Multi Information Display intermittently freezes

bmillerbiop · 05-01-2007, 08:54 PM

Has anybody encountered this? A couple days after a dealer service, my "Multi Information Display" panel intermittently freezes up, then works, then freezes up, etc. The screens still display, and things like the 5-minute interval bar graph on the Consumption screen still advances, but the real-time data is missing. Eg. the moment-by-moment bar graph doesn't change, and the mileage data is blank or frozen at the same number. The audio screen might show "Audio Off" when a CD is playing. If I can get the Climage Control screen to come up, the buttons are unresponsive - or the screen doesn't appear at all, but instead there's a message "Check the connection of the air conditioner". Then 15-20 minutes later, everything is working again, and the mileage and fuel economy appear accurate, as tho it is continuing to calculate properly all along. Even when acting up, the climate and audio controls still work from the steering wheel and lower dash.

Think maybe some electrical plug got knocked loose when changing the cabin air filter or some such thing? I don't want the dealer to tell me I need a new $3000 computer!

Thanks in advance!
-Bill

**efusco** · 05-01-2007, 09:38 PM

You need a new $3000 display....

Ok, depending upon what service was performed they could have knocked a plug loose..and that should be checked.

And the $3000 display should only be about $400 as a refurb.

And, if you're still within the 3 yr/36k warranty OR if you have the extended warranty it should be covered.

But, more than likely, your display is going bad and needs to be replaced....welcome to the club.

Hannahspip · 05-20-2007, 09:47 PM

To be clear on the context:
I have an '04 Prius with 81,000 + miles on it (don't know the package # - its pretty basic, though);
have had regular service done exclusively at the dealer where I bought the car;
recently had the water pump replaced at their suggestion;
When I took the car yesterday the screen was acting up as you fellahs have described:
no current data on the consumption screen,
no access to the climate controls - check A/C message - but the steering wheel buttons seem to still work,
no access to the audio screen - says Audio is off - but, again, the steering wheel buttons and the hard buttons on the dash seem to work, as does the radio itself; sometimes spontaneously turns itself off but comes right back on when I push the button on the dash.
The MFD occasionally works properly and then freezes up again.
I gather that this is not an unknown problem and that I may be able to get Toyota to help with the fix or at least get my dealer to turn it from a $4,000 fix into a $400 refurb. There seems to be some feeling out there that this should be a recall but it hasn't happened yet.
Am I missing anything? Any further suggestions? Is this a hardware or software problem? Is there some secret way to do a reset on the software? Should I mess around trying connections first? Most importantly, can things go from bad to worse and I or my wife get stranded someplace?

Trillion · 06-27-2007, 03:59 PM

I just encountered same problem in my 04 at about 75K. It happened just as I was leaving the dealership after my routine service, so I thought they might have missed a re-connection somewhere. At first the service rep said they couldn't replicate my problem. I told them to try driving the car around. I assume they did this because after a while they called and said they saw the problem but COULD NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT EXCEPT REPLACE THE UNIT AT $4,200. The serice rep (Micheal Dong at City Toyota in Daly City, CA) told me he would try asking Toyota for a "goodwill" assistance under which they'd replace the faulty console with a refurb for around $500.00. I was still upset by this, although compared to $4,200 it seemed at least do-able. Got a call from Mr. Dong saying Toyota was not going for the "goodwill assistance" he had mentioned.
I don't plan on taking this one sitting down. My husband did some online research for me and found this to be a recurring problem in the 04's. This is not a part that "wears down" like brakes

. If enough folks are having this issue, Toyota ought to have some protocol besides trying to sell a $4,200 part. Who would go for that? My husband and I drive Toyotas because they are known for quality and customer service. I am very dissapointed. Would like to hear any advice. Yes, I have an extended Platinum Warranty. Service rep told me it only covers the power train.

ScottY · 06-27-2007, 05:18 PM

From this page, http://www.toyotafinancial.com/pyv/extende...components.html, click on List of Excluded Components (http://www.toyotafinancial.com/pyv/extende...ponents_nc.html).

I don't see the MFD listed as excluded components. It should be covered under the Platinum Warranty. Your service rep is BSing you. Platinum covers lot more than power train.

IsrAmeriPrius · 06-27-2007, 05:23 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Trillion @ Jun 27 2007, 12:59 PM) [snapback]469004[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Yes, I have an extended Platinum Warranty. Service rep told me it only covers the power train. [/b]

He is wrong. It is covered by the Toyota extended warranty. It is not on the List of Excluded Components.

