Toyota Prius: Problems & Solutions - READ ONLY

711 messages, Last post on Oct 27, 2006 at 3:23 AM

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#134 of 711 Engine problem- faulty computer? by md_sailor Feb 22, 2005 (8:15 am)
I was driving home last week in my 04 Prius, watching the mpg reading creep up to 48.0, when I stopped at a stop sign. Immediately after starting up, my dashboard lit up with multiple failure warnings, including "VSC", the red triangle around an exclamation point, a yellow circle with exclamation point, etc. The car continued forward, but just on battery power. Since I was only 2 miles from home I decided to continue, and made it into my driveway by coasting the last 1/2 mile. The car then stopped and would not move forward. I turned it off and read some of the manual. After a few minutes, I pressed the "ON" button and this time the gas engine started, although the mass of warning lights stayed on. I got the car into the garage, where I left it running to charge the battery (garage door open of course). While I called Toyota, the car stopped. After having it towed on a flatbed to Toyota the next day, the car was fixed by reprogramming the ECM (engine control module). So far there is no explanation from Toyota for the failure, I'm trying to work my way up to someone who actually knows something about the computers. My confidence in this car, and Toyota, was badly shaken by this incident. Before this incident, my Prius ran perfectly for 12,900 miles. Summer mileage is 48 to 52 mpg, winter is 40 to 46 mpg. Mileage is much better in warm weather. Has anyone gotten a real explanation for similar failures? How many 04 Prius's have had the same problem? I see a few others at post #40 here. Replies to this message: hybrid2 (Feb 28, 2005 1:11 pm)
#135 of 711 Re: Mileage dropped off significantly after 10k check [little_pogi] by md_sailor Feb 22, 2005 (8:26 am)
Replying to: little_pogi (Sep 28, 2004 9:18 pm) My 04 Prius went for an oil change, then ran roughly. Mileage was reduced a little, but since it was also colder I did not attribute it to anything else. Now, after taking the Prius for service, (see post #134) it turns out that the service technician put nearly a QUART TOO MUCH OIL in the car! According to the service manager, this will make the car run roughly. Always check the oil level yourself- it is critical to proper performance of this car, and unbelievable to me until I saw it happen that the service person could be so careless. Replies to this message: stevewa (Feb 27, 2005 12:36 am)
#136 of 711 Smart entry system by kornklan Feb 25, 2005 (8:33 am)
Does anyone out there have any problems with the smart entry system? When I use it to open the drivers door, only that door unlocks. I then have to unlock the other doors from inside. However, when I use the smart entry system to open the hatchback, all the doors unlock. I thought that all doors should unlock when you use the smart entry system to unlock the drivers door. Is this the way the system is supposed to work or do I have a problem? Replies to this message: tempusvn (Feb 25, 2005 9:00 am) kornklan (Feb 26, 2005 5:43 pm) jakclc (Mar 11, 2005 2:26 pm) and 1 more...
#137 of 711 Re: Smart entry system [kornklan] by tempusvn Feb 25, 2005 (9:00 am)
Replying to: kornklan (Feb 25, 2005 8:33 am) "When I use it to open the drivers door, only that door unlocks. I then have to unlock the other doors from inside. However, when I use the smart entry system to open the hatchback, all the doors unlock." That's the default programming. If you use SKS to open the Passenger Door or Rear Hatch, all the doors will unlock. If you use it on the Driver Door, only that door will unlock. The defaults can be changed using just the key fob to program it I believe (some default changes require the scan tool). I think the instructions are in the manual. Replies to this message: kornklan (Feb 26, 2005 5:43 pm) jakclc (Mar 11, 2005 2:26 pm) tempusvn (Mar 11, 2005 2:34 pm)
#138 of 711 Re: Smart entry system [tempusvn] by kornklan Feb 26, 2005 (5:43 pm)
Replying to: tempusvn (Feb 25, 2005 9:00 am) Thanks for the info. I'll try it and let you know how I make uout. Replies to this message: jakclc (Mar 11, 2005 2:26 pm) tempusvn (Mar 11, 2005 2:34 pm)
#139 of 711 Re: Mileage dropped off significantly after 10k check [md_sailor] by stevewa Feb 27, 2005 (12:36 am)
Replying to: md_sailor (Feb 22, 2005 8:26 am) Yep, I only give the service people 3.5 quarts of oil for this reason. One time I gave them one of those 5-quart jugs of Mobil 1 and they just poured the whole thing in there.
#140 of 711 Re: MSG 134 Engine problem- faulty computer? by gs80 Feb 28, 2005 (4:50 am)
MD_Sailor -- the same thing happened to me yesterday in my 04 prius with 8750 miles. I was driving along and suddenly the Red Triangle with exclamation point and yellow cicle with exclamation point came on. My speedometer also went blank (disappeared from the dashboard). I pulled over and called Toyota service. An hour later I got a tow truck. I could not get the transmission into neutral -- it would not move from park and I could not get the car to power off. During the wait, I also got error messages on the MSD about the brakes not working correctly and then the display flashed about two-three minutes and then went dead. We got to the dealer and luckily one of the sales guys was there. He could not figure it out, but said he'd seen several come in like that. When the tow truck driver was backing the car off the flat bed, there was a popping noise and the car seemed to reset itself -- and seemed to be working fine. I left it at the dealer and will let them look at it today. I'll keep everyone posted. Replies to this message: md_sailor (Mar 06, 2005 8:52 am) featherhead (Mar 10, 2005 9:04 pm) stevedebi (Mar 11, 2005 11:57 am) fred8 (Mar 23, 2005 11:31 am) stevedebi (Mar 28, 2005 2:18 pm) oregon_trail (Apr 10, 2005 1:05 am) and 3 more...
#141 of 711 Followup to Accelerator issue (post 128) by amdcj Feb 28, 2005 (9:59 am)
I have received my new 05 Prius (Option Pack 6 with leather interior) lemon law replacement. I tried "The maneuver" (see post 128) a dozen times and could not get it to fail. Maybe it is the addition of the VSC that option pack 6 has (my old Prius was an 04 Option Pack 3). The Navigation system in the new car is awesome. Right now I am a very happy Prius owner. 48-51MPG
#142 of 711 Re: Engine problem- faulty computer? [md_sailor] by hybrid2 Feb 28, 2005 (1:11 pm)
Replying to: md_sailor (Feb 22, 2005 8:15 am) My 2004 Prius had the same problem that you describe. It has 24,000 miles. It also was towed and I have also lost confidence in this car. I have also not had a real explanation for this failure. The car was reprogrammed and we'll see how it goes.
#143 of 711 front windshield reflection by rembelski Mar 01, 2005 (2:22 pm)
we are having a problem with a reflection on the front windshield of our 05 prius at night-it is not subtle and the dealership says it has not heard of this but says it will try to follow up-they also suggested i try to contact toyota and i am not sure what to think now Replies to this message: tempusvn (Mar 01, 2005 4:20 pm)