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Dead Prius - HELP PLEASE

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Dagben77, Mar 1, 2016.

  1. Dagben77

    Dagben77 New Member

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    I have a 2006 Prius which I've owned for years.

    Whilst having a restless night, I popped out to my car for a coffee and an email catch up, I accidentally spilled the whole cup across the dashboard! A majority of the coffee went down the display hole at the back. The car started fine and drove ok for the next 3 days. On the fourth day, I pulled up at work and pulled the key out. The car beeped like i'd left the key in. I tried to restart it but it wouldn't go!

    4 weeks have gone by and it still wont start. I put the key in the ignition and press start (with foot on brake) but it doesn't start. I don't get any lights on the dashboard although the interior lights all work, brake lights, headlights etc. I'm jumping it to make sure its got enough voltage. BTW, the 12v battery is less than a year old.

    I don't get a light on the power button either.

    I have checked all the fuses and they're all fine.

    I have run out of options! If anyone could shed any light, I would be very grateful.

    Ben.
     
    #1 Dagben77, Mar 1, 2016
  2. 48mpg

    48mpg Member

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    the coffee/sugar has corroded anything electrical it has touched, most likely shorted everything out.....find one in the junk yard and start changing parts is about all you can do...liquid and electronics don't mix..
     
    #2 48mpg, Mar 1, 2016
  3. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    welcome! have you tried the other key? or maybe pour some tea back there and see if she starts.
     
    #3 bisco, Mar 1, 2016
  4. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    When referring to the "display", I assume you mean the combination meter ECU which displays speed, fuel level, transaxle shift position etc. If so, you need to start by replacing the combination meter ECU.
     
    #4 Patrick Wong, Mar 1, 2016
  5. Dagben77

    Dagben77 New Member

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    I only have the one key!!!

    The only light that's working is the key symbol. That extinguishes with the key inserted.

    Thanks.

    Yes. That display. I'll try and find the ecu first :).

    Sounds like a logical place to start. I'll start looking into location and removal methods. Thanks for help.

    Ben.

    EDIT: Just to add, the power button light doesn't illuminate either.

    Don't know if that helps any diagnosis.

    Thanks.
     
    #5 Dagben77, Mar 2, 2016
  6. Dagben77

    Dagben77 New Member

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    Eventually got round to changing the display (which I assume is the ECU also) and no change!

    Still dead. Can anyone else suggest anything else?

    Thanks.
     
    #6 Dagben77, Apr 17, 2016
  7. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    check the 12 volt? or maybe you popped a fuse.
     
    #7 bisco, Apr 17, 2016
  8. northwichita

    northwichita .

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    I would use some electrical cleaner on the the power button itself / plus the connection on the backside of it, to see if that is the problem.
     
    #8 northwichita, Apr 17, 2016
  9. Dagben77

    Dagben77 New Member

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    Hi Bisco. I have jumped it from both ends and confirm about 12.8v under the bonnet (hood). I have checked every fuse (that ive found, even some within the dashboard). I have even pulled a few in case something was drawing heavily.

    Hi Northwchita. Tried it with cleaner, no change!

    Really struggling now!

    Short of replacing everything, I don't really know what else to try...

    Thanks for the suggestions though.
     
    #9 Dagben77, Apr 18, 2016
  10. Dagben77

    Dagben77 New Member

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    One thought, I only have one key for the car. Is there anyway the car could have lost/forgot the coding of the key?

    Also, is there one item on/in the dash (like the touch screen unit) that if it were to fail, would prevent the car from starting?

    Thanks.
     
    #10 Dagben77, Apr 18, 2016
    Last edited: Apr 18, 2016
  11. andrewclaus

    andrewclaus Active Member

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    There are a lot of wiring harness connections below the combination meter (at least there are in a North America car). The driver's side junction block isn't too far away either. If you didn't check all these for contamination while you had the dashboard completely apart, it might be time to do that project again.

    By the way, when you changed the combination meter, how did you deal with the odometer reading? That may not be a concern right now, I understand.
     
    #11 andrewclaus, Apr 18, 2016
  12. Dagben77

    Dagben77 New Member

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    Hi andrewclaus, I still have the dash out. I have visually checked where I can and all looks fine!

    I didn't realise the mileage was stored on the clock itself, I presumed it stayed with the main ECU.
     
    #12 Dagben77, Apr 18, 2016
  13. andrewclaus

    andrewclaus Active Member

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    A few drops of coffee (milk or sugar?) running down a wire into the back of a connector may cause a problem. You may not be able to see a stain.

    When I took my dash apart for CM (combination meter) work, I had to remove the start button, MFD, passenger airbag, and disconnect the upper dash panel. Did you plug all those back in to test the start?

    I sent my original CM to a third party for repair, retaining the odometer reading. (When a dealer replaced another CM on another car, they had to send the new CM to a third party to program the odometer. They lost it and caused all sort of problems, but that's another story....)
     
    #13 andrewclaus, Apr 18, 2016
    edthefox5 likes this.
  14. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

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    The combo meter is serviced by 2 12 volt fuses 10A Gauge and 15A Dome.

    10A Gauge goes from a purple wire to a junction connector and then exits as yellow wire. Hits another junction connector and exits as purple wire to Pin 22 on the Combo (12 volts) Check pin 22 with dc voltmeter.

    15A Dome goes from a red wire to junction connector and exits as red wire to junction connector and exits as pink wire to another junction connector then exits as blue wire then another j and exits as yellow wire to Pin 21 on Combo (12 volts) Check there too.

    So look for purple and yellow wire on Combo right next to each other. Should be 12 there on both. What may help is take a file/grinder and sharpen pos volt probe of meter to very fine pin point like a needle to stab into connector socket to interrogate wire. Your back probing the connector. Leave the connector plugged in. Black probe on chassis ground.
     
    #14 edthefox5, Apr 19, 2016
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