Bought 2004 Prius and Won't Start Now

what is the vin# on your car? You can look up the service history at the Toyota website, under the owners portal. Hopefully that'll shed some answers to your problems.

The car probably has multiple issues. You not being able to start the car is a big issue. The reason it starts after you unplug the battery is because the entire car's system resets itself and erases what's in memory. After the car starts and you drive it, the car will log the DTC error and won't allow you to start it again until you disconnect the battery again. The reason the autoshop can't pull a code is because everytime you disconnect the battery, the codes go away until the car ECU logs them again.

The dash not lighting up can be a combination meter fault, there might be a warranty from Toyota to cover that. However based on your car's year and mileage, I'm not sure if it'll be in effect.

 

Mileage doesn't matter, just that its been in service less than 9 years. I'm not sure when its considered to be in service, but probably all '04 and most '05 are disqualified by now.

When my combination meter died, the car started and drove just fine, only issue was I couldn't see how fast I was going. I also had to hold the power button down for several seconds to get it to turn off.

When did you buy it? Was there any kind of warranty or guarantee? How long was the car off when you checked the 12v battery voltage? It needs several hours for the charge to level out (even a pretty dead one will show acceptable numbers right after turning off the car).

 

This car is not something your average mechanic will have the expertise to fix. There are many computers that monitors the car and will require a minivci and techstream software to diagnose the car's problem codes.

If the seller truly has a mechanic friend that's knowledgeable, the car would not have ended up at the dealer in March for the master cylinder replacement.

I'm suspecting the car has other issues that can only be addressed if the codes are pulled when they surface again. That will give you a better indication of what you're up against.

SM-N900P ?

 

Combination Meter Warranty Enhancement Notice for 2004 to certain 2009 model year Prius vehicles:
9 years with no mileage limitation from the date of first use (interpreted as when did first owner buy the Prius) or before September 30, 2013, whichever is longer.

2004 Prius + 9 additional years = 2013; out of extended warranty coverage.
If the first owner purchased in December 2004, 9 years later would be December 2013.
Possible first owner purchased sometime in 2005 too? If so, you might still be in luck. You will have to find out when.
If out of luck, beg/plead w/ a Toyota dealership and Toyota Customer Care to give you a break on being over by 5 months (using December 2004 in the example above).
Best case scenario-100% covered.
2nd best-Toyota covers part, you pay for labor but at the cheaper warranty rate.

 

For what it's worth, this problem first occurred to me 3 weeks past the 9-year mark on my 2005, in early December. I scheduled it in at the dealer, and after checking with corporate they ultimately declined to grace me in under the extended warranty. Begging and pleading with Toyota Corporate didn't change anything for me. I'm still occasionally driving with no instruments when this problem rears its head.