Advice - 2002 Prius

[Dragonfighter]

To Quote what I Posted in the Newbie Forum:

Hi all. I've been eyeballing the Prius since i first sat in one 8 years ago. Well, being of a "pay as you go" budget, we went looking at one car and came home with a 2002 Prius. It came in 3K below bluebook and other than the color (a periwinkle silver) it looks great.

The first thing I thought I had found is that there was no disc in the navigation system. But as I got into it today, I realized there was but it gives a read error "wrong disc" message. I had taken the unit out, disassembled it, cleaned it and restored it to its place in the car...still no joy. I entered into the secret menu to try and reset it and now am stuck in a Japanese wrong disc error screen.

Secondly, as I got into the manual and set about programming the radio, the audio button doesn't seem to work. All the other buttons do, just not that one and Toyota says there is no button replacement, just the whole stereo for $600.

Had I known more about the car I might have ferreted these things out but the dealer didn't even know half the stuff on it. So I guess the questions are these, is there an after market stereo system or nav system or a good source for salvaged parts? Better yet is there a fix for the audio button?

Soooo, with the suggestion I come down to this forum I ask the collective expertise:

Is there a fix for the audio button? The current settings are tolerable, but I would like to fix the capability of adjusting the balance and tone. BTW, every other button works.

Barring a fix, is there an aftermarket or possibly salvage source stereo option that doesn't cost $600?

Is there a similar (aftermarket or salvage) option for the navigation unit? The car sees the unit, sees that there is a disk but gives the "Unable to read..." error. I cannot access the maintenance menu with this error.

Thanks to this site, I was able to access the "secret" menu but somehow ended up on the Japanese error screen, how can I clear this?

Anyway, I am grateful to have found this site and for the helpful spirit of its members.

Thank You and God Bless,
Kyle

[statultra]

once i did the secret menu japanese thing on my 05 prius and i ended up taking out the navigation unit and im not sure i remember but there was a button / or a battery that resets it inside.

[bwilson4web]

The standard 'master reset' is to disconnect the 12 VDC battery for about 5 minutes and then reconnect it.

As for fixing electronics, I didn't find anything in the maintenance manual ... you on your own.

As for fixing the navigation unit, have you considered a Garmin nuvi?

GOOD LUCK!
Bob Wilson

[Dragonfighter]

Thanks, the battery disconnect option I like, simple, clean...

I found an entire replacement for the center panel and guts for $170 after shipping. I'll talk to the boss (wife) and see what she says. The advantage here is none of the buttons seemed to be worn where as the finish on a few of mine is. Also, my cr has a broken vane in the left vent.

The navigation system I found was around $600, so yes, the Garmin option is looking pretty attractive. And navigation after all, is a luxury. The only thing that really bugs me about the nav system is not being able to access the maintenance menu.

I am still open to any and all creative alternatives.

Thanks Again,
Kyle

[bwilson4web]

I believe the Nav interface to the display is RGB but matching resolution and sync will always be a challenge. I've seen photos of at least one Mac interfaced to the Nav screen and I understand the touch screen comes back as ASCII text via an RS-232 like interface. The hack is to replace the Nav interface with a Mac.

This is one of those 'nice to have' things that I think about and then pickup other projects that give more 'bang for the buck.' <grins>

I have not surveyed the GPS market but I suspect you might be able to find one that has RGB output. As for inputs, well that really gets interesting.

The other thought is to see about a backup camera but then we're starting to get a little beyond the pale of a casual project.

Thinking "clean sheet," I would gut the cassette slot and put in an iPod docking station. Ideally, the iPod goes in, docks, and then you pull it out and bend upright. Right now, the cassette slot is what I stick my iPod touch into with the Garmin FM encoder sticking out the bottom. There is enough access to hit the play/stop area.

GOOD LUCK!
Bob Wilson

[tochatihu]

CoastalETech offers an NHW11 backup camera with a potentially useful second video input I think. Not cheap.

[Dragonfighter]

Originally Posted by bwilson4web

This is one of those 'nice to have' things that I think about and then pickup other projects that give more 'bang for the buck.' <grins>

I would dearly love to have a Mac...period. I don't think one is forthcoming in the near future and I sure don't think I'd be tying it in, though it is a nice fantasy.

Originally Posted by bwilson4web

I have not surveyed the GPS market but I suspect you might be able to find one that has RGB output. As for inputs, well that really gets interesting.

The Garmins are getting quite reasonable and they are the same people that build the ones I (used to), and my daughter flies with. I think licking the suction cup and slapping on the windscreen is the simplest option.

My main gig with the nav system is not being able to access the maintenance menu.

Originally Posted by bwilson4web

The other thought is to see about a backup camera but then we're starting to get a little beyond the pale of a casual project.

Nah, everything just needs to stay out of my way, LOL.

Originally Posted by bwilson4web

Thinking "clean sheet," I would gut the cassette slot and put in an iPod docking station. Ideally, the iPod goes in, docks, and then you pull it out and bend upright. Right now, the cassette slot is what I stick my iPod touch into with the Garmin FM encoder sticking out the bottom. There is enough access to hit the play/stop area.

I would hear more on this. Where do you get one, about how much are they and would it replace my "Audio" button's function? Right now I'm leaning toward the center console replacement, it's less than $200.

Thank you Bob, I really appreciate the response and it gives me some food for thought. Any opinions on the EV hack?

Kyle