StarterGuard.

Call the dealer who sold it to you...tell them you want your parts back........

 

If you live close, why not go back to the dealer?
If you live far away, call them up and have them ship the parts to you.

 

theres a lot of negative feedback and messages about toyota of santa monica and starter guard in general. to summarize what we have heard so far:

#1- you are being completely ripped off over it. it costs way too much money for the small amount of labor and parts used to install it

#2 - starter guard plays haywire with the prius electronics as they are really sensitive to voltages so you are more then likely going to need it removed

#3 toyota of santa monica forces the starter guard down your throat, because they make about $400 off of it, it is unknown if someone can actually purchase a prius from toyota of santa monica without getting the starter guard.

 

some starter guard threads on prius chat for your amusement / learning experience

http://priuschat.com/forums/prius-m...h-not-identified.html?highlight=starter+guard

http://priuschat.com/forums/prius-m...-presets-avg-mpg.html?highlight=starter+guard

http://priuschat.com/forums/newbie-...ta-monica-toyota.html?highlight=starter+guard

http://priuschat.com/forums/audio-electronics/44185-starter-guard.html?highlight=starter+guard

 

All Prius have the exposed bolt threads to the left of the top of the footrest. There is no missing nut or cover.

 

This is an interesting post in that you say the dealer made you install the Starerguard. I personally have not heard of it, but I recommend a battery tender that works with small batteries. I have three of them in all my battery stay fully charged.

As far as your missing parts go, go back to the dealer and insist on the return of those missing parts. If they don't have them in the shop tell them to have the parts department order them. Is the device they installed plugged into the wall at nighttime? It sounds like this is a battery tender of sorts.

I understand about being picky as I can be that way at times. I would not let the dealer have pushed me into buying that device, but what's done is done. Good luck on retrieving your parts.

 

AFAIK a "Starter Guard" is a device to cut power to the battery in the event of you leaving an internal light on or main lights etc to prevent you draining the 12v battery low enough so that it won't start the car...

Pretty pointless on a Prius (as the 12v does not start the ICE) and has cause no end of grief for many people, like system resets every morning etc.

Cheap tip: (that doesn't cost $600!) make sure you leave the lights off at night!

Personally I would have gone to another dealer for buy the Prius!.. After I'd informed toyota about this shadey practice.

 

There's no shortage of Toyota dealers in Los Angeles County - it makes perfect sense to buy from a dealer who does not install unneeded options at exorbitant prices.
Los Angeles County Toyota Dealers: Locate a Toyota Dealership in Los Angeles California to Buy a New or Used Toyota

 

Most of you who commented on why you would take the abuse of buying from SM Toyota who would not sell you a Prius unless you agreed to have the Starter Guard installed either purchased yours before June of this year or not in Southern Calif. As I wrote in a different thread, I had the choice of agreeng to pay $695 for this contraption or go to another dealer who were charging $1000 or more above MSRP with nothinng added. Do the math. We are just victims of greed. I could have purchased a Honda Civic but in July it was a 8 week wait, take it or leave it.

 

Thanks for the feedback. I'm wondering whether you tried Longo in El Monte - in the past they have refrained from above-MSRP pricing.

 

I just wonder why you didn't take the car back to the dealer? If they don't fix it I would get in contact with Toyota's corporate office.

 

Thanks Patrick, I would have tried Longo if they were closer. I live in Westwood and the horrifying traffic on the 10 prevented me from shopping around long distance. I figured SM Toyota was charging less than the dealers in the immediate vicinity. I experienced the same thing when I purchased the first Honda Accord in 1976 at MSRP $3500. The dealers were adding a whopping $500 at the time with a 3 months wait. Well i waited 5 months but got it at MSRP. Gouging customers for cars in demand have beeen around for a long time.