2004 Prius Help!

Hi All,

So my family has had a 2004 Toyota Prius for over a few months now, the car is in great condition, from the exterior to the interior. Now, there are some problems in the car, that I wanted to see what the possible issues can be.

1. Key Fobs - The key fob that we have (we have two), one of them works, the other doesn't. The one that works, it is only good enough to simply start the car (when we insert it into the slot). The other fob doesn't even do anything, it can't turn on the car, even after putting in a battery in the fob itself. Both fobs can not unlock, lock, nor put on the car alarm. I ran did the diagnostic test by checking the 12V battery, but it showed normal numbers, nothing bad from there. I think this could be a programming issue? Any idea how much repairing this can cost? FYI, I am 100% sure this car has the Smart Key System embedded in the car, it has the black buttons around the car, so I am assuming this could be a programming issue? (This Prius has the JBL speakers and GPS, if that makes any difference).

2. Since this is a 2004 Model, it has both a cassette, and 6-disc CD Changer. The cassette system works just fine, bu the 6-disk CD changer doesn't even eject nor allow us to insert a disc. Any idea on what I can do to diagnose this problem?

3. Brakes - My father had done a brake job on the car, and it seems fine, but I personally feel like (comparing this to my 2007 Prius) when I brake on the car, I kind of have to push a bit further for the car to slow down. Now, my father installed the brakes properly, but I was wondering if there is something special for a regular brake job on a Prius? It does brake, but having to press a little harder on the brake pedal, compared to my 2007 Prius (which again, could be because this is an 2004?)

Other than that, this car drives fine, we changed the oil just a week ago (apparently, the previous owner claimed he changed the oil few months before we bought it, but the oil was extremely thick... so not sure what other bluffs he was able to squeeze in as the time of sale). The car gets great gas mileage, and has no error codes on it either.

As always, I appreciate any help I can get here!

 

Hmm, Bump? Really appreciate any help I can get on this!

 

Sorry I am responding to this now, I for some reason didn't get an alert

I am assuming the disc changer issue is just unique to the part, and would probably require physical dis assembly to figure out what the issue is?

As for the brakes, when I press harder, I literally mean I have to press the brake pedal a bit harder for the car to slow down, versus in my other Prius where once I slowly press on the brake pedal the car starts slowing down. I will give the rotor surfaces a look though.

As for the key fob with the unlock/lock issues, any idea on what could be the cause of the problem? Is this something only a dealer would be able to figure out?

 

1. I do have a volt meter! I ran this test a month ago:

It checked out exactly as it is supposed to, not sure if it can be something else?

2. I will look into how to disconnect the 12V Battery, I am assuming this is the same battery that is behind the tail light?

3. Prius Brakes - any idea on the cost for the "bleeding"? It also sounds like doing a Brake job by myself is complex with this car?

 

I have a Bluetooth OBD2 and use Torque app with all the Prius codes added onto it, is that enough? But you also mentioned that I would than get service capability like programming the key fobs, brake bleeding and what not? Just want to make sure I understand that correctly, otherwise I do have an OBD2 Bluetooth connector along with the Torque App.

Thanks!

 

Ah. The car is currently away from me, but I will plug out the 12V battery when it is back with me again. Is the brake bleeding something I can do myself? Also, are there ways that I can find out if there are any problems?

 

WOAH, that is absolutely awesome! I do have a laptop, any tutorial and resources on using the software? Also, how much and where can I find the VCI device?

 

Thank You! If I can program the keys and so on, I can probably save my self over $500 instead of going to the dealer, no? This is REALLY exciting!

 

So I found this:

I assume that is the correct product, correct? I am also assuming the software is Windows only?

Secondly - When I reprogram the keyfobs, is it as simple as leaving the key inside the slot, and program the fob itself via the software? I was watching a video where a person does this on his Toyota Highlander.

And lastly, lets say if I have another Prius remote, but the physical key doesn't match the car, can the key fob itself still be programmed, and instead buy the physical key elsewhere and have my normal locksmith make a copy of the key?

This is beyond exciting stuff!

 

Ah okay. On my 2007 Prius, I was trying to pair a non-SKS remote to the car via the Chicken method, I was only able to start the car, not remotely lock the car and turn on its alarm. But I am assuming that since one of the fob already turns on the car, I should be able to program the rest of the car to allow lock and unlock ability? I also assume since it has SKS ability, it should allow all of that functionality as well?

Anywho, I do have a Windows laptop, and I got the VCI.