Electronics malfunction!

The Prius seems to have a special auto-fix feature. It seems that if you wait long enough the problems will fix themselves. Happened to me with the red triangle coming on every other day; it has been off for over two months.

 

It seems that the Prius sometimes has some computer trouble (I hope it's not windows based... ). Anyway, it also seems that most of these problems indeed resolve themselves. Maybe you could go to a Toyota dealer and have them check for any fault codes in the computer.

 

When I got the check engine or some other light (don't remember) I called the dealer and they said it was the gas cap which I had checked. They said they would check it out but if it wasn't a real problem it would cost me. That was when they told me the light would go away in a couple of days if it was the gas cap. The light went away and there have been no problems. Anyway, I would think that if the dealer were to check the codes and there was a problem that the warranty covered there would be no charge but if they found nothing you would pay the diagnostic charge based on talking to my service department.

 

That is pretty crappy that they would charge if they found nothing. I mean you had a problem. The check engine light came on. Its not like you are trying to waste their time and imagined the light coming on. It takes 2 seconds to scan a car and its easy. I think even if nothing was wrong it would be a nice customer service thing.

Alpha

 

Oh one other thing.
Is there a way to check the engine code by yourself? I know with most cars you can do some special thing, like turn the keys 3 times and turn on the head lights, and the check engine light will blink a code. WIll the Prius do that?

Alpha

 

If it does not it should. We have this wonderful I and its being under utilized. Why should we have to go through the Mickey Mouse procedure to remove the back up beep. There should be a screen to do various modifications and personalize your car. Just one persons opinion. (Did you notice I said We... only 3 more days and it will be We)

 

If a warning light is on the dealer will check the car and not charge you. If no warning light is on, and they find nothing wrong, they will charge you. This is fair, when you think about it, otherwise many folks could come in at any time for a free check. There are plenty of people out there with nothing better to do.

 

I'm starting to come to the conclusion that the Prius is not truly OBD11 compliant as most scanners will not pull the codes. I also think that part of the 40D recall was to address some of that. Now I'm wondering if Toyota only issued notice of it to States/Provinces with compulsory emission testing. We have the comp/test but the Canadian cars are still not readable with a normal code reader. The 2k3 is the 2k4 isn't. This is just for the engine control computer. I feel if the car is still with in the 3-36 warranty any MIL incident should be a obligation on the dealer to test. FOC as well.

 

North Dakota does not have emissions testing, but I did receive the 40D notice, and had it performed.

In my opinion, a reputable dealer will NOT charge you to investigate a trouble report under warranty. I can understand them charging if you just go in and ask, "Would you see if there are trouble codes, please?" But they should not charge (and I say an honest dealer won't charge) if you go in and say, "My car did thus-and-such. Would you please have a look?"

I agree that there should be a way to read trouble codes without a scanner.

 

Darn, sorry to hear that ALoLA... I have no idea what causes this strange behaviour of your Prius.

 

Same issue on my 2001 Prius

I'm driving along and the can drops down to 30. The screen flashes "Problem" the triangel and red car comes on. The first time I read the book. It says do not move the car. So I had it towed. Cost ME $140 + $75 because by the time it got there (I was on vacation in Vermont) the code was gone?
Second time I just waited the next day and it was gone.
Next time I brought it in for service, they were suggesting I was letting it run out of gas and thats why I was getting the error.
Third time I brought it in. Again no codes found $75.00 to me.
Fourth time, I had the guy come out side and look at the dash to see the error. He even turned the car off and on and the error came up.
Last night 8/11 they called, the error is gone but no codes were produced. But the tech wants to take the car home to see is it comes up(it won't).
I don't like that they don't look into it more and also charge. Because as someone else said in the stream, I myself don't have time for this.

 

Spoke to soon. The error did come up for the tech.
They called Toyota out in CA. There replacing a computer part. I'll get the car tomorrow. When I do I'll post the part they replaced.

 

I'd tell them to give you a refund on the previous issues. Its obvious that there was an existing problem.

Alpha

 

i agree there is no reason why you should be liable for an intermittent problem, especially one that can be reproduced.

but as far as these problems go, they are typical of computers for many reasons. i have also wondered how the weather might affect the onboard systems because i know a laptop would have lots of problems in the normal temperature in the interior of a closed up car even in moderate temperatures.

you realize of course that after you get in the car and start moving, air circulation will cool off the car (try paying attention to the outside thermometer as it drops just after startup) cooling off the various systems and increasing reliability. i think that has to play a part in some of this. the fact that you are in a hot climate doesnt help much.

of course, there are hotter places but i will have to say that although it was hotter in Vegas, many cars dont sit out and bake because of steps taken to keep cars out of the sun (covered parking at shoping centers plus a large percentage of carports, etc.)