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Brake issues

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Mebeksis, Jun 2, 2018.

  1. Mebeksis

    Mebeksis Junior Member

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    So today I was pulling into the store and brakes started acting up. The best way I can describe is like when the power steering goes out...the brakes did still work, but I had to press the pedal all the way in and it took a lot longer to completely stop. The instrument panel had the emergency brake light, the ABS light, and a generic brake system warning light all come on. I checked the brake fluid level and it was under the minimum, so I added some more and the system sucked it in. So I added more until it was halfway between min and max and stayed there. I turned the car on and let it sit for a few minutes. The lights stayed on and after 2-3 minutes, the car started having a loud high pitched tone sound. It was louder and higher pitched than the reverse warning sound. I turned the car off and now am here.

    I did have the rear brakes done about a month ago. I also had one of the plastic guards from underneath come off a couple weeks ago and it's been rainy last few days. Help!?

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    #1 Mebeksis, Jun 2, 2018
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    you need to have the trouble codes read. strange that you just had the brakes done and the fluid would be low a month later.
    maybe you should go back to the brake place, they can look underneath to see if anything was damaged.
    might just need bleeding if you're lucky.
    how many miles on her?
     
    #2 bisco, Jun 2, 2018
  3. padroo

    padroo Senior Member

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    Low brake fluid means you have a leak or you have had excessive brake wear. I agree with bisco, you need to get it back to the break guy.
     
    #3 padroo, Jun 2, 2018
  4. Mebeksis

    Mebeksis Junior Member

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    255k miles. After doing more research, it sounds exactly like the issue that was being corrected with the Warranty Enhancement ZG1 (brake actuator failure) which sucks since I'm outside the mileage requirements for having the work done for free. I will contact the place that had the brakes done and see if they will take a look.
     
    #4 Mebeksis, Jun 3, 2018
  5. Mebeksis

    Mebeksis Junior Member

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    Here is a link to the video I made of what is happening on the instrument panel when I start the car up:

     
    #5 Mebeksis, Jun 3, 2018
  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    there are trouble codes behind the idiot lights. if you are going to diy, you will need tech stream and a subscription to the on line service manual.
     
    #6 bisco, Jun 3, 2018
  7. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    Your description sounds a lot more like an external leak than the ZG1 issue. Have you looked for signs of fluid under the car or on the underbody, maybe near where the recent work was done?

    -Chap
     
    #7 ChapmanF, Jun 3, 2018
  8. Mebeksis

    Mebeksis Junior Member

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    I dont see any signs, but it's been raining like crazy last couple days, so not sure. Spoke to someone at the shop where I had brake job done, they said if I can get it there, they will take a look at it.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    #8 Mebeksis, Jun 4, 2018
    Raytheeagle likes this.
  9. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    drive slowly.
     
    #9 bisco, Jun 4, 2018
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