help! Broken down Prius in Mexico

vecino · 08-06-2008, 01:09 PM

My 2005 Prius (the only car I have ever loved) gave me an error message ABS telling me to get to a level place to reset the brake. There are no level places in San Miguel de Allende. It wouldn't turn off, and the battery ran totally out.

I had thought the Toyota dealer in Queretaro would work on hybrids, but I was told they don't sell them, work on them, or honor the warranty. Is my only solution to drive to the border and sell it? We live permanently here and have no plans to return to the US.

mingoglia · 08-06-2008, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vecino

My 2005 Prius (the only car I have ever loved) gave me an error message ABS telling me to get to a level place to reset the brake. There are no level places in San Miguel de Allende. It wouldn't turn off, and the battery ran totally out.

I had thought the Toyota dealer in Queretaro would work on hybrids, but I was told they don't sell them, work on them, or honor the warranty. Is my only solution to drive to the border and sell it? We live permanently here and have no plans to return to the US.

Is it possible to have it towed to a border town with a Toyota dealership?

**efusco** · 08-06-2008, 01:59 PM

Ran which battery down?
Why couldn't you shut off...what happened, what did you try? did you disconnect the 12v battery to try to shut it down? Did you try pulling the dome fuse? Did you try holding in the start button continuously for 10 seconds?

Were you experiencing any abnormalities prior to the error code?
Do you have access to a tool to pull the codes from the CAN-bus?
What happens now when you try to start up?

ranchogirl · 08-06-2008, 08:03 PM

Have it towed to the dealership where you bought your car or call around to different dealerships that will work on them. I don't know where in Mexico you are, but I'd bet that dealerships in larger cities will be more likely to be willing to work on it.

BTW, they ALL have to honor the warranty if they are a franchised dealership (which it is if it has "Toyota" in the name). Doesn't mean they know how to fix it, though.

rfruth · 08-06-2008, 08:22 PM

Prius = new school - Mexico = old school (wouldn't mind living there) but a Corolla is high tech there so sell the Prius & get a old F150

tochatihu · 08-06-2008, 09:45 PM

I'm guessing that the 12 volt battery is discharged, and temporarily you can use any other 12 volt battery (that size or larger) to start the car. Be very careful to connect the polarity correctly!

If it cannot be driven and there is no local repair, then I suppose you have to think about a flat-bed truck to Queretaro. If not there, then Mexico City.

Buena suerte and let us know your progress.

08-06-2008, 01:09 PM	#1
vecino Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: san miguel de allende mexico Posts: 1 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: #5 Touring Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	help! Broken down Prius in Mexico My 2005 Prius (the only car I have ever loved) gave me an error message ABS telling me to get to a level place to reset the brake. There are no level places in San Miguel de Allende. It wouldn't turn off, and the battery ran totally out. I had thought the Toyota dealer in Queretaro would work on hybrids, but I was told they don't sell them, work on them, or honor the warranty. Is my only solution to drive to the border and sell it? We live permanently here and have no plans to return to the US.

08-06-2008, 01:59 PM	#3
efusco Troll Slayer Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Nixa, MO Posts: 12,824 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: #9 Nominated 1 Time in 1 Post TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 20	Re: help! Broken down Prius in Mexico Ran which battery down? Why couldn't you shut off...what happened, what did you try? did you disconnect the 12v battery to try to shut it down? Did you try pulling the dome fuse? Did you try holding in the start button continuously for 10 seconds? Were you experiencing any abnormalities prior to the error code? Do you have access to a tool to pull the codes from the CAN-bus? What happens now when you try to start up?

08-06-2008, 08:03 PM	#4
ranchogirl Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Southern California Posts: 189 My Car: 2008 Prius Package: #6 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 1	Re: help! Broken down Prius in Mexico Have it towed to the dealership where you bought your car or call around to different dealerships that will work on them. I don't know where in Mexico you are, but I'd bet that dealerships in larger cities will be more likely to be willing to work on it. BTW, they ALL have to honor the warranty if they are a franchised dealership (which it is if it has "Toyota" in the name). Doesn't mean they know how to fix it, though.

08-06-2008, 08:22 PM	#5
rfruth Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 235 My Car: Other Non-Hybrid Package: N/A Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 19	Re: help! Broken down Prius in Mexico Prius = new school - Mexico = old school (wouldn't mind living there) but a Corolla is high tech there so sell the Prius & get a old F150

08-06-2008, 09:45 PM	#6
tochatihu Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Kunming Yunnan China Posts: 1,681 My Car: 2001 Prius Package: Pioneer #1 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 5	Re: help! Broken down Prius in Mexico I'm guessing that the 12 volt battery is discharged, and temporarily you can use any other 12 volt battery (that size or larger) to start the car. Be very careful to connect the polarity correctly! If it cannot be driven and there is no local repair, then I suppose you have to think about a flat-bed truck to Queretaro. If not there, then Mexico City. Buena suerte and let us know your progress.

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