Gen 2 Prius Technical Discussion

Need help with deciding on new shocks for gen 2

invalid@example.com (amitt) — Sun, 19 Apr 2026 06:25:27 +0000

Hi chat members ,

My 2006 prius has 225k miles and original shocks. I had the car since it had 93k miles, and i never felt it had a soft ride, not even when comparing it to my gen 1prius, that always had more miles than the gen 2, both with original shocks.

Given the rough ride " by design", i would really appreciate your thoughts on whether it is worth it to spend the money on new shocks, and if so, is there a way to buy a brand that will be more comfortable than the OEM shocks?

I have a...

Need help with deciding on new shocks for gen 2

Got a Smog Check for DMV, soon after, warning lights came on, front end is near the ground

invalid@example.com (jaw444) — Sun, 19 Apr 2026 05:47:19 +0000

On March 3, 2026, i took my car for a Smog check required for CA registration. The car was running fine, has been running fine for long time. The Smog check advertised "Smog check in 15 minutes, no repairs." i chose one nearby (there were many) and the guy finished in around 15 minutes. I drove home and made a copy of the DMV form which the Smog guy signed, saying the car passed everything. Then i drove to DMV, so far no apparent problems. I parked, went into DMV, it took about 5...

Got a Smog Check for DMV, soon after, warning lights came on, front end is near the ground

Replaced Brake Actuator - Trouble Bleeding

invalid@example.com (Lukieb) — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 05:10:43 +0000

Hey all, I'm hoping someone can help me out with this as I've been battling with it for way too long. My daughter's 2005 GEN2 Prius threw the same CXXX codes and was told it was the brake actuator, but the car also needed new bearings and drum brakes, so I gave it a go. I bought a used one and it didn't work, so went ahead and bought a new one. I also had to replace a couple of brake lines since I'm in the North East and the car shows. Anyways, here's a quick rundown of where I am.

1.)...

Replaced Brake Actuator - Trouble Bleeding

What's standard on the 2009 vs. 2005 Prius?

invalid@example.com (carstar) — Sat, 11 Apr 2026 01:38:26 +0000

I bought a 2005 Prius at 19k miles and just retired it at 260k+ miles (it was such a good little car
There are a bunch of features that I just assumed were standard on my 2005 that are...noticeably lacking in this 2009. Are these just...

What's standard on the 2009 vs. 2005 Prius?

Techron fuel system cleaner

invalid@example.com (bluecrazymonkey) — Tue, 07 Apr 2026 16:45:04 +0000

I got a 2nd gen prius about 128k miles so far, and I use a techron fuel system cleaner like a few months ago and when i did it it made the transition between hybrid battery and engine more rough. I was wondering if this was a good thing? It smoothed out after like a couple of weeks and Ive been thinking about doing it again soon.

Just wondering if this is good and i should keep doing it and if anyone else also had similar cases like mine as well?

Thanks

Ratting mechanical noise when going over quick bumps at highish speed

invalid@example.com (bluecrazymonkey) — Tue, 07 Apr 2026 01:25:33 +0000

I get this when Im going kind of fast like 40-50mph over quick small bumps. Sound is coming from the back right rear of the wheel.

I am assuming its sway bar links and the prius 2nd gen has rear sway bar links right?

Moog is the best parts correct?

Toyota prius 2008

fake TPMS sensors how to spot

invalid@example.com (Tombukt2) — Sun, 05 Apr 2026 16:39:44 +0000

So I found a guy online who has factory Toyota TPMS sensors in individually boxed red and white boxes with the number label and all that sub valve assembly tire / whatever I'll put the part number up here if I have to but you can find the guy on eBay You can't miss the pictures of the boxes I ordered a set of four I think that's how we sells them they're like $44. In the immediate thing I noticed directly on the sensors themselves if you have the valve aimed down holding the unit in your...

fake TPMS sensors how to spot

HID to Halogen/LED Conversion

invalid@example.com (John Capel) — Sat, 04 Apr 2026 18:15:38 +0000

PRIUSCHAT.COM
A New, Comprehensive Revision of an Original Post from 2017 "How To Convert From HID To Halogen"

IMPORTANT: These instructions and drawing are to enable you to use the existing HID headlight wiring and adapt it to a replacement halogen or LED headlight assembly. Please note that extensive research on this conversion has revealed the following facts:
1. A relay, or relay's, MUST be used! Attempting to eliminate a relay will create one of the following failed conditions-
A....

HID to Halogen/LED Conversion

here is Ilco SKS remote will slot

invalid@example.com (Tombukt2) — Sat, 28 Mar 2026 20:34:37 +0000

Fekin link wont post ...AX 14440 is part no

Should i replace or recondition my battery?

invalid@example.com (iamgroot) — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 22:04:28 +0000

I have recently bought a 2009 prius with 170k miles. I did regular engine maintenance but regarding the hybrid battery it is still the original one. I did Dr.Pirus test and it says the battery is at 48% capacity. I have attached the techstream data of hv battery. And the delta voltage between the modules is staying under mostly 0.2-0.35v, internal resistance is 0.0019 for all of them.
And the battery is dropping very slowly under load from 77-65 but fastly from 65-50.
Is the battery in...

Should i replace or recondition my battery?

