Multi-display/Cable Problem, Error Code B1248 - HELP!

[gordonsta]

Short Problem Description:
Today the Multi-display in my 2005 Prius went haywire. I have a couple of after market plug ins, but they have worked flawlessly since their installation over two years ago. I took it to the dealer and they came up with error Code B1248 - "AVC LAN Communication Impossible".

Detailed background:
Shortly after purchasing my 2005 Prius I added two aftermarket modules to the Multi-display. The first is the DICE iPod and the second is the Lockpick that unblocks video and audio inputs. The car has performed flawlessly since their install a number of years ago. Today I drove to a destination and parked the car for about 30 minutes. When I started the car I noticed that the Multi-display was not acting properly. I took it to the dealer and they reported that the initial tests showed an error code of B1248. They want $380 to tear into the dash and troubleshoot further. I picked up the car and brought it home. I removed the Lockpick plug-in but the symptoms were the same.

Last thoughts:
Wiring harnesses rarely just fail. Tomorrow I'm going to dig into the DICE iPod plug-in to see if possibly something there has worked loose. I would appreciate any other thoughts about what might have happened.

[vertex]

Originally Posted by gordonsta

Short Problem Description:
Today the Multi-display in my 2005 Prius went haywire. I have a couple of after market plug ins, but they have worked flawlessly since their installation over two years ago. I took it to the dealer and they came up with error Code B1248 - "AVC LAN Communication Impossible".

Detailed background:
Shortly after purchasing my 2005 Prius I added two aftermarket modules to the Multi-display. The first is the DICE iPod and the second is the Lockpick that unblocks video and audio inputs. The car has performed flawlessly since their install a number of years ago. Today I drove to a destination and parked the car for about 30 minutes. When I started the car I noticed that the Multi-display was not acting properly. I took it to the dealer and they reported that the initial tests showed an error code of B1248. They want $380 to tear into the dash and troubleshoot further. I picked up the car and brought it home. I removed the Lockpick plug-in but the symptoms were the same.

Last thoughts:
Wiring harnesses rarely just fail. Tomorrow I'm going to dig into the DICE iPod plug-in to see if possibly something there has worked loose. I would appreciate any other thoughts about what might have happened.

There are only two connections between the Gateway ECU and the MFD that can cause this problem, or the MFD is has no power. I don't know how these mods are installed. If you need the service manual pages, if you give me your email, I can email you the section.

[dogfriend]

I think its likely that something in the Dice failed. Aftermarket electronics are rarely built to the same standards as OEM. However, there is a documented issue with the MultiDisplay in some 2004 and 2005 cars due to a design error.

Prius MFD

[gordonsta]

Woo-hoo!!! Success!!! This morning I opened up the dash, unplugged the DICE iPod plug-in, powered on the car and the MFD started working properly.

Then I decided to go for broke. I powered down the car, replugged the DICE and powered on the car. Everything was still working. After powering down again, I unplugged the DICE, squirted a bit WD-40 on the contacts before reassembling everything and buttoning the dash back up. I tested it once again and everything was still good.

My last act was to reinstall the Lockpick plug-in. Everything is still working fine. Thank God for small miracles