1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

TSB Released on Fuel Gauge Innacuracies

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Tempus, Aug 26, 2004.

  1. artie

    artie Member

    Joined:
    Feb 5, 2004
    232
    65
    0
    Location:
    san diego
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    got my car back today, they had it all week, got to drive a scion xb, didn't like it, for 2 days, then a sienna, loved it.
    nice to get prius back, however. i saw the bill to toyota from the dealer, $1350. plus the loaner i would guess. yikes.
    well, car runs as before, we'll see what happens with the changes.
    they also fixed a rattle in the dash in front of me, turned out it was some kind of brace or something that broke!, glad they found that, they said they had to open up the whole top of the dash, scary.
    so, i got the car back today at 11 am and backed up into a tree at Old Town here in san diego at noon. then i puntured the same rear bumper cover in another spot, backing up into a car whilst parking, an hour later.
    i'm totally freaked, and wondering what this will cost, or whether the body shop can patch it all up... :oops: how do i get that rear back-up warning system installed, is it possible, or maybe i should just hire a driver.

    will let you all know what happens with the tsb.
     
  2. removeum

    removeum Member

    Joined:
    Jul 6, 2004
    407
    0
    0
    Location:
    El Paso, TX
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Had both items replaced. It took about 4 hours. Only one hitch, the fuel gagecalibrationn info was a little off on the TSB. They had to call the tech's in CA for the correct info.

    So fare I have 110 miles on this tank and the gage has not moved.
     
  3. DaveinOlyWA

    DaveinOlyWA 3rd Time was Solariffic!!

    Joined:
    Apr 13, 2004
    15,140
    611
    0
    Location:
    South Puget Sound, WA
    Vehicle:
    2013 Nissan LEAF
    Model:
    Persona
    my first bar will go anywhere from 100-150 miles
     
  4. jchu

    jchu New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 2, 2004
    1,063
    0
    0
    Location:
    Nampa, ID
  5. myride

    myride Junior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 10, 2004
    61
    0
    0
    Location:
    Houston Tx.
    fuel guage

    i now have 7K miles on mine now and iv noticed that 9.5-10 gallons is what i get in it right after the last bar starts to blink. i have got for 60 miles after it starts and not run out but i wont do it often. im happy with it taking about this to fill it up. keeps the numbers easy when people ask what milage im getting. 450-500 miles on a tank of 9.5-10 is impresive to most. :mrgreen:
     
  6. Bob Allen

    Bob Allen Captainbaba

    Joined:
    Jan 16, 2004
    1,273
    11
    0
    Location:
    Seattle, WA
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    another UPDATE on TSB

    Hi: I brought HUMU back to the dealer this morning for him to install the parts he ordered last week as per the TSB on fuel gauges, etc. Well, it seems I will also get a new MFD courtesy of Toyota. Only thing is, the car will need to stay overnight and the dealer will put me in a rental (something? probably not a Prius).
    I'd be curious about other folks experiences with this TSB and if you also had to have your MFD replaced. I'm not sure, but I think they are also replacing the computer as well. The service tech said they were replacing the MFD to go along with the changed computer...ambiguous. Not sure if they just reprogrammed the existing computer or gave me a new one.
    I guess this fuel thing is more complex than any one of us thought. I think my dealer is pretty much on top of this in spite of not having the full assortment of parts on hand. I'm with Evan as guinea pig and will let all of you know how this went. I look forward to going further between fillups and actually having the range promised by 11.9 gallons of fuel.
    As to whether to get it fixed or not, that's pretty subjective which is probably why Toyota didn't send recall notices to all of us. Only those for whom this is important will come in (and save Toyota some money from having to fix everyone's car, not just those who came in).
    Bob
     
  7. jkash

    jkash Member

    Joined:
    Nov 26, 2003
    889
    18
    0
    Location:
    West Hills, CA
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    I'm glad you guys are getting this done first. I was the first one to mention the TSB to my dealer, but I will not be the first one that has the work done. I'm too big of a chicken for that. I'm going to wait a couple of months to see if they have done any. My car is running great and I don't care that much that I can only go 400 miles on a tank.
     
