate the help.

    I browsed the forum before I joined and was impressed with all the great info found here.
    Got some really knowledgeable members.
     
    #7 AlohaSpirit, Dec 18, 2017
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  8. AlohaSpirit

    AlohaSpirit Junior Member

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    Update

    Took it to Toyota because the brake actuator was under warranty. Got a call and they said it's the actuator AND skid control ecu. Cost would be 3k for the skid.

    Not sure what to do. They can't guarantee that it's the skid control. They will give me the codes they find. Now I'm off to look up skid control. If anyone can link a good thread, it'll be much appreciated.
     
    #8 AlohaSpirit, Dec 23, 2017
  9. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    #9 Patrick Wong, Dec 26, 2017
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  10. AlohaSpirit

    AlohaSpirit Junior Member

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    Update:

    Toyota said for Skid ECU + Install would be $3000
    If I brought in my own Skid ECU it would be about $300 (labor) to install

    I tried to contact the sales AND the parts department but they guy said he had to look up the Part Number

    I will definitely be getting the part online. Thank you for the help Patrick. Does used matter?

    *They recommended getting the 47130 part number.

    -----
    Got rear ended a month ago. Totaled my Civic Hybrid
    Had to drive a rental for 3 weeks.
    Got a Prius which then threw ABS code
    Went to Servo which is super backed up
    Driving an old Ranger which then had a cracked radiator yesterday
    What a Christmas!
     
    #10 AlohaSpirit, Dec 26, 2017
  11. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    Since Servco Pacific service is so busy, I suggest the following:

    1. Order the replacement used part on eBay or wherever you see fit.
    2. Have the dealer replace the brake actuator assembly since they've acknowledged it has a problem.
    3. See if the new brake actuator solves the problem. If yes, then you are done, although you now own a replacement skid control ECU for future use.
    4. If the braking system is still impaired then have the dealer install the replacement used part.
    5. The used part at a cost of <$100 is certainly a reasonable alternative to paying $2,500+ for a new part.
    6. Catch up on the deferred maintenance on the Ford truck.
     
    #11 Patrick Wong, Dec 26, 2017
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  12. AlohaSpirit

    AlohaSpirit Junior Member

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    Update:

    Finally got my Prius back after having my other car totaled about what... 7 weeks ago

    They said that I would NEED to replace the Brake Actuator and Skid Control ECU (showing codes for each)

    So I said fix the Actuator FIRST and then see if that fixes it (got SKID in the meantime)

    So they fixed the Brake Actuator under Warranty and no lights came back on (didn't use Skid)

    Thanks for everyone's help.


    I'll keep the SKID just in case I suppose
     
    #12 AlohaSpirit, Jan 13, 2018
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  13. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    congrats! thanks for the update. all the best!(y)
     
    #13 bisco, Jan 14, 2018
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  14. AlohaSpirit

    AlohaSpirit Junior Member

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    Update w some pics. Not bad for 10 years and 90,000 miles

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     

    Attached Files:

    #14 AlohaSpirit, Jan 15, 2018
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  15. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    clean!(y)
     
    #15 bisco, Jan 15, 2018
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  16. Bunce

    Bunce Active Member

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    Nice seats. Are they covers? If so, where are they from?
     
    #16 Bunce, Jan 16, 2018
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  17. AlohaSpirit

    AlohaSpirit Junior Member

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    Thanks
    Yeah, they are "wet okole" type seat covers
     
    #17 AlohaSpirit, Jan 20, 2018
  18. padroo

    padroo Senior Member

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    Nice car, good luck with your Prius.
     
    #18 padroo, Jan 20, 2018
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  19. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    Or you could resell it.

    Parked at Ala Moana Center? I agree, the seat covers are quite nice. Not easy to log 90K miles in Honolulu.
     
    #19 Patrick Wong, Jan 20, 2018
  20. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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    We rural people with jobs in the city can easily rack up the miles. Our 2011 Prius is at 85k and our 2010 Camry is at 95k miles. :(


    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    #20 xliderider, Jan 20, 2018
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