2009 brake actuator

invalid@example.com (Turniptthebeets) — Tue, 24 Mar 2026 17:56:48 +0000

got this as a gift after mentioning having to replace mine. Wondering if anyone would tell me if they would risk it. Shipped from east coast to the Midwest with no covers on the inlets.. makes me a little weary but this would be a first time for me, wondering if anyone has and recommendations. Also getting conflicting information about what it came out of. I know basically nothing to go on.

What all vehicles can we use battery cells from?

invalid@example.com (StephenJ) — Tue, 24 Mar 2026 01:24:23 +0000

The battery is getting weak in our 2009 and I'd like to find a newer vehicle that has a lot of life left to get cells from to install in my 2nd Gen pack. I feel like that would be better than a rebuild full of 15yr old cells.

I thought a list of cars/years might be helpful.

Will all Toyota/Lexus hybrid battery packs work as long as it's NiMh and not Li-Ion?

Random Triangle of Death and P0a4c and P0a4d codes

invalid@example.com (DR6am) — Mon, 23 Mar 2026 20:43:23 +0000

Just the other day I got the red triangle of death and a check engine light. The car felt like it would barely move, but luckily I was close to home so I coasted it. Pulled the codes and they are coming as p0a4c and p0a4d. Looking around, someone else had a similar problem and it turns out some rodent ate away the harness.

However, I checked under the hood and couldn't see any of the harnesses eaten up. The next day, I started the car and the triangle of death went away. I cleared the codes...

Random Triangle of Death and P0a4c and P0a4d codes

P0A4C & P0A4D - ICE shut down at about 70 mph

invalid@example.com (Mattp) — Mon, 23 Mar 2026 20:38:00 +0000

The issue...
Red Triangle and all the warning lights

The car
2009 Prius - 230,000 miles

When I hit about 70mph on the highway the ICE completely shuts off leaving me to coast off the hybrid battery. If I pull over and turn the car off wait about 30 seconds the car comes on and will operate on the ICE for a short burst then back to battery. I can use this to get off the highway.

Once off the highway and taking normal residential like streets (anything below 60mph) the car will operate...

P0A4C & P0A4D - ICE shut down at about 70 mph

Which Coolant Sensor?

invalid@example.com (CarTunist) — Mon, 23 Mar 2026 15:17:09 +0000

My son recently purchased a 2006 Prius and the check engine was on I scanned it for codes and a P0117 had stored (current & pending) I want to circuit check the system but I'm not sure which sensor sets this DTC, first one I encountered was on the drivers lower front side, then I saw some information on replacing one on the back side of the engine (closer to the bulkhead/firewall) I think its the back one since it's part of the ICE system (internal combustion engine) but I want to make sure...

Which Coolant Sensor?

Replace camshaft position sensor ?

invalid@example.com (jlivingstonsg) — Sun, 22 Mar 2026 13:21:28 +0000

------
Hi.
My 2005 Prius run bad on idle and is not loading as it used to,
when driving over about 70 km/h
and got error codes and Toyota said I need to change the camshaft position sensor.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/eaqrqRGYjT9uRJsz5
https://photos.app.goo.gl/RGCWr9J61BYbVx1JA
I can not find any video or manual on how to replace it.
Anyone know a video or manual?

Is it...

Replace camshaft position sensor ?

Gen II Prius Individual Battery Module Replacement

invalid@example.com (ryousideways) — Sun, 22 Mar 2026 01:51:19 +0000

I would first like to state that when all of this is said done and figured out I will be making a write up of what to do.

I have a 2005 Prius with 114,000 miles on it. I was driving last week when it suddenly displayed a Christmas tree of lights that included VSC and the triangle of death....and of course the battery fan kicked into high gear.
Hooked it into a OBD II scanner:
P0A80 "Hybrid battery pack over temperature"
P3019 "battery block 7 becomes weak"
P3000 "DSL solenoid circut low"...

Gen II Prius Individual Battery Module Replacement

Full throttle/Brake charging potential damage

invalid@example.com (punatic) — Sat, 21 Mar 2026 19:33:25 +0000

I have a car that has one bad module per Dr Prius and Techstream. I have been watching Dr Prius like a hawk when driving and I see when the Vdif gets above 2 I get the triangle. So I have been stopping resetting the code and and charging my battery using full throttle/braking to get the SOC and the Vdif down before that happens. Am I at risk of damaging anything if I do this too much? I can't seem to find out.

Burning more oil on highway than around town, why?

invalid@example.com (pasadena_commut) — Mon, 16 Mar 2026 14:22:48 +0000

It is my impression that our 2007 burns more oil at highway speeds than around town. Admittedly this may be observational bias, because going 700 miles on a trip on the highway only takes a couple of days, while the way we drive in town, it would be two months. So the same amount of oil burning per mile may seem like a higher rate because of the shortened time frame.

Anyway, for the sake of discussion, if "my Prius burns more oil on the highway than around town" is actually true, why...

Burning more oil on highway than around town, why?

Capacitor issues, other than the MFD?

invalid@example.com (pasadena_commut) — Sat, 07 Mar 2026 14:14:33 +0000

It is common for the MFD to fail because an electrolytic capacitor used by Toyota wasn't quite the right capacity and over time it degrades to the point where it cannot do its job. That was a design failure, even though it took a few years to show up, it wasn't really the typical sort of capacitor age failure.

These cars are getting up there in age, mine will be 20 next year, and at that age it is fairly common for this type of capacitor to fail. They swell, leak, or just get so far out...

Capacitor issues, other than the MFD?