  8. babesp

    babesp New Member

    Joined:
    May 22, 2004
    55
    0
    0
    Location:
    Maine
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    My Prius fell in the range that only needed the fuel filler pipe. I decided to pursue it as much as a test of the dealer as to remedy any dissatisfaction. After running out of gas and coasting to a pump once, i have been filling up at 2 bars. When I called, the tech had no clue...said I would have to come in and have it checked out - they might not have the parts.... Told him that was unacceptable and asked for the manager. Told her to order the parts and I would come in for oil service and this repair. They supposedly did the repair on Tuesday - I should have asked to see the part they removed as I am skeptical, but I did not. The repair and oil change (no tire rotation per Click & Clack :) took 2.5 hours. I went in with a full tank and the TSB indicated it needed to be down to 3/4 or lower (as I recall). I'm not sure how they removed and replaced the fuel! Have not filled the tank yet but will be interested to see how it goes. Will also be doing a long trip next week and several fill ups so I should get an idea if anything changed. I will post again if anything interesting occurs! Would be interested to hear if anyone else is having just the fill pipe replaced.
     
  9. HTMLSpinnr

    HTMLSpinnr Super Moderator
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Dec 8, 2003
    5,341
    920
    251
    Location:
    Surprise, AZ (Phoenix)
    Vehicle:
    2018 Tesla Model 3
    Model:
    N/A
    For mine, my dealer wants to keep the car between the time the parts are ordered and they are installed. I stated that others weren't and he stated that it was an illegal practice as it was "modifying the ODO". I didn't disagree, and am somewhat glad they're on the right side of the fence with this. However - because I couldn't drive a rental to AZ tonight and again next week (job interviews), I opted to wait until I'm "back in town" for them to keep it for 4 days.
     
  10. Bob Allen

    Bob Allen Captainbaba

    Joined:
    Jan 16, 2004
    1,273
    11
    0
    Location:
    Seattle, WA
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Make sure the dealer has the parts

    Hi: Several of you commented on your dealers not having the parts ready when you brought your Prii in for the fuel gauge TSB. My dealer did the diagnostic a week ago, then ordered the parts and I brought the car in yesterday thinking he had the parts he needed. Apparently, the directions from Toyota about this TSB are vague enough that some dealers may think they are ready to go ahead on your car, but discover, as my dealer did, that they needed yet more parts. In this case, the dealer didn't realize that the entire computer is to be replaced....so I get to come back again next week.
    Good thing is that they are very friendly and generally on top of things. They also offer a shuttle service and loaner cars; better set up than other Toyota dealers in my area. Not ready to give up on them yet.
    So, I would suggest when you bring your car in to get this done, that you verify they have all the parts before you leave your car to have the work done.
    Odd, though, that Toyota elected not to contact the affected owners, but instead, notified dealers that some (astute) owners might be coming in complaining about fuel innacuracies. Maybe they wanted to save money by not offering to fix all affected cars.
    Bob
     
  11. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Nov 26, 2003
    19,891
    1,193
    9
    Location:
    Nixa, MO
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Can anyone tell me exactly which computer it is that needs to be replaced that's not stated in the TSB itself?

    BTW, I called again today, my 'computer' module (not sure which that is) is still not in...I've had the car for 10 days now since the parts were ordered--logging a good 450-500 miles since !

    I'm going to be out of town on vacation next week so I'm dropping off my baby at the dealership and crossing my fingers that they won't destroy her and will hopefully successfully get everything fixed for me. We'll see.

    I'll update this thread in a week or so.
     
  12. swoozle

    swoozle Junior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 2, 2004
    11
    0
    0
    Bob Allen:
    What dealer is doing your work? I'm in the Seattle area too and looking for a good dealer to go to for the TSB.
    By the way, thanks again for turning me on to Moses Lake!
     
  13. artie

    artie Member

    Joined:
    Feb 5, 2004
    232
    65
    0
    Location:
    san diego
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    got my car back from the tsb replacement, $1350 plus 5 day car rental!
    got my first fill-up at blinking bar, 9.7 gal. hmmm,
    1. in 7 months i've only gotten over 6.5 to 7.5 twice, so 9.7 is good, but
    2. at blink, should it not be getting 10 plus??, anyway, car is perfect, even tho i was the first, all my settings remain except for back-up chime which i re-uninstalled.
    then i backed up into a tree.
    i'll have my second tank fill-up tomorrow, let's see what happens.
    yes, my dealer demanded the car whilst waiting for the ODO computer *(that's the only computer they replace, not the MFD screen, etc. unless they blow it up), i didn't mind, like to try different cars, disliked the scionB, loved the sienna.
    it seems like i've already posted all this somewhere. oh well, nice thing about alzheimers is i meet nice new people every day and i get to hide my own easter eggs.
     
