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Gen 1 help getting to gear shifter.

Discussion in 'Generation 1 Prius Discussion' started by mauibowler, Jan 31, 2020.

  1. mauibowler

    mauibowler New Member

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    2001 Prius
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    I
    Hi Everyone,

    I just got blessed with a free Generation 1 Prius. It is a 2001 and it had 134,000 miles on it. I am having the problem with the gear shifter not staying in park without applying the emergency brake. I see from the other threads it is probably the bushing on the shifter. My problem is that I am not sure how to get to the shifter so I can check on the bushing.

    Do I really have to remove the steering wheel to get the bottom dash panel off by the shifter? Unfortunately I am in a financial situation that stops me from affording the manuals right now. My husband is totally disabled, and we just found out our service dog has a tumor on his heart. So finances right now are tight.

    I will also need to change out the multi function screen out as it looks the screen has black magic marker between the glass and the screen. Guess the Hawaiian sun did its thing to the screen. Thank you Chapman for the video on removing the center finish dash. I would have taken your challenge, but the dash has already been broken by one of the previous owners. Hopefully, I can not do any more damage thanks to your instructions.

    Thank you in advance for your assistance.
     
  2. mauibowler

    mauibowler New Member

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    2001 Prius
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    Well the center finish dash broke into about a million pieces when I was removing it today to get to the multi display screen to see what number it is so I can get a replacement.

    So I gather no one knows how to get the bottom dash off from below the steering wheel and the gear shifter? I really need to get to the gear shifter to see if it indeed a bushing that is keeping it from not rolling in park.

    Really would appreciate some insight.

    Thanks.
    Mauibowler
     
  3. dolj

    dolj Senior Member

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    Maybe @ChapmanF will have some time to advise you.
     
    mauibowler likes this.
  4. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    This is the first I've seen of this thread, sorry.

    Lower finish panel is held by the hood release lever (two screws), two more screws (hex head at the lower right corner, Phillips at the lower left, which is concealed by the left cowl trim, which has to come out first), then by clips at the upper left and upper right, where it pulls straight out. The little boot around the shifter also has to be unzipped.

    The left cowl trim is held by the door scuff plate, which pulls straight up, and by one funny plastic nut-like thing pretty far forward toward the firewall. Pictures are on page BO-59 through BO-62 in the 2001 US repair manual. (I'm not sure if the online version uses page numbers.)

    It's worth remembering that when you start a thread like this, you're essentially saying "will somebody who isn't me look this up in the manual please?"

    And pretty often on PriusChat somebody will, because we like being helpful, but getting peevish when nobody has jumped to it as fast as you'd like probably isn't necessary.

    Edit: I read your first post more carefully and recognized some of the stress you are under. I don't know about Maui, but maybe some of the information Elektroingenieur compiled about alternate avenues for access to the manuals would be of help.
     
    #4 ChapmanF, Feb 2, 2020
    Last edited: Feb 2, 2020
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  5. mauibowler

    mauibowler New Member

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    Thank you Chapman for your reply. I truly appreciate your help. The first thing I usually do is buy a manual for the vehicle that we have. Unfortunately, because almost all of our money goes for rent, my husband's and our service dog's medical expenses, right now I could not afford the manual. I did do some research, but I guess I missed where I could get to see any free manuals online right now.

    If I offended anyone, I truly apologize. I try to research any repair I am doing to our vehicles as I do not want to mess things up. Right now I am under an unbelievable amount of stress as I have been sick myself , my husband being bedbound, and our furbaby being diagnosed with a tumor on his heart.
    I am trying to do the best I can.

    Again, I apologize if I seemed peevish.

    Sincerely,
    Bessie aka Mauibowler
     
  6. mauibowler

    mauibowler New Member

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    Thank you dolj. Mauibowler
     
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  7. Josey

    Josey Active Member

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    I too am thus far lacking a repair manual, despite needing one. The Haynes manuals are sometimes worse than nothing (incorrect, incomplete, and inaccurate info all over. I just wrecked some caliper slide pins on a different car because of incorrect torque specs in a Haynes manual). Factory manuals tend to be too expensive for me too.

    However, I did recently come across this: PRIUS 2001 2002 2003 FACTORY SERVICE REPAIR MANUAL | eBay

    $10 and it's delivered rapidly in pdf format. I can't vouch for it as I haven't ordered it. I'm inquiring as to whether it truly is a factory service manual rather than some hack, knock-off of one (like a Haynes). I know that even just $10 can be a burden when you're truly strapped, but maybe you could eke that out. If I can verify the validity of the product I'll let you know.
     
    #7 Josey, Feb 4, 2020
    Last edited: Feb 4, 2020
  8. WHCSC

    WHCSC Member

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    Wow! Looking at the prices for hard copies on there I think my manuals are worth more than my Prius. :eek: