2004 MFD Acting UP

[Dion]

My 2004 Prius MFD is exhibiting the TSB problems. Audio off shown while audio is playing. Check connection to air conditioner displayed.

My question is this. The screen has not completely died. I want to get a replacement under the extended warranty. Should I wait until the MFD completely dies or bring it to the dealer now. The dealer says that they may need the car the entire day to inspect it. I don't want to be without the car for an entire day and then have the dealer say there is nothing wrong. What have you others done to have the MFD replaced. Can the dealer just connect something to the MFD to diagnose it?

[Patrick Wong]

I suggest that you take photos of the MFD display to document the symptoms that you noted. Then the service dept can use that evidence to become comfortable that the part indeed needs to be replaced.

[efusco]

They should replace it based upon you report of an issue. The TSB is pretty clear that the owner will report intermittent problems. I would use the word intermittent and describe exactly what you see word for word. If you can grab a photo that cant' hurt, but should not be necessary.

[Dion]

I totally agree that they should replace it based upon my report. They don't need to run disgnostics on the entire car to replace the MFD. The service guy said that it's an expensive part and we need to check everything before we can order a new part and that he does not know anything about the MFD TSB. They are just trying to give me a hard time. I will try to snap a photo.

Thanks for the replies

[johnp]

I had the same problem and the dealership insisted on spending time with the car prior to ordering parts. It did not act up while they had it but they ordered the refurbished screen and installed it a week later anyway.

I got the impression that this inspection is a formality that the service department is required to perform before they can proceed on the warranty claim.

Let us know if they accept a photo as proof but I suspect that there is a process to go through to get it fixed.

John

[Patrick Wong]

Originally Posted by Dion

...The service guy said that it's an expensive part and we need to check everything before we can order a new part and that he does not know anything about the MFD TSB...

OK, then maybe you should bring a copy of the TSB as well as your MFD photos so that the "service guy" can become educated about this issue.

[efusco]

Originally Posted by Dion

I totally agree that they should replace it based upon my report. They don't need to run disgnostics on the entire car to replace the MFD. The service guy said that it's an expensive part and we need to check everything before we can order a new part and that he does not know anything about the MFD TSB. They are just trying to give me a hard time. I will try to snap a photo.

Thanks for the replies

They are, technically, supposed to check a few connections that could be loose and cause a similar problem...a good department will order the part based upon history.

But yes, bring in the TSB with you and hand it right to the Service guy who didn't know anything about it. If you're feeling snarky you could ask if he'd like to see copies of the other Prius TSBs that are out...

[Dion]

Thanks again.

I had already printed a copy of TSB for the service guy.
I will take it when I make my appointment.

[richard schumacher]

Uhh, didn't this TSB apply only during the initial warranty period? That has expired for the OP's car. Or did Toyota extend this in some way?

[Patrick Wong]

Originally Posted by richard schumacher

Uhh, didn't this TSB apply only during the initial warranty period? That has expired for the OP's car. Or did Toyota extend this in some way?

Hi Richard,

A TSB provides technical advice to the Toyota techs about how to fix a problem; hence there is no expiration date to that advice unless superceded by a more recent TSB.

A separate question is whether or not the customer must pay for the service recommended by a TSB. The bottom of the front page of each TSB describes any applicable warranty associated with the service.

If the OP, owning a 2004, did not purchase extended warranty coverage, s/he would have to pay for MFD replacement now. Since s/he holds an extended warranty contract, the MFD replacement should not result in an out-of-pocket charge.