  14. DaveinOlyWA

    DaveinOlyWA 3rd Time was Solariffic!!

    Joined:
    Apr 13, 2004
    15,140
    611
    0
    Location:
    South Puget Sound, WA
    Vehicle:
    2013 Nissan LEAF
    Model:
    Persona
    as i said before, not worth it imo.... but since i already have the fix, maybe my perception of your tank capacity problems is not as severe as reality.

    even with the fix, i think there is a huge room for improvement.
     
  15. canuckican

    canuckican New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 2, 2004
    75
    1
    0
    Location:
    Windsor, Ontario, Canada
    Just an observation on a newer Canadian model...

    My VIN is 93*** (built in June), so I'm above the range that should need any repair. The other day I filled up with two bars left. The metric capacity is 45 L so 2/10 of 45 L is 9L, should be able to add approximately 36 L. I added 23.6 and the tank was full! Also, I am averaging only 5.2L/100 km (due to very short work commutes) which even still should give a total of 865 km/tank. I was only at 523 km when I had to do the refill. This is what bothers me about this inaccuracy. There is a HUGE difference between being able to drive 900 km and only 550 km before needing a refill. It is just frustrating.

    I will note that I did only wait until the two bars (not one blinking) before refilling because so many people here have said it can plummet from two bars to no bars very quickly. I also saw the behavior that it stood on 3 bars for quite some time before dropping to 2. Also, I did NOT try to slowly top off the tank while refilling as others have suggested - I know there is more additional capacity, but the prospect of having gas burp all over me and the car is too unattractive.

    So I guess my observation is just this: they claim the problem is fixed on VIN's above 78000??? I DON'T THINK SO! As I've described it, my car has all the same symptoms that everyone else is describing. You can take these data for what they're worth. Would you all agree with this? I wonder if anyone else whit high VINs is seeing what I'm seeing? Any Canadians?

    BTW, I will not be going in for the fix.
     
  16. swepri

    swepri New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 27, 2004
    71
    0
    0
    Location:
    Motala, Sweden
    canuckican, my VIN is 92*** and at my first fill up (blinking bar+10miles) I got 40L in before auto shutoff.

    Today I filled up from half tank (5 bars) and put in 22L. So my gauge seems alright.

    Of course Swedish Prii don't have the bladder messing things up. Do canadian Prii have the dreaded bladder?

    /Paj
     
  17. peart75

    peart75 New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 28, 2004
    104
    0
    0
    Location:
    san diego
    canuckian,

    mine was built in june as well, so i don't need the TSB either. i notice that the bottom bars take about as long to go away as the top bars. the bars in the middle drop a lot faster then everything else. if we graphed it out i'm sure it would look like an hourglass.

    i suggest to you to wait at least until the last bar when it starts to blink. let us know how that fairs.

    -drew
     
  18. julio

    julio New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 21, 2004
    5
    0
    0
    Sorry I ask, but where I can find the .pdf. Last week I had the erratic display error and the dealer ordered a new one, I also hear the metallic clunk in the rear. Now my car needs the fuel computer and filler neck. I want to do it all at once. Thanks
     
  19. DaveinOlyWA

    DaveinOlyWA 3rd Time was Solariffic!!

    Joined:
    Apr 13, 2004
    15,140
    611
    0
    Location:
    South Puget Sound, WA
    Vehicle:
    2013 Nissan LEAF
    Model:
    Persona
    check the first page of this thread
     
  20. canuckican

    canuckican New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 2, 2004
    75
    1
    0
    Location:
    Windsor, Ontario, Canada
    swepri confirms what I've been saying. He put in 22L and had five bars left on the display. I put in 23.6L and was down to two bars. Clearly 1.6L cannot be the difference between half a tank and 1/5 a tank! I would say his car is behaving "normally" and mine is behaving in an uncalibrated fashion. Yet mine is supposedly "ok". I reiterate; I don't think so.

    OTOH, I don't think I will be waiting until the last bar is blinking before refilling. I wouldn't even drive my last old car that far below 1/8th of a tank, much less a new rather expensive one. Sorry, just a chance I'm not willing to take. Basically, I fall into that camp of people who can live with this Prius idiosyncracy. Just hope they get it all worked out in future models...