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VCS, ABS and ((!)) Yellow sign, noise and shaking Prius 2004

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Alifeintheday, Nov 22, 2014.

  1. Alifeintheday

    Alifeintheday New Member

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    London, UK
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    II


    I was wondering if anyone could help - We bought yesterday a 2004 Prius with 73K miles. This was (unfortunately) a private sale. When my husband drove back home with the car, the VCS, ABS and ((!)) yellow came on when he reached 60mph and above. He also noticed a lot of noise when accelerating and the car was shaking. The noise is also there at low speed and when accelerating it is so bad and feels like something is rubbing? Clearly, we are very upset and feel like idiots for having even purchased this car!

    This morning, we decided to try the tyre pressure to see if this could be the issue. After correcting tyre pressure (it was actually very bad), the lights went off and we decided to try it on the motorway. The car was noisy to start off but as soon as we hit the motorway, the sound was getting worse and worse. I could feel my passenger seat shaking under me and the 3 lights (VCS, ABS and ((!))) came back on and stayed on until we got home.

    As anyone experienced the same thing?What was the issue in the end? We have spent all our savings in this car and can't really afford expensive repairs few days after buying it. We are just gutted. Oh and we have a 2011 Auris Hybrid with 15K that runs superb. My dad owns a Prius too and so I can tell the noise is just not normal- at the same time, perhaps a 10 yo Prius is supposed to do this noise?

    Any advice or tips would be greatly appreciated.
     
    #1 Alifeintheday, Nov 22, 2014
  2. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    Can't return it and pay a restocking fee? Maybe they'll accept it back if you pay an inconvenience fee
     
    #2 JC91006, Nov 22, 2014
  3. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    welcome to priuschat! could be the motor mounts. a reasonably inexpensive fix. i had a 2004, and they are just as smooth and quiet as the 2014's. you probably need to take it to someone with a scanner who can check for trouble codes. there are so many possibilities such as plugs, throttle body, injectors, air filter, oil level, pcv valve, the list is almost endless. all the best!(y)
     
    #3 bisco, Nov 22, 2014
  4. Alifeintheday

    Alifeintheday New Member

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    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    II
    My husband texted the guy last night and he has ignored us- As it is a private seller, there is not much else we can do except selling it back or repairing it- I was just wondering if anyone had experienced these problems and whether some of it we could fix ourselves?
     
    #4 Alifeintheday, Nov 22, 2014
  5. Alifeintheday

    Alifeintheday New Member

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    II
    Thanks Bisco - Could we fix/replace motor mounts ourselves?
     
    #5 Alifeintheday, Nov 22, 2014
  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    absolutely, if your qualified to diy the diagnosis, and have the tools.
     
    #6 bisco, Nov 22, 2014
  7. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    I would call and not text
     
    #7 JC91006, Nov 22, 2014
  8. jose13zara

    jose13zara New Member

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    Location:
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    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    Five
    Need to get the trouble codes first, but it might be the faulty hybrid side electric coolant pump that is dead, what is happening when you reach high speeds the fluid temperatures will rise but the pump is not working so is actually creating overheat and the car to protect itself from worse damage is shutting down the VSC system and that why you might feel erratic driving. In the US there is a recall for it and the Toyota dealership will repair it free but don't know there..
     
    #8 jose13zara, Nov 23, 2014
  9. nh7o

    nh7o Off grid since 1980

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    A failed inverter coolant pump would not explain the shaking. Absolutely need to get the codes read. Could be tyres, check for unusual tread wear. If the individual tyres are different from each other and are a bit iffy, that can cause enough difference in rotation at high speeds to throw the skid system warning.
     
    #9 nh7o, Nov 23, 2014
  10. ericbecky

    ericbecky Hybrid Battery Hero

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    I would get the VIN and check on the Toyota owners web site.
    Perhaps the previous owner already had it diagnosed by the dealer already and the problem is noted in Toyota's system.

    Otherwise, I would say get it to a dealer to get a proper diagnosis. Probably worth it.
    Once they identify what is wrong, come back here and we can help you determine if it is something you can tackle or next steps.

    To me this is ripe for a court case if it is something major that was not disclosed.
     
    #10 ericbecky, Nov 23, 2014
  11. Okinawa

    Okinawa Senior Member

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    You will have to head to the Toyota dealer to get your car diagnosed.
     
    #11 Okinawa, Nov 23, 2014
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