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Window failure and check engine light

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Monkeymind, Apr 21, 2013.

  1. Monkeymind

    Monkeymind Junior Member

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    I'm appealing to the wisdom of all you PriusChat wizards. Does anyone have any thoughts on this?

    I have a 2006 Prius with 100,000.

    My husband just called me from the road (3 hours away on the way home). He pressed his button on the drivers side door to roll the driver's side back window down a crack. After he let go of the button, the window continued to go down all the way then wouldn't go back up. He stopped and tried to put it up using the button on the back door, but it didn't work. He then turned the car off in order to get gas, and when he started the car, the check engine light came on. He's driving now trying to get home before anything more goes wrong.

    I'm hoping it's just a coincidence that the window broke and then the check engine light came on (hoping maybe he didn't tighten the gas cap when he got gas).

    Does anybody have any thoughts off the top of your head? And Is there any quick manual process he could use to get the window up? And do I need to worry about the check engine light for the next 3 hours until he get home or can he just get it checked out at an autozone tomorrow?

    Thanks for any help anyone might be able to offer.
     
  2. jdcollins5

    jdcollins5 Senior Member

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    Well the two incidents should not be related. The window malfunction would not cause the check engine light.

    Since the light came on after filling up you are most likely correct about the gas cap not being fully tightened.

    Good luck.
     
  3. Monkeymind

    Monkeymind Junior Member

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    Thanks jdcollins5, I hope we're both right.
     
  4. 2k1Toaster

    2k1Toaster Brand New Prius Batteries

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    Could have fumbled with the window controls and pressed the lockout button (the circular one next to the window controls and lock).

    As for the CEL, if that comes on then there are codes. If it is the Maintenance Required, then it is time for an oil change.
     
  5. Monkeymind

    Monkeymind Junior Member

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    Oh man, I was really hoping it was the lockout button! Not it, but I like the way you think.

    It's definitely the CEL. The Maintenance Required light was just reset a couple weeks ago. Looks like we'll be taking it to an Autozone tomorrow to check the codes.

    Anyone know if a dying 12V battery could cause both symptoms? (PS: the only window that's not working is the driver side rear, all others are functioning).
     
  6. Monkeymind

    Monkeymind Junior Member

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    I thought you all might enjoy an update on dilemma.

    Hubby took the car to AutoZone and got the infamous P1121 error code. As was suggested, not at all related to the window, just a coincidence. Of course, when he turned the car back on to leave AutoZone, the check engine light was off and stayed off (until this morning, after he left for the airport, it just came back on again for me, lovely).

    But, here's the best part. He went straight from AutoZone to the stealership to have the window looked at (turned out it was the passenger-side rear window). Anyway, they charged him $100+ to get the window up and THIS IS WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE!!!!!!!!!

    2013-04-23_12-39-53_959.jpg

    Yes, that's right, he left that stealership with 2 strips of duct tape holding up my window... for $100+!!!! They said it would cost him $600 if he wanted them to fix the window motor.

    From what I've seen here on the boards, it looks like I'm going to be on the hook to the tune of $300 or so to get my flow control valve fixed, so I'm wondering if I could fix this window by myself. I'm a girl who's managed to change both headlights in my car thanks to this board (though I haven't gotten my time down to the few minutes that it takes for Luscious Garage to do it).

    I found this part on line at PartsGeek:
    Replacement Window Motor - Rear Right
    Your Price: $88.38
    In Stock
    Part Number: 18881-06015202
    Notes: Power Window Motor -- Power Window Regulator w/ Motor
    Position: Rear Right
    Condition: New

    I'd much rather spend $88 and some sweat equity if I'm looking at the right part and a manageble repair. Anyone with experience with this? Does this window motor repair seem like something I'd be able to do myself?
     
  7. 2k1Toaster

    2k1Toaster Brand New Prius Batteries

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    The partially good news in hiding is that it is a repeat event. If you can get the codes read for free again and they are the same, it is less probable that it is a fluke. Suggesting replacement and knowing that it will be the fix becomes a better and better option the more certain you are.