Quote:

Note: Platinum protection covers virtually all components on new vehicles. If your new vehicle's component does not appear on our List of Excluded Component, it is covered by Platinum protection.[/b]

acdii · 06-28-2007, 10:23 AM

It could also be the wiring harness on the radio. My 07 had the display go out and the tech traced it down to a short in the connector on the back of the radio, the MFD was fine.

luiset83 · 06-28-2007, 12:11 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Hannahspip @ May 20 2007, 09:47 PM) [snapback]446364[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Is this a hardware or software problem? (snip) Most importantly, can things go from bad to worse and I or my wife get stranded someplace?
[/b]

AFAIK the intermittent issue with the MFD is a wiring issue.. as a test... try turning up the A/C to the warmest possible (obviously not with you in the car, heh)... the MFD should work fine then. The reverse (max cold) will most likely have it malfunctioning again. I saw this explanation posted here or in priusonline quite a while ago when it happened to me at 36k-ish. I had purchased the extended warranty, and the replacement was covered by it.

As far as getting stranded... no concern with that.

Hannahspip · 07-01-2007, 10:40 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Trillion @ Jun 27 2007, 02:59 PM) [snapback]469004[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

I just encountered same problem in my 04 at about 75K. It happened just as I was leaving the dealership after my routine service, so I thought they might have missed a re-connection somewhere. At first the service rep said they couldn't replicate my problem. I told them to try driving the car around. I assume they did this because after a while they called and said they saw the problem but COULD NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT EXCEPT REPLACE THE UNIT AT $4,200. The serice rep (Micheal Dong at City Toyota in Daly City, CA) told me he would try asking Toyota for a "goodwill" assistance under which they'd replace the faulty console with a refurb for around $500.00. I was still upset by this, although compared to $4,200 it seemed at least do-able. Got a call from Mr. Dong saying Toyota was not going for the "goodwill assistance" he had mentioned.
I don't plan on taking this one sitting down. My husband did some online research for me and found this to be a recurring problem in the 04's. This is not a part that "wears down" like brakes

. If enough folks are having this issue, Toyota ought to have some protocol besides trying to sell a $4,200 part. Who would go for that? My husband and I drive Toyotas because they are known for quality and customer service. I am very dissapointed. Would like to hear any advice. Yes, I have an extended Platinum Warranty. Service rep told me it only covers the power train.
[/b]

Hannahspip · 07-01-2007, 11:11 PM

I've called my dealer. He said that the refurbished screens are no longer avaiable. He also said that Toyota has offered to discount the cost so that the replacement would "only" cost about $2,000. I agree with trillion that this it is completely unreasonable of Toyota to charge 10 or 20% of the cost of a new Prius to replace a part that had a manufacturer's defect when the car was delivered and just took longer than the warranty period to actually fail. I'd certainly like to help "persuade" Toyota to take a more responsible line on this issue. Is there anyone out there who knows what buttons to push to make this happen?

The tip about turning the AC up didn't work in my car. The system does work sporadically and there does seem to be a connection to the radio (it shuts off when the system comes on while driving).

I haven't taken the car to the dealer to have him check out connections. I'm not sure I think the service department is capable of doing that in a thoughtful way. Anyone know of a Toyota service department in the Boston area that has some quality electrical techs and won't overcharge me?

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05-01-2007, 08:54 PM	#1
bmillerbiop Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 7 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Has anybody encountered this? A couple days after a dealer service, my "Multi Information Display" panel intermittently freezes up, then works, then freezes up, etc. The screens still display, and things like the 5-minute interval bar graph on the Consumption screen still advances, but the real-time data is missing. Eg. the moment-by-moment bar graph doesn't change, and the mileage data is blank or frozen at the same number. The audio screen might show "Audio Off" when a CD is playing. If I can get the Climage Control screen to come up, the buttons are unresponsive - or the screen doesn't appear at all, but instead there's a message "Check the connection of the air conditioner". Then 15-20 minutes later, everything is working again, and the mileage and fuel economy appear accurate, as tho it is continuing to calculate properly all along. Even when acting up, the climate and audio controls still work from the steering wheel and lower dash. Think maybe some electrical plug got knocked loose when changing the cabin air filter or some such thing? I don't want the dealer to tell me I need a new $3000 computer! Thanks in advance! -Bill

05-01-2007, 09:38 PM	#2
efusco Troll Slayer Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Nixa, MO Posts: 17,242 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: Package: #9 Thanks: 49 Thanked 254 Times in 153 Posts Friends: 37	You need a new $3000 display.... Ok, depending upon what service was performed they could have knocked a plug loose..and that should be checked. And the $3000 display should only be about $400 as a refurb. And, if you're still within the 3 yr/36k warranty OR if you have the extended warranty it should be covered. But, more than likely, your display is going bad and needs to be replaced....welcome to the club.

