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T-SB-0172-09 Combination Meter - Intermittent Display

Discussion in 'Toyota Prius Service Bulletins - TSBs' started by Patrick Wong, Jan 13, 2010.

  1. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    Some of our taxicab driver members first pointed out this problem, since they are logging many more miles on their Prius than normal drivers.
    http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-ii-prius-main-forum/57445-instrument-panel-problem-video.html

    Carolyn of Luscious Garage subsequently provided her theory and analysis regarding its root cause.
    http://lusciousgarage.com/index.php/blog/video_prius_dead_dashboard/

    This TSB acknowledges the problem and indicates an improved combination meter is available.
     

    Attached Files:

  2. dogfriend

    dogfriend Human - Animal Hybrid

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    The warranty coverage of 3yrs/36k is a bummer. My impression is that the cars with this problem have been way past the mileage limit.
     
  3. philmcneal

    philmcneal Taxi!

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    the installation looks easy but i heard combination meter can go for 1k! ai ya i guess i'll have to live with it since its random when it happens lol

    thanks guys for the replies :D

    04 prius has almost 220,000 km on it whoo! lol yea it used to be a taxi ... only taxi guys eh
     
  4. cwerdna

    cwerdna Senior Member

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    Yeah, bummer, esp. given that I just noticed the cost that LG cites. :(

    If I'm reading the VIN right (going by the 9 after the #), the TSB applies to ALL vehicles before some point in the 09 model yaer. :(

    I've been to Yazaki's booth each time I've been Tokyo Motor Show... If mine fails, maybe I should gripe to them if I can make it next time...
     
  5. wedge40

    wedge40 Waiting build character

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    My 08 Prius (25Kmiles) has done this twice now on startup in cold weather. Both times after driving for about 20 minutes it came back on and seemed to work just fine.
    If it doesn't do it for the service tech, can I use the TSB to get them to fix the problem. Or if I document having the problem now and if fails outside of warrenty will it then be covered?

    It really sucks not knowing stuff like speed and the amount of gas I have in the tank.

    Wedge
     
  6. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    Suggest you take a good photo when the problem happens so you can prove the problem exists. Also suggest you print the TSB and take with you to the dealer.
     
  7. prince101005

    prince101005 Junior Member

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    I bought the extended warranty for 75kmi and 8.5 years but the tri-fold pamphlet is not clear and waiting on dealership answer (quite busy right now). Anyone know if this problem is covered under the extended warranty?

    I've had this happen twice now, both on mornings that were not only cold but that were drastic drops in temperature compared to the day and night previous. Each time I've shut off and re-started a couple of times resulting in the lights coming on. 2008, with 38k miles. Happened last Friday and before that was around 20k miles I believe.

    Also, is this problem known to exist in any warmer climates, or only in the cold? I'm moving to Texas soon and may not experience it there. Still want it fixed to stave off any related future problems though. But if the warranty don't cover it than I may wait it out in Texas!

    WP
     
  8. prince101005

    prince101005 Junior Member

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    Update. Contacted the Dealer who said first thing they have to do is try to replicate this. I discussed the TSB with him with this being a recognized problem for my yr Prius and that it has happened only twice so far in 2 years. Now he is going to "talk to his Prius expert" and contact me again tomorrow....what do you think the odds are? ya' me too - I have a camera in the car for next time.
     
  9. prince101005

    prince101005 Junior Member

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    UPDATE: 12 JUN 2010: Combination Meter replaced by Toyota of Woodbridge, VA.

    After taking the car to Toyota Dealership's in Waldorf, MD, Stafford, VA and Woodbridge, VA (in process of moving) I contacted Toyota through their website and they re-contacted me and coordinated an appointment in Woodbridge. There it was replaced and covered 100% through the extended warranty.
     
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  10. pEEf

    pEEf Engineer - EV nut

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    This post no longer relevant.
     
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  11. jdenenberg

    jdenenberg EE Professor

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    Can you reset the mileage for those that have gone over the 299,999 barrier? If so you may have some customers on the 299,999+ Mile Club thread.

    JeffD
     
  12. pEEf

    pEEf Engineer - EV nut

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    That wouldn't be hard. The Mileage is stored in a standard serial EEPROM.

    Really strange that it stops at 299,999. That's a 19-bit number! So if they are indeed using 19 bits, which makes no sense, then you should be able to at least hit 524,287.

    This means someone artificially created this limit!

    Why would they make it stop? Why not flip like the old mechanical ones?
     
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  13. macaw

    macaw New Member

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    Don't be so quick to blame regulation. Those issues were around long before that law was passed. My 1989 oldsmobile cutlass supreme had a digital display that only intermittently worked.
     
  14. pEEf

    pEEf Engineer - EV nut

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    I'm not blaming legislation, but it's a simple fact that the removal of lead from solder has resulted in a more brittle alloy. As time goes on, engineers are finding creative solutions to make up for this.

    Besides, I think the 80's Oldsmobile's problems weren't limited to a few bad solder joints! =)
     
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  15. 2k1Toaster

    2k1Toaster Brand New Prius Batteries

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    You mean a 3 cent capacitor for ensuring the minimum reset timing characteristics on pg. 87 of the datasheet?
     
  16. pEEf

    pEEf Engineer - EV nut

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    Not relevant
     
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  17. pEEf

    pEEf Engineer - EV nut

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    Not Relevant
     
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  18. carpediemck

    carpediemck Junior Member

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    Has anyone here sent their meter for this repair? I believe that pEEf would have been discredited on this forum if it didn't work.
    I recently bought a 36000 mile pre-owned comb. meter on ebay for around $114 and a Pine Bluff, Ark. dealership charged me a little over $200.00 to install. I checked all over the south while I was on a business trip and that dealership was the most reasonable! I wish that I could reset it to the 250,000 hard-earned proud miles that the car and I really travelled.
     
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  19. 2k1Toaster

    2k1Toaster Brand New Prius Batteries

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    Judging from his past posts and knowledge, he knows what he is talking about and doing. If I had this problem and was unable to solve it myself, I would trust him. :cool:

    So you have a new combination meter that works, but you still have the old one with 250k miles on it, and you want to fix the old one so the car shows all the miles? That's dedication!
     
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  20. carpediemck

    carpediemck Junior Member

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    Probably, the mis-guided attachment meshuggahs is caused by road-weary, delirium. I just returned from a 5000 mile (zigzag) sales road trip.

    I no longer have the old meter, but I know a 2001 owner with limited funds, a dead power steering system and dying cluster panel.

    Is the power-steering issue related to the cluster panel? Sorry, if that's a dumb question. I am a Techo-Klutz.