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2011 brake accumulator runs every 60 seconds

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Technical Discussion' started by mattbatson, Jul 8, 2019.

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  1. mattbatson

    mattbatson Member

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    so I just bought this car and have not put a lot of miles on it yet

    I have a 2009 and they had issues with brake accumulators going out ...and mine failed just before the extended warranty of dec 2017 (lucky for me!)

    Do the 2011’s still have this issue?

    I know some 2010’s do...

    So I go for a short drive and park it in the garage. Running...the accumulator buzzed for about 2-3 seconds every 60 seconds.
    Almost like clock work

    If I turn the car off but am still standing near it with key fob the exact same thing happens

    So
    My question is...is this out of the normal with regards to frequency of the accumulator turning on?

    Thanks

    Matt
     
    #1 mattbatson, Jul 8, 2019
  2. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    are you sure it's the accumulator?
     
    #2 PriusCamper, Jul 8, 2019
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  3. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    I've never heard of it running with the car off
     
    #3 bisco, Jul 8, 2019
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  4. AzWxGuy

    AzWxGuy Weather Guy

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    Mine has never done that, but it does run and pressurize when the drivers door is opened as it should. I received a Customer Support Program Notification - ZJB in the mail a while ago from Toyota concerning the brake booster and brake booster pump assemblies. From what I've read, I think I'm still covered. They mention two types of coverage, Primary until 8/31/2021 regardless of mileage and Secondary which is for 10 years or 150,000 miles from date of first use, which ever comes first. I'm definitely out of the secondary block. My mileage is just over 212K now, and it's still performing within design specifications. Purposely described in this manner to NOT invite judgement by Murphy and his corollaries.
     
    #4 AzWxGuy, Jul 8, 2019
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  5. mattbatson

    mattbatson Member

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    Thank you for your response

    I really appreciate it

    so if you are sitting and play in the car idle with the car in park are you saying that the brake accumulator never charges? When the brake accumulator went on my 2009...it got to the point where it would turn on like every 10 or 15 seconds

    So I’m wondering if every 60 seconds is excessive?

    If I took it into the dealer I’m pretty sure they would turn me down if looking for a brake accumulator replacement under warranty...
    They ran it for any codes a month ago and nothing came up related to the brake accumulator...

    I’ll keep trying google...
     
    #5 mattbatson, Jul 8, 2019
  6. CR94

    CR94 Senior Member

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    What does that mean?
     
    #6 CR94, Jul 8, 2019
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  7. mattbatson

    mattbatson Member

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    Yes
     
    #7 mattbatson, Jul 9, 2019
  8. AzWxGuy

    AzWxGuy Weather Guy

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    Under normal operation of the vehicle I hear the brake accumulator charge after 3-4 braking operations. No brake pedal excursions, no charging. If yours is charging every minute without using the brake, that's a problem for sure. This charging by the way is analogous to maintaining vacuum in the vacuum booster of a regular vehicle power brake system. Since the Prius ICE isn't running and maintaining a vacuum all the time, another system was devised to provide reliable power braking.
     
    #8 AzWxGuy, Jul 10, 2019
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  9. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

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    I’ve always heard driving a Prius is a boring car, but playing in the Prius while on park, now that one takes home The cake.
     
    #9 Grit, Jul 10, 2019
    Last edited: Jul 10, 2019
  10. mattbatson

    mattbatson Member

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    Thanks for that... and is what I figured

    I thought the only big problem with 3 rd gens was the head gasket/egr clog...
    Now I find out the 3 rd gens have the brake accumulator issue just like the 2 nd gens

    Another huge ticket item

    The money I save in gas just doesn’t add up for me
    Not even close

    I think I’ll sell the third gen that I just bought and keep my second gen and go find a normal non hybrid for my “secondary” car

    Thanks all for the help

    And good luck with your third gens.
     
    #10 mattbatson, Jul 10, 2019
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  11. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i think that's a good plan. prius wasn't designed to save money, it was designed to save the trees
     
    #11 bisco, Jul 10, 2019
  12. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

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    When was the last brake fluid flush done?
     
    #12 Grit, Jul 10, 2019
  13. mattbatson

    mattbatson Member

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    Actually have no idea

    Bought it used

    Would that solve a leaking accumulator though?
     
    #13 mattbatson, Jul 10, 2019
  14. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    Sounds like there's nothing wrong... Based on your description it sounds like the only issue you have is the accumulator issues with your previous car which makes you paranoid about having the same problem with this car. Rest assured this issue is uncommon and the odds are very low you'd have the same problem with a different car. So just relax and don't worry about it. If you are worried and can't let it go... Google search "priuschat brake accumulator" and read every thread that talks about that issue and become an expert on it so you can understand every detail of why not to worry about it.
     
    #14 PriusCamper, Jul 10, 2019
  15. mattbatson

    mattbatson Member

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    I have done a lot of reading on the subject

    It seems my best bet...if I really wanted assurances...is to take a video and post it up

    I think explaining it on here is difficult to say the least

    Will do that in a couple of days as I’m elbow deep in the egr cooler clean now...
     
    #15 mattbatson, Jul 10, 2019
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  16. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    waiting...
     
    #16 bisco, Jul 20, 2019
  17. mattbatson

    mattbatson Member

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    Went on a vacation. Car is still in the garage

    Should be running by Tuesday

    At which point I’ll take a video
     
    #17 mattbatson, Jul 20, 2019
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  18. mattbatson

    mattbatson Member

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    I’m uploading a video

    It pretty much shows exactly what I had described

    Went out to the car

    Opened door and brake accumulator came on

    Sat down and started the car

    After about two minutes turned it off

    Stood at the front of the car and listened as the accurate on every 60 seconds

    Car was completely off
     
    #18 mattbatson, Jul 23, 2019
  19. mattbatson

    mattbatson Member

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    #19 mattbatson, Jul 23, 2019
  20. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    what happens if you take the fob as far away as possible?

    i'm surprised that there is power to it with the car off.
     
    #20 bisco, Jul 23, 2019
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