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Dreaded MFD disfuntion

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Technical Discussion' started by Claude, Mar 22, 2007.

  1. Claude

    Claude New Member

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    I have a 2004 Prius with 45K miles on it. My MFD has started to glitch, shutting off the audio, blanking the miles, temp, MPG etc. It happens intermitenly.

    In reading online about this, it seems Toyota has know about this for quite a while and has not offerd up a free fix. I read that one way to test if you have a faulty MFD is to see if you can switch from Energy to Consumption using the INFO switch on the steering wheel.

    My Toyota dealer claims he has never heard of this problem and that they have not had any complaints on this before. He deny's ever recieving a service bulliten form Toyota on this also.

    Has anyone else been able to successfully deal withthis problem? If so, what steps need to be taken to get Toyota to replace this MFD for low cost or free?

    I have made an appointment withthe dealer for tomorrow so any advise would be appreciated.
    Thanks
     
    #1 Claude, Mar 22, 2007
  2. MegansPrius

    MegansPrius GoogleMeister, AKA bongokitty

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Claude @ Mar 22 2007, 01:03 PM) [snapback]410206[/snapback]</div>
    Run an advanced search with the keyword MFD in the Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting forum and you'll see a number of threads on this, and tips for buying aftermarket MFDs.

    There was a Toyota Service Bulletin on this problem for the 2004s (attached).
     

    Attached Files:

    #2 MegansPrius, Mar 22, 2007
  3. mikepaul

    mikepaul Senior Member

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    It may be costing Toyota too much money by now to have them offer to 'good-will' the fix for free. After I paid $89 for the diagnosis, and handed the service rep a copy of the Service Bulletin and repeated several (dozen?) times that it seemed like Toyota was letting these units die in the field despite the fact that they knew ALL of the bad ones would eventually fail, the actual repair was covered by Toyota under good-will..

    Take your best shot, be firm that it sucks to find this out, point out how Toyota HAS fixed it for free on other cars, and see what you get. I'm not sure doing it for one means they HAVE to do it for all, but you can try that tactic...
     
    #3 mikepaul, Mar 22, 2007
  4. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
    Staff Member

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    http://priuschat.com/Source-for-refurbished-MFDs-t26072.html

    Oh, and find a different service dept or at least speak to the service dept. manager. This is a well known problem, there's clearly a TSB on it. So either they're lying or do so little work on the Prius that they're probably not competent to work on yours...in either case you're probably better somewhere else.

    Again, speaking to the service manager...the head guy, not one of the service desk jockeys, and let him know about what you were told and ask how he thinks it should be dealt with. If you get satisfaction then maybe it's worth staying with them, if not then you have no choice, IMO, than to find a better service dept.

    Oh, if you have the extended warranty it should be covered under that. If not you can expect to have to pay at least the $400.
     
    #4 efusco, Mar 22, 2007
  5. Frank Hudon

    Frank Hudon Senior Member

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    failing to get Toyota to "good will" at least part of it, I'd look for a salvage one. That would be my first line of action then if unable to find one, I might consider the refurb ones that Toyota are selling. And the time to replace it is a bit more than the 2/10ths that Toyota pays but more like about 3-maybe 4 tenths. If your the least bit handy with tools and working on vehicles it's not a big job to re and re it yourself. Instructions are posted here on PC.
     
    #5 Frank Hudon, Mar 22, 2007
  6. tvgaffer

    tvgaffer Junior Member

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    I am having problems with mine as well and would like to know what your dealer said before I take mine in. Could you please send me a reply or an email[email protected]

    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Claude @ Mar 22 2007, 12:03 PM) [snapback]410206[/snapback]</div>
     
    #6 tvgaffer, Mar 23, 2007
  7. jrmgkia

    jrmgkia Wish I was cycling

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(tvgaffer @ Mar 23 2007, 11:39 AM) [snapback]411032[/snapback]</div>
    I got Toyota to pay for half of the cost, I also had them use a refurbished unit so it was about $500 cost to me. Check out the full story on my My Website.
     
    #7 jrmgkia, Mar 25, 2007
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