Common 2G Problems, and What to Do About Them...

[priusorcorolla]

If there is a TSB (technical service bulletin) for the issue you've described, will the dealer do the work if it is beyond the powertrain warranty period / mileage? What about for other dealers?

Thanks.

--

Originally Posted by dogfriend

Problem: Symptom(s): Pump makes a high pitched, stuttering noise a few seconds after startup as it pumps hot coolant from the storage thermos to the cylinder head. Most likely to occur when the outside temperatures are cool or cold. Sometimes occurs on shutdown as the pump stores coolant in the thermos bottle.
Frequency: Intermittent, depending on outside temps.
Solution: Replace the Coolant Heat Storage Pump. There is a TSB on ..

Problem: Running out of fuel
Symptom: ICE stops running. Usually preceded by flashing PIP on instrument panel and "Add Fuel" message on MFD.
Frequency: Seems to happen to a lot of new owners and/or people that are convinced that because they got 500 miles on the last tank, they will get 500 miles on the current tank.
Solution: Learn to treat the gas gauge reading with some healthy skepticism and fill with fuel before you ever see the flashing PIP.

[Mike Dimmick]

Originally Posted by priusorcorolla

If there is a TSB (technical service bulletin) for the issue you've described, will the dealer do the work if it is beyond the powertrain warranty period / mileage? What about for other dealers?

A TSB is simply an advice note sent round to the dealers, a supplement to the repair manual, listing known problems and how to resolve them, or guidance in how to do something. It isn't a call to the dealers to do that thing on every car they see. Warranty will only cover the work if the part fails.

You're perhaps thinking of a Special Service Campaign, which is a euphemism for a recall.

[dogfriend]

Originally Posted by priusorcorolla

If there is a TSB (technical service bulletin) for the issue you've described, will the dealer do the work if it is beyond the powertrain warranty period / mileage? What about for other dealers?

Thanks.

--

As Mike explained, a TSB is additional info that is available to the dealers after the manuals were completed. Toyota always states the applicable warranty coverage as part of the TSB. The dealer doesn't have any obligation to do the work after the applicable warranty has expired.

I don't know about all other manufacturers, but Ford also states the warranty coverage on TSBs and they even give the standard labor times and a list of parts required.

[richard schumacher]

Originally Posted by priusorcorolla

If there is a TSB (technical service bulletin) for the issue you've described, will the dealer do the work if it is beyond the powertrain warranty period / mileage?

They will be happy to do it, if you pay them :_> Nominally, Toyota will pay for the work only during (and maybe for a short period after) the warranty period.

But! If you take the car to a dealer during the warranty period and complain about the problem, even if they cannot reproduce or verify the problem they will log it; if it manifests later outside of the warranty period Toyota will pay for it. This is especially handy for the notoriously intermittent coolant transfer pump squeal. You may get stuck paying the dealer's diagnostic fee, but that's much less than the entire repair.

[anitabolduc]

My dash lights go off when my headlights are turned on.

[Patrick Wong]

Originally Posted by anitabolduc

My dash lights go off when my headlights are turned on.

Find the dashboard lighting dimmer control to the left of the steering column, and adjust it so that the dashboard lighting meets your needs. If that control doesn't work, then a visit to your dealer is in order.

[Poetg65]

Patrick,
In the past two months I've had to replace the valve stems on three tires. Actually, my most recent issue is a neccessary replacement on the same valve stem/tire as one I replaced last month. I followed an earlier(older) thread on this website citing/describing this issue, and some members mentioned a recall. (?) I own a 2006.
I also replaced the original tires about 2 summers ago. When I had to get these valves replaced, it was explained to me that the original tires were equipped with inflation sensors. I am guessing the new tires I had installed are not similarily equipped. I don't know if this makes a difference...

I would just like to know if you have any ideas/suggestions why the valve stems literally keep splitting open?

[Stepho84]

Problem: Car loses power. Master warning light (red triangle) appears. Brake and VSC lights may appear.
Symptoms: See above
Frequency: After car has been driven for a while, especially in hot weather
Diagnostic: DTC P0A93, Inverter Cooling Performance
Cure: Replace inverter coolant pump
Other information/Alternate diagnosis possible: This is a popular reason for Prius to stop dead, usually in hot summer weather. We've seen a sufficient number of inverter coolant pump failures so I would say that if you have more than 100K miles logged and you wish to keep your car in top condition, consider replacing this pump now as a preventive maintenance move.

I believe I just encountered this on my 2007 two days ago. The car shut down while I was pulling out of the parking space at the dentist. While in traffic, the ! light and the VSC lights blared in my face. The accelerator shuddered and the car barely rode at 10mph. I eventually got into my driveway but not without someone pushing me down the street and up into the driveway.

Toyota dealer said both the 12V was dead at the hybrd battery was drained 86%. I use the car everyday and rarely have it sit for long periods of time. They recharged the batteries for me, charged $252, then sent me on my way. 1 mile away from the dealer, the battery bars dropped from 5 to 2 (even though it was JUST charged) and the check engine light turned on. As I stared at my two bars while stuck at a redlight, I noticed my engine wasn't kicking on to recharge. So, I quickly made my way back to the dealer. They're going to look into the problem tomorrow morning. I just found this thread and think it may be the same problem my car has. Ironically, my car only has 45,000 miles not 100k.

Anyone else get these symptoms with less mileage?

[morpheusx]

Originally Posted by Stepho84

I believe I just encountered this on my 2007 two days ago. The car shut down while I was pulling out of the parking space at the dentist. While in traffic, the ! light and the VSC lights blared in my face. The accelerator shuddered and the car barely rode at 10mph. I eventually got into my driveway but not without someone pushing me down the street and up into the driveway.

Toyota dealer said both the 12V was dead at the hybrd battery was drained 86%. I use the car everyday and rarely have it sit for long periods of time. They recharged the batteries for me, charged $252, then sent me on my way. 1 mile away from the dealer, the battery bars dropped from 5 to 2 (even though it was JUST charged) and the check engine light turned on. As I stared at my two bars while stuck at a redlight, I noticed my engine wasn't kicking on to recharge. So, I quickly made my way back to the dealer. They're going to look into the problem tomorrow morning. I just found this thread and think it may be the same problem my car has. Ironically, my car only has 45,000 miles not 100k.

Anyone else get these symptoms with less mileage?

are you sure the car isn't out of gas

[richard schumacher]

Also have the dealer specifically check the 12V battery.