    It is a PITA to get duct tape glue/resin off of windows without scratching it. It might be the only possibility if you must continue driving the car. But the longer it is on there, the more of a horrible experience you will have trying to get it off.

    That sounds way high. The windows in a Prius are like every other car out there. You can find a backyard mechanic or any mechanic in town that will be able to do it. There is no need for the Toyota TechStream or anything like that. They may need to reprogram the automatic window up/down functionality on the driver's window but you can do that yourself if the mechanic doesn't (It is even in the manual I believe).

    Personally, I would go find a good "car-person" or actual mechanic that will do it for $100 or $200 and you hand them the part. It is a royal PITA to change windows in my experience but I have not done many so I am not good at it. I am thinking this is where you will be too. And if you don't get it on there correct and straight, the window may shatter/explode the next time it is rolled up or down because of the stress on the glass. Edge stress makes it go kaboom, then you have glass inside your door that you will almost never be able to get out and will make maraca type sounds everytime you open and shut it.

    Having done it before, I would pay someone a couple hundred to do it. If you really want to do it yourself, lay out a good portion of the weekend so you aren't rushed. It is not particularly difficult, it is just awkward, annoying, and time consuming if you aren't skilled.
     
  8. Monkeymind

    Monkeymind Junior Member

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    Hmmm. If someone more technically qualified than me would rather pay someone than deal with the PITA...

    Advanced Auto Parts and Autozone each have specials going on - 15% + $25 off next purchase and 20% respectively. That could save me a couple extra bucks, too.

    I'm checking around to find someone that I can hand over the part to. If anyone knows a good, reasonable, and trustworthy mechanic in the Akron, OH area....
     
  9. CLUBGUY

    CLUBGUY Member

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    He pressed his button on the drivers side door to roll the driver's side back window down a crack

    Be certain there is no difference between the "power window motor" for the r.r. window and the window you describe as being faulty...the L.R. window.....just a thought..!!!



    Read more: http://priuschat.com/threads/window-failure-and-check-engine-light.125469/#ixzz2RKv1Jx5f
     
  10. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    *Moved to Gen II Care, Maintenance & Troubles*
     
  11. Monkeymind

    Monkeymind Junior Member

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    I just misunderstood which window my husband was talking about. I wasn't with him at the time, he told me over the phone while he was still 3 hours away. He had actually rolled down the passenger side rear window. The left (driver's side) rear window works fine as do both front windows.

    But thanks for the thought. I'm all about crowd-sourcing my car repairs. I'm glad to hear-out anyone that has a thought or idea.

    PS: CLUBGUY, hubby was driving home from Cinicinnati when the it broke. He's down there at least twice a month. Do you know any great repair shops down there?
     
  12. CLUBGUY

    CLUBGUY Member

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  13. CLUBGUY

    CLUBGUY Member

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    My first Prius...still using the dealership (Beechmont Toyota) ...free 24 month maintenance..
     
  14. maestro8

    maestro8 Nouveau Member

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    Every shop has a minimum labor charge. You chose to take a simple problem to an expensive mechanic, then decline the repair.

    The cost and the duct tape are direct results of your decisions. I don't see how the dealership could be faulted for anything here.
     
  15. Monkeymind

    Monkeymind Junior Member

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    Well, not exactly. I didn't. My husband did. As you might guess from my writing here to ask about it, I'm inclined to fix things myself if it's reasonable or find someone other than a dealer fix it if I can't. I didn't get a chance to do that before my husband took it in (he meant well, he was leaving on a business trip the next day and he didn't want me to have to worry about it). So no, it wasn't a direct result of my decision.

    I do find fault with dealerships charging exorbitant fees for labor, especially for (as you say) a simple repair. I am confident that I am not the only person on the board that feels this way. I also feel pretty comfortable being disgusted by a service department that will charge ridiculous fees for their service without mentioning that the "fix" would include holding the window up with duct tape. But thanks for your feedback.