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Please help me troubleshoot

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Mole_Man, Oct 2, 2014.

  1. Mole_Man

    Mole_Man New Member

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    Hello, Ive came to this site a few times in the past but never had to post anything as someone esle had always had the same problem and I was able to used previous posts to solve my issue. Thanks in advance and you all do a really great job helping each other out.

    Now my issue. Ive got a Gen2 pruis 07, bought it used, in 2012, never had my issuses with it until now. the car has 81k miles, Recently I had both wheel hubs (front)replaced and replaced both struts(front) and both stablizer links (front). I paid a mechanic to do the work for me. Sadly the guy died, 3 hrs after finishing my car. The issue is my ABS, VSC, (!) lights are on (yellow color) and my brake light is also on (red color). Finally my speedmeter stays at zero, everything esle on the dashboard works.

    Since this guy is dead, what are some things I can do to troubleshoot the issue. Ive read that I should invest in a scangague, It seems to be a great investment. Can someone suggest a good model, whats the difference between the models. What model do the mechanics at totoyta dealership use.

    I should have just went to the dealership to get this work done. Lesson hard learned. In the end, I am assuming the worse but I'd like to have a rough estimate of how much I would have to pay to get this issue fixed if I can detemine what needs to be done.
     
    #1 Mole_Man, Oct 2, 2014
  2. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    This is right out of the Twilight Zone
     
    #2 JC91006, Oct 2, 2014
  3. The Electric Me

    The Electric Me Go Speed Go!

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    Well not to make light of the passing of another individual.
    But you obviously can't go back to the original mechanic.

    And if you were a big DIY person, my guess is you wouldn't of paid someone else to do all this in the first place.

    You've got a LOT of symptoms.

    How much of the actual "fixing" of the vehicle can you attempt? How much are you willing to do?
    If you want to attempt what could be a lot of herculean work? Then I suppose investing into a scan gauge might be a good investment.

    If you're just going to end up taking it to another mechanic or dealership? Then you might just pass GO.

    Were these lights on immediately after getting your vehicle back? Or did they appear some time later?
    Have you tried simply resetting? IE: disconnecting the 12vlt and reconnecting? There are threads on this.

    Aside from the untimely passing of your mechanic, I think that's the risk in taking a Hybrid and Prius to a mechanic that might not be as familiar with the oddities and intricacies of the machine.

    But you are in a position where it is impossible to give the mechanic a second chance to fix it, nor discuss with him EXACTLY what he did or did not do.
    I kind of think an expensive trip to the dealership might be the shortest road to solving the problem.
     
    #3 The Electric Me, Oct 2, 2014
  4. HaroldW

    HaroldW Active Member

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    I would take it to a dealer! You could try removing the ground cable from the 12v for a good min.. This may reset things. Probably worth a try. I don't think a scan gauge will help you. H
     
    #4 HaroldW, Oct 2, 2014
  5. Mole_Man

    Mole_Man New Member

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    Well Im up to a few try a handful of things. Anything I cant try/attempt, Its good to have some kind of idea of what the problem could be. the lights came on seconds after the car was turned on.

    The the ABS wire is damaged would all these lights come on anyway?
     
    #5 Mole_Man, Oct 2, 2014
  6. Britprius

    Britprius Senior Member

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    Wiring damage to or badly fitted wheel sensors will cause all of your problems. These would have to be removed to change the bearing hubs. Even small metal chips stuck to the end of the magnetic wheel sensors can cause this. The best and cheapest service tool is a Mini VCI with Techstream "about $25 from Ebay" and an old preferably XP laptop. This is virtually dealer level of diagnostics.

    John (Britprius)
     
    #6 Britprius, Oct 2, 2014
  7. Mole_Man

    Mole_Man New Member

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    So the ABS wire aslo controls the speedometer. Im asking because it stays at zero. Lets say it is the abs wire thats messed up. Is there a way to check it each sensor.
     
    #7 Mole_Man, Oct 2, 2014
  8. jdcollins5

    jdcollins5 Senior Member

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    Each wheel hub has a speed sensor that is used by both ABS and speedometer. As Britprius stated you need something like a Mini VCI to monitor each sensor to determine which sensor(s) are not working correctly. One or more speed sensor will give all of your warning lights and zero speed.
     
    #8 jdcollins5, Oct 2, 2014
  9. DaneH5

    DaneH5 Member

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    There are some related posts to your problem. Suggestion was to clear codes. Have you tried that yet?
     
    #9 DaneH5, Oct 2, 2014
  10. exstudent

    exstudent Senior Member

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    Shouldn't this wire be replacedfirst if it is "damaged," then check/clear codes?
     
    #10 exstudent, Oct 3, 2014
  11. DaneH5

    DaneH5 Member

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    If damaged it needs to be fixed. OP didn't say it was, only 'if' it was would lights come on.
    From reading other posts with same symptoms after some sort of work done (like hubs) , clearing the codes was recommended.
     
    #11 DaneH5, Oct 3, 2014
  12. Britprius

    Britprius Senior Member

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    Your problem is that you do not know if the wire is damaged or on what side. If there is obvious damage then yes replace or repair that wire, but often it is the sensor that is the problem. Removing the sensors and checking physical damage would be my first action then look down the holes that that they are fitted in to make sure they are clear of obstruction. There is a metal dust shield that has to be removed and refitted when the hubs are replaced. This has a small cut out for the sensors and if not fitted correctly will cover the sensor.

    John (Britprius)
     
    #12 Britprius, Oct 3, 2014
  13. DaneH5

    DaneH5 Member

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    Search for things like OBD2 4 and 13, brake codes and VSC ABS lights.
     
    #13 DaneH5, Oct 3, 2014
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