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ABS/VSC/Brake Light Question

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Carl LaFong, Aug 17, 2014.

  1. Carl LaFong

    Carl LaFong Junior Member

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    I'm new to this forum though I've been lurking for a while and found some great tips (e.g., headlight replacement). I've found message threads on the ABS/VSC/brake light issue and am pretty sure the solution given in one or more threads (ABS reset using the jumper for the OBD-II connector) has worked for me.

    So anyway, I'm not looking to rehash stuff that's already been discussed, but I do have a question: now that I've done the reset and the lights are no longer on, is there any follow-up action I need to take? Or is the reset all I need to do?

    If anyone wants to know, I can provide the specifics of the scenario that brought this on, but I'll save that for now.

    Thanks in advance.

    JL
     
    #1 Carl LaFong, Aug 17, 2014
  2. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    That will depend upon what was the root cause of the warning lights appearing, and whether that root cause is still present or not.
     
    #2 Patrick Wong, Aug 17, 2014
  3. Carl LaFong

    Carl LaFong Junior Member

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    Okay, then, here's how this all happened. I was due for an oil change and Just Brakes had this deal for oil change, new filter and tire rotation for about $20. So I went in and had it done. When they turned the car over to me, I almost immediately noticed that my brakes felt soft; then I noticed all the lights on the dashboard. I turned around and brought it back to the shop; they said, oh, it's nothing we did, those lights were on when you brought it in -- a bald-faced lie. I'm like, well if these lights were on, why the hell didn't you even mention it to me?

    I got no satisfaction from these idiots (moral of the story -- NEVER go to Just Brakes), so I did the search on this forum for what the lights meant and found the reset procedure. I probably should have mentioned that not only are the lights no longer on, my ABS is working fine now (no more soft brakes; ABS pumping during a hard stop).

    So as to root cause analysis, my hypothesis is that there is something that has to be done in conjunction with tire rotation on a Prius to keep these lights from coming on, and the JB morons were as clueless about this procedure as I am. Does that sound reasonable?

    JL
     
    #3 Carl LaFong, Aug 17, 2014
  4. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    I think what may have happened was that the car was left in either IG-ON or READY modes while the tire change was going on, and the tech hit a front brake caliper pretty hard with the inside of a wheel as he was removing or installing the tire. That mechanical shock caused the skid control ECU to log a DTC and the warning lights came on.

    If you don't see the lights reappear, then you are done.
     
    #4 Patrick Wong, Aug 17, 2014
  5. Carl LaFong

    Carl LaFong Junior Member

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    That pretty well fits with what I saw. The guy hit the power button once to get the vehicle mileage, and I bet he left it that way.

    Just what I wanted to hear! Thanks.

    JL
     
    #5 Carl LaFong, Aug 17, 2014
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