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Wiring harness problem

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by srjacob, Jan 17, 2014.

  1. srjacob

    srjacob Junior Member

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    I have a 2004 Prius (96000 miles) with what seems to be a wiring harness problem. I have replaced the ABS computer twice (one used, one new). The symptoms are the red ABS, Anti-Skid, Brake, and orange ! all come on, and the braking gets really strange (no regen, stops only when you bottom the pedal, etc.). It's been doing this for over a year. Only Toyota can clear the codes, my scanner can't see them. Last time the lights came on, the codes showed a wiring harness problem. Had a friend in MA do some inquiry for me (apparently in MA, the car mfgers have to give the service data and equipment to independent repair shops), and he found that there is a problem of corrosion in the contacts of the wiring harness near the ABS computer when you live in a salt air environment (I live in Miami).

    Does anyone know of this problem, and does Toyota know of this problem? Does anyone know what to do about it?

    The local dealer wants to sell me a new harness, but says that with the HV battery warrantied for only 100K miles, I should be looking at getting rid of the car (they would like to sell me a new one). I am at the mercy of the dealers down here because no one else knows how to work on these cars.

    Thanks for any help you can give me.

    Steve
     
    #1 srjacob, Jan 17, 2014
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i don't recall ever reading about that problem and we have plenty of people living in salt prone area's. how much do they want for a wiring harness?
     
    #2 bisco, Jan 17, 2014
  3. Lee Bridges

    Lee Bridges Junior Member

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    Might I suggest this get moved or re-posted - I know I don't typically look in all the various sub-forums, and someone who might have an answer may never see it since this is in the v model section.

    That said, a look here might lead one toward a answer: Chronic Prius VSC and Park Error Messages | PriusChat
     
    #3 Lee Bridges, Jan 18, 2014
  4. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    Lee if you 'report' the post, the moderators will get it moved. No one reads every post.

    Then later, folks won't be confused by "move this to Gen 2" when it is in Gen 2.
     
    #4 JimboPalmer, Jan 18, 2014
  5. Mike500

    Mike500 Senior Member

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    You might try to take the connectors apart and clean the contacts.
     
    #5 Mike500, Jan 18, 2014
  6. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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    Yes, then apply dielectric grease when reassembling.
     
    #6 xliderider, Jan 18, 2014
  7. Mike500

    Mike500 Senior Member

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    Actually, WD40, Boeshield T-9 and even rustproofing are good at protecting the electrical connectors, brake lines and fittings.
     
    #7 Mike500, Jan 18, 2014
  8. Paradox

    Paradox Prius Enthusiast / Moderator
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    Yeah, report the post to us lee and we will move it. Users simply saying wrong forum without telling us makes people often repost it again and makes more work for us, or leaves the original thread in the wrong forum anyway because we r not made aware. Thank you.
     
    #8 Paradox, Jan 18, 2014
  9. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    1. I haven't heard of this issue before.
    2. You can obtain factory repair manual and electrical wiring diagram info at techinfo.toyota.com which is a subscription website.
    3. Toyota Techstream is the official laptop solution used by Toyota dealer repair shops. You (and independent repair shops for that matter) can license Techstream Lite from Toyota for $1,345. "Mini VCI" is a pirated solution readily available on eBay although some members have reported viruses associated with that - so buyer beware.
    4. I suggest you should try cleaning the contacts with electrical contact cleaner.
    5. If you obtain the DTC and post, perhaps other solutions may come to mind.
     
    #9 Patrick Wong, Jan 18, 2014
  10. nh7o

    nh7o Off grid since 1980

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    The "replace wiring harness" recommendation is what dealerships say when they don't know where a problem is, much less how to fix it, and they don't want to have someone waste time probing around looking for some fault. We see reports of rodent damaged wires that can be simply spliced back again, but it is locating those wires which is the adventure. Replacing the whole harness for a single point problem is at least a step by step procedure that a tech can do, and bill the customer a known amount, even if it is an absurdly high amount.

    Knowing what the DTC are would at least narrow the search. If you can get to West Melbourne, Mellor's Automotive could do the work.
     
    #10 nh7o, Jan 19, 2014
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