05-20-2007, 09:47 PM	#3
Hannahspip Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 6 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	To be clear on the context: I have an '04 Prius with 81,000 + miles on it (don't know the package # - its pretty basic, though); have had regular service done exclusively at the dealer where I bought the car; recently had the water pump replaced at their suggestion; When I took the car yesterday the screen was acting up as you fellahs have described: no current data on the consumption screen, no access to the climate controls - check A/C message - but the steering wheel buttons seem to still work, no access to the audio screen - says Audio is off - but, again, the steering wheel buttons and the hard buttons on the dash seem to work, as does the radio itself; sometimes spontaneously turns itself off but comes right back on when I push the button on the dash. The MFD occasionally works properly and then freezes up again. I gather that this is not an unknown problem and that I may be able to get Toyota to help with the fix or at least get my dealer to turn it from a $4,000 fix into a $400 refurb. There seems to be some feeling out there that this should be a recall but it hasn't happened yet. Am I missing anything? Any further suggestions? Is this a hardware or software problem? Is there some secret way to do a reset on the software? Should I mess around trying connections first? Most importantly, can things go from bad to worse and I or my wife get stranded someplace?

06-27-2007, 03:59 PM	#4
Trillion Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 1 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	I just encountered same problem in my 04 at about 75K. It happened just as I was leaving the dealership after my routine service, so I thought they might have missed a re-connection somewhere. At first the service rep said they couldn't replicate my problem. I told them to try driving the car around. I assume they did this because after a while they called and said they saw the problem but COULD NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT EXCEPT REPLACE THE UNIT AT $4,200. The serice rep (Micheal Dong at City Toyota in Daly City, CA) told me he would try asking Toyota for a "goodwill" assistance under which they'd replace the faulty console with a refurb for around $500.00. I was still upset by this, although compared to $4,200 it seemed at least do-able. Got a call from Mr. Dong saying Toyota was not going for the "goodwill assistance" he had mentioned. I don't plan on taking this one sitting down. My husband did some online research for me and found this to be a recurring problem in the 04's. This is not a part that "wears down" like brakes . If enough folks are having this issue, Toyota ought to have some protocol besides trying to sell a $4,200 part. Who would go for that? My husband and I drive Toyotas because they are known for quality and customer service. I am very dissapointed. Would like to hear any advice. Yes, I have an extended Platinum Warranty. Service rep told me it only covers the power train.

06-27-2007, 05:18 PM	#5
ScottY Senior Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 1,249 My Car: 2005 Prius Model: Package: #3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts Friends: 1	From this page, http://www.toyotafinancial.com/pyv/extende...components.html, click on List of Excluded Components (http://www.toyotafinancial.com/pyv/extende...ponents_nc.html). I don't see the MFD listed as excluded components. It should be covered under the Platinum Warranty. Your service rep is BSing you. Platinum covers lot more than power train.

06-28-2007, 10:23 AM	#7
acdii Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 591 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 12 Thanked 16 Times in 11 Posts Friends: 0	It could also be the wiring harness on the radio. My 07 had the display go out and the tech traced it down to a short in the connector on the back of the radio, the MFD was fine.

07-01-2007, 11:11 PM	#10
Hannahspip Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 6 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	I've called my dealer. He said that the refurbished screens are no longer avaiable. He also said that Toyota has offered to discount the cost so that the replacement would "only" cost about $2,000. I agree with trillion that this it is completely unreasonable of Toyota to charge 10 or 20% of the cost of a new Prius to replace a part that had a manufacturer's defect when the car was delivered and just took longer than the warranty period to actually fail. I'd certainly like to help "persuade" Toyota to take a more responsible line on this issue. Is there anyone out there who knows what buttons to push to make this happen? The tip about turning the AC up didn't work in my car. The system does work sporadically and there does seem to be a connection to the radio (it shuts off when the system comes on while driving). I haven't taken the car to the dealer to have him check out connections. I'm not sure I think the service department is capable of doing that in a thoughtful way. Anyone know of a Toyota service department in the Boston area that has some quality electrical techs and won't overcharge me?