Brake locks up with indicator when stopped

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by JarrettOriginal, Dec 8, 2015.

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  1. JarrettOriginal

    JarrettOriginal Member

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    This has happened twice now, about a month ago and then again today.

    I was stopped at a light with my foot on the brake. There is a clunk noise, then the indicator light comes on.

    The first time I tried to go, and the car stayed put. I hit the parking button, then went back into gear, no problem.

    The second time I just put it in park and then back to gear. No problem.

    But it is weird that it does it. Seems to only happen when I'm pressing the brake firmly at a stop.

    Anyone else have this happen?
     
    #1 JarrettOriginal, Dec 8, 2015
  2. frodoz737

    frodoz737 Top Wrench

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    If the indicator light/s came on as you say, there should be a code latched. I take brake systems very serious, especially with the Prius based on past failures. If it were me..I'd pony up the diagnostic fee at the Dealership and make sure what's going on post haste.
     
    #2 frodoz737, Dec 8, 2015
  3. jdcollins5

    jdcollins5 Senior Member

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    What indicator light comes on?

    Any chance it is the Hill Assist indicating light? This comes on when you press the brake harder than normal. It is meant to keep the car from rolling backwards on a hill. It holds the brakes for a couple of seconds to give you time to move your foot from brake to accelerator.
     
    #3 jdcollins5, Dec 8, 2015
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  4. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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    +1. I agree, it sounds like the OP is activating the Hill Start Assist feature.

    OP, if it's the Hill Start Assist feature, then simply pressing on the accelerator releases the brakes.
     
    #4 xliderider, Dec 8, 2015
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  5. frodoz737

    frodoz737 Top Wrench

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    I hope you guys are right, but in over 110,000 miles driving flat-land and mountains I have not had this combination of events happen...ever.
     
    #5 frodoz737, Dec 8, 2015
  6. maurices

    maurices Member

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    I wonder if this might be related to caliper slide pins needing to be cleaned/lubricated... Just a thought.
     
    #6 maurices, Dec 8, 2015
  7. JarrettOriginal

    JarrettOriginal Member

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    I don't think it's hill assist, as I was on a flat surface both times and when I pressed the accelerator the car did not move. I had to put it in park and then back into gear.

    I'm not sure which indicator light, I think it was a Red !, but I'll make sure to remember it if happens again.
     
    #7 JarrettOriginal, Dec 8, 2015
  8. frodoz737

    frodoz737 Top Wrench

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    "IF" it happens again...you mean "when" don't you.
     
    #8 frodoz737, Dec 8, 2015
  9. Munpot42

    Munpot42 Senior Member

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    With hill assist it doesn't matter whether you are on a hill or not, it's how hard you press the brake pedal. You might try (next time you are out and not in traffic) pressing on the brake pedal very hard and see if the same light lights up, if so, you have your answer, if not, I guess it is time to see the dealer
     
    #9 Munpot42, Dec 8, 2015
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  10. The Electric Me

    The Electric Me Go Speed Go!

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    Just out of curiosity given your described situation, do you have any sense as to whether the "not moving" is more a brakes are locked issue, or a the transmission isn't working issue?

    Just curious because the common denominator is you selecting park then drive.

    I don't know what to hope for here, as a transmission problem could be more expensive than a brake problem. But either problem is a potential safety issue.

    I'd really recommend getting this looked at ASAP.
     
    #10 The Electric Me, Dec 8, 2015
  11. Lucifer

    Lucifer Senior Member

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    I agree with frodo about the severity, but also agree it could be hill assist, and notice the op ignores the advice to have the code read, but want to add, it's a '10, is the 12v new or nearly new? Weirder things have happened with a low 12v
     
    #11 Lucifer, Dec 8, 2015
  12. The Electric Me

    The Electric Me Go Speed Go!

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    I'm actually placing my bet on Transmission Problem.
     
    #12 The Electric Me, Dec 8, 2015
  13. JarrettOriginal

    JarrettOriginal Member

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    yes

    Had it at the dealer today, they didn't notice anything unusual... hooray?

    85k miles on the 12v.

    As for the codes, I have no idea what they all mean off the top of my head, and in the moment I just have to try to get the car moving again, so I don't instinctual remember them. I'm not "ignoring" them.
     
    #13 JarrettOriginal, Dec 8, 2015
  14. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    you have to have them scanned at the dealer and give you a printout.
     
    #14 bisco, Dec 8, 2015
  15. The Electric Me

    The Electric Me Go Speed Go!

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    Be careful.
    Despite the dealerships failure to "notice anything" I suspect you do have a problem and it will manifest again.
    What exactly did the dealership do as far as diagnosis?
     
    #15 The Electric Me, Dec 8, 2015
  16. JarrettOriginal

    JarrettOriginal Member

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    I brought it in for the 85k service, also had to replace a tire, get rotated and re-aligned, and got that damn reverse beep taken care of.
    (also some other things that I can do myself: wipers, clean the throttle body)

    I told them about the brake issue, they didn't comment about it afterwards.

    I will be aware, I'm not an idiot.

    Honestly, the judgmental tone of the responses... maybe it's because I'm running a fever, but damn. I'm a 32 year old who has rebuilt a car, not some kid who is going to be flippant about issues. I've taken multiple cars over 200k miles, hell, my van is almost at 300k.

    I ask on here, because the prius is a bit different than standard ICE cars, and you are often helpful.

    Thanks for the suggestions on the Hill assist, and I've already suspected transmission due to the gear shift solution.
     
    #16 JarrettOriginal, Dec 8, 2015
  17. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    sorry.:oops:
     
    #17 bisco, Dec 8, 2015
  18. The Electric Me

    The Electric Me Go Speed Go!

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    Sorry, did NOT mean to sound judgmental or suggest you weren't competent.

    Whenever anyone brings forth a problem that might be brake, tire, or transmission related I'm a little aggressive about suggesting being attentive, if only because I see it as a potential safety issue. That's the only reason I mention "being careful". I'd say the same thing to my enemy, mother or best friend.
     
    #18 The Electric Me, Dec 8, 2015
  19. JarrettOriginal

    JarrettOriginal Member

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    I understand, but it does come across patriaricle. Probably due to the limitations of text conversation not having tone or body language.

    no worries, and I'll update the thread when the problem is uncovered, in case anyone else has a similar experience.
     
    #19 JarrettOriginal, Dec 8, 2015
  20. PriusGuy32

    PriusGuy32 Prius Driver Extraordinaire

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    I dont want to sound like the broken record, and I know you are intelligent but I didnt even know my Prius had "hill assist" until I accidentally activated it one day, lol. And it did the same thing on flat ground.
    Just crossing my fingers that this is a feature you are activating inadvertently, and not something more nefarious.....
     
    #20 PriusGuy32, Dec 8, 2015
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