knob costs $700 to replace?

infael · 01-23-2008, 11:05 AM

Jimbok suggested I visit you guys re a problem I have with my shift knob.

With my 04 Prius, I could shift to D or R then let go and the knob would move back to its starting position. I just drove the car and the knob now stays where it is when I shift, rather than moving back to its original position. Liberty Toyota said the problem is due to an internal failure and will cost almost $700 to replace, including labor. It's a sealed unit and can't be disassembled. The car could stop working if I don't replace the sealed unit.

etyler88 · 01-23-2008, 11:23 AM

Two words. Salvage yard. Save a ton of money and get the part from a salvage yard and have a nondealer repair shop do the work.

hyo silver · 01-23-2008, 11:26 AM

I'd be tempted to try a shot of lubricant to see if that helps.

infael · 01-23-2008, 12:07 PM

I'm not a car guy so...

1) Would a salvage yard actually have that sealed unit? How would I explain what I'm looking for?

2) hyo silver: I assume you mean lube the sealed unit? Liberty did say the knob was making popping sounds. Where can I find instructions for getting to the sealed unit?

Many thanks guys!

infael

nmrickie · 01-23-2008, 12:18 PM

Here's one offered on e-bay:

eBay Motors: TOYOTA PRIUS SHIFTER SHIFT SYSTEM OEM HYBRID SILVER (item 190177371957 end time Feb-21-08 14:52:06 PST)

JimboK · 01-23-2008, 12:22 PM

Acknowledging I'm nothing close to a Prius tech, I told Infael that I found it hard to believe that, if the only problem was the shift lever assembly, it would cost $700 to replace. Since Prius shifting is a "by-wire" function, my assumption based on the symptoms is that the assembly itself, easily accessed by removing dash panels and presumably a simple mechanical device, would be a rather straightforward and not-too-expensive replacement. Of course I've been wrong before.

I'm interested in hearing what Galaxee's DH and others who work on the car have to say.

**efusco** · 01-23-2008, 12:23 PM

Should be very much a plug-and-play item. There are dash disassebly instructions all over the internet and this site for the Prius...take out the old, install the new, and pocket the $580 you save.

hyo silver · 01-23-2008, 12:31 PM

I was thinking if it was only sticking a bit, then a quick shot of lube might help free it up. But if it's already making 'popping noises', it's too late for that.

Guy in WNY · 01-23-2008, 12:34 PM

THERE IS ONE HERE FOR $89.00!!!

Home > eBay Stores > XVIPERS1 > TOYOTA PRIUS PARTS
Darn caps lock!

Sorry about the bold and weird formatting; I cut and pasted over from that web site.
Guy in WNY

etyler88 · 01-23-2008, 12:37 PM

This place should be helpful, good personel service.

04 and newer Prius Parts Cars

01-23-2008, 11:05 AM	#1
infael Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Colorado Springs Posts: 4 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	knob costs $700 to replace? Jimbok suggested I visit you guys re a problem I have with my shift knob. With my 04 Prius, I could shift to D or R then let go and the knob would move back to its starting position. I just drove the car and the knob now stays where it is when I shift, rather than moving back to its original position. Liberty Toyota said the problem is due to an internal failure and will cost almost $700 to replace, including labor. It's a sealed unit and can't be disassembled. The car could stop working if I don't replace the sealed unit.

01-23-2008, 11:23 AM	#2
etyler88 etyler88 Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Dover, DE Posts: 450 My Car: 2005 Prius Model: Package: #3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 1	Re: knob costs $700 to replace? Two words. Salvage yard. Save a ton of money and get the part from a salvage yard and have a nondealer repair shop do the work.

01-23-2008, 12:07 PM	#4
infael Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Colorado Springs Posts: 4 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Re: knob costs $700 to replace? I'm not a car guy so... 1) Would a salvage yard actually have that sealed unit? How would I explain what I'm looking for? 2) hyo silver: I assume you mean lube the sealed unit? Liberty did say the knob was making popping sounds. Where can I find instructions for getting to the sealed unit? Many thanks guys! infael

01-23-2008, 12:18 PM	#5
nmrickie Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: New Mexico Posts: 187 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: Package: N/A Thanks: 1 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts Friends: 0	Re: knob costs $700 to replace? Here's one offered on e-bay: eBay Motors: TOYOTA PRIUS SHIFTER SHIFT SYSTEM OEM HYBRID SILVER (item 190177371957 end time Feb-21-08 14:52:06 PST) Last edited by nmrickie; 01-23-2008 at 12:21 PM.

01-23-2008, 12:22 PM	#6
JimboK One owner, low mileage Join Date: May 2006 Location: Chesterfield, VA Posts: 2,817 My Car: 2005 Prius Model: Package: #2 Thanks: 14 Thanked 170 Times in 119 Posts Friends: 6	Re: knob costs $700 to replace? Acknowledging I'm nothing close to a Prius tech, I told Infael that I found it hard to believe that, if the only problem was the shift lever assembly, it would cost $700 to replace. Since Prius shifting is a "by-wire" function, my assumption based on the symptoms is that the assembly itself, easily accessed by removing dash panels and presumably a simple mechanical device, would be a rather straightforward and not-too-expensive replacement. Of course I've been wrong before. I'm interested in hearing what Galaxee's DH and others who work on the car have to say. __________________ Jim Click here for car details. Last edited by JimboK; 01-23-2008 at 12:24 PM.

01-23-2008, 11:26 AM	#3
hyo silver awaaay Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 14,838 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: Package: Base Thanks: 648 Thanked 1,126 Times in 775 Posts Friends: 89	I'd be tempted to try a shot of lubricant to see if that helps.

01-23-2008, 12:23 PM	#7
efusco Troll Slayer Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Nixa, MO Posts: 19,618 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: Package: #9 Thanks: 215 Thanked 870 Times in 505 Posts Friends: 47	Re: knob costs $700 to replace? Should be very much a plug-and-play item. There are dash disassebly instructions all over the internet and this site for the Prius...take out the old, install the new, and pocket the $580 you save.

01-23-2008, 12:31 PM	#8
hyo silver awaaay Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 14,838 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: Package: Base Thanks: 648 Thanked 1,126 Times in 775 Posts Friends: 89	I was thinking if it was only sticking a bit, then a quick shot of lube might help free it up. But if it's already making 'popping noises', it's too late for that.

01-23-2008, 12:34 PM	#9
Guy in WNY Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Western New York Posts: 75 My Car: 2007 Prius Model: Package: Base Thanks: 3 Thanked 5 Times in 4 Posts Friends: 0	Re: knob costs $700 to replace? THERE IS ONE HERE FOR $89.00!!! Home > eBay Stores > XVIPERS1 > TOYOTA PRIUS PARTS Darn caps lock! Sorry about the bold and weird formatting; I cut and pasted over from that web site. Guy in WNY

01-23-2008, 12:37 PM	#10
etyler88 etyler88 Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Dover, DE Posts: 450 My Car: 2005 Prius Model: Package: #3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 1	Re: knob costs $700 to replace? This place should be helpful, good personel service. 04 and newer Prius Parts Cars