1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

PCS Light

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by GAM, Nov 27, 2009.

  1. GAM

    GAM Australian Prius Owner

    Joined:
    Nov 27, 2009
    14
    24
    0
    Location:
    Australia
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    Hi All,
    First post, but I felt compelled to write this as I have been googling and no-one seems to have had this problem.

    Let me start by saying I am in Australia, so I am not sure whether overseas models have the same setup (we put the steering wheel on the other side to most of you guys).

    However, I have had issues with the PCS light coming on intermittently.

    Asked the dealer who had no idea, even when I took it in while the light was on. They returned it saying no fault found, no fault codes. I was assured it was a fault light.

    Anyway, to cut a long story short, I found that there is a Pre-Collision System override switch located just above the brake pedal. It seems that on a few occassions I have managed to bump the switch with my foot as it is immediately about the brake pedal with a basic "push-on / push-off" switch.

    It is likely to be more of an issue with womens pointed toe shoes ........not that I was wearing those :)

    But.....to me it is a bit of a design flaw. Very easy to turn off your pre-collision safety system by accident and then have no added benefit when you plough in to a wall.

    I will be making a cover to stick over it for future.
    GAM
     
  2. GAM

    GAM Australian Prius Owner

    Joined:
    Nov 27, 2009
    14
    24
    0
    Location:
    Australia
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    Do all regions have this button or is it a local (Australian) thing?
     
  3. Blind Guy

    Blind Guy New Member

    Joined:
    May 17, 2009
    352
    194
    0
    Location:
    Springfield Missouri
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    V
    Only the models equipped with the DRCC (Dynamic Radar Cruise Control) have the PCS (Pre-Collision System), because the Radar is the heart of the system, that being said, the U.S. Prius's are broken up into models, beginning with the II, and progressing to the III, IV and finally to the V. Each model can have packages that can be included with that model. For example, the only way to obtain the PCS, in a U.S. model, is to purchase the model V and have it equipped with the Advanced Technology Package, which includes: DRCC, LKA (Lane Keep Assist), PCS and IPA (Intelligent Park Assist). This is not based on Regions, just on which model you want, and how you want it equipped.

    The switch (on U.S. models) to deactivate the PCS, is located under the dashboard in-line with the steering column, nowhere near the footpedlas.

    David (aka Blind Guy)
     
  4. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2004
    44,767
    16,016
    41
    Location:
    Canada
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    You're not really turning it off. You're only turning off the PCS Braking System. The seatbelts will still tighten and the system will still warning you with a BRAKE! message.
     
  5. tumbleweed

    tumbleweed Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 3, 2005
    4,067
    687
    0
    Location:
    Eastern Oregon
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    V
    I did the same thing, thought it was broken. Then remembered I had just reset the TPMS (tire pressure monitor system) and the buttons were close together, I had pushed the PCS while fumbling for the TPMS button.
     
  6. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2004
    44,767
    16,016
    41
    Location:
    Canada
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    oh crap. I need to reset the TPMS. I bumped my pressures up to 42/40 on Nokian Rs but forgot to reset the TPMS.
     
  7. lloydb

    lloydb New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2010
    1
    0
    0
    Location:
    Sydney, Australia
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    GAM,

    You little ripper! Thanks a lot for that. My PCS light came on today and I didn't know what to do about it.
    I am taking the car in for a service tomorrow and was going to tell them about it then.

    I found your post, and tried your trick and it worked! Thankyou :)

    I never knew this button was there!

    Thanks again for your contribution!

    Cheers,

    Lloyd. :)


     
  8. cwerdna

    cwerdna Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 4, 2005
    12,544
    2,122
    1
    Location:
    SF Bay Area, CA
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
  9. Katie preston

    Katie preston New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 9, 2018
    14
    2
    0
    Location:
    Az
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Five
    My PCS warning light comes on even when the PCS is turned off? Help? Codes have come back clear i don’t know why the warning light continues to come on
     
  10. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,571
    48,862
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    have you spoken with a dealer?
     
  11. Katie preston

    Katie preston New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 9, 2018
    14
    2
    0
    Location:
    Az
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Five
    Not since last time this happened which was last year and they had NO CLUE as to why this was happening. The only resolve they came up with was to reset my radar in the front by setting up cones etc to the tune of $700....i can’t believe there are other prius owners who are having this problem?
     
  12. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,571
    48,862
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    did they check for trouble codes?
     
  13. David Beale

    David Beale Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 24, 2006
    5,963
    1,979
    0
    Location:
    Edmonton Alberta
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    The PCS light will come on when you press in the PCS switch located under the dash beside the steering column. When you press that switch again the light will go out. Some people manage to press it accidentally. Pearl S' PCS light is on all the time because I choose not to allow the car to brake at bridge expansion joints (which it can do per the owners manual).

    To locate the switch purposely you have to almost put your head on the floor and look up (use a flashlight). There are two push button switches under there, one labeled TPMS and one labeled PCS.
     
  14. Katie preston

    Katie preston New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 9, 2018
    14
    2
    0
    Location:
    Az
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Five
    It;s not the PCS light that;s on it’s the PCS warning light.......i know the switch well, and sadly even when the system is turned off the PCS warning light comes on.
     
  15. Katie preston

    Katie preston New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 9, 2018
    14
    2
    0
    Location:
    Az
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Five
    Yes they did check for trouble codes everything came back fine
     
    bisco likes this.
  16. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,571
    48,862
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    have you called toyota customer service?
     
  17. Katie preston

    Katie preston New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 9, 2018
    14
    2
    0
    Location:
    Az
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Five
    No but I’m taking into a mechanic this week frustrated
     
  18. Katie preston

    Katie preston New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 9, 2018
    14
    2
    0
    Location:
    Az
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Five
    So, update, took it to the dealership and they diagnosed a problem with the ECU system they made an adjustment and it seemed to have worked until he NEXT DAY when sadly the light came back on.
    Now they are wanting to replace the ECU system to the tune of $1500.....ugh
    Anyone ever heard of this
     
  19. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,571
    48,862
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    no, but i would just put up with it for that price, until you can find a cheaper solution.
     
  20. Katie preston

    Katie preston New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 9, 2018
    14
    2
    0
    Location:
    Az
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Five
    They have offered to cover half of the cost but now the light hasn’t gone back on
    They said I have to fix it within the next two weeks or their offer doesn’t stand.....kindof annoying