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Hazard Lights Stuck On

Discussion in 'Prius v Technical Discussion' started by JesseT, Sep 15, 2020.

  1. JesseT

    JesseT Junior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 15, 2020
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    Location:
    Virginia
    Vehicle:
    2014 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Five
    Hi everyone,
    This is a long shot, since I've read about this issue in non-V Prius models and the fix seems elusive, but I figured I'd give it a shot before I bring it in. I ordered a relay, hoping that's was the issue, but according to this thread the V does not have one.

    Starting yesterday, the hazard lights on my Prius V are stuck on. They stay on if I turn the car off, and it does not respond if I push the hazard toggle button on the dash or try to use the turn signal. It just keeps flashing. It's a steady pace no matter how fast I drive the car.

    Here's what I've tried so far:
    Pulled Fuses
    1. Pulling the flasher fuse causes the lights to stop flashing, but the relay keeps clicking along inside the car.
    2. Pulled various other fuses to see if I could trace a short between two wires (there were some threads mentioning the ABS system). No other fuse caused the flashing to stop.

    Hooked up to TechStream
    1. Confirmed the software shows the hazard status as "on"
    2. Triggering a test on the turn signal caused the turn signal to turn on for a brief moment and the flasher to stop. (I didn't see any tests for the hazards themselves)

    Replaced the Battery
    Battery was reading 11.9v, and I found an obscure comment about a European safety feature that causes the hazards to flash when the battery 12v battery is about to die. Replaced with a new battery, which is reading much better, no different.

    Pulled the harness for the Hazard Button
    I don't know why I didn't do this first, but didn't realize how easy it was to pop that panel off. Removing the harness for the button and jiggling the wires made no difference. Keeps flashing away.

    If anyone else has run into this and have any advice (even if it's just to point a mechanic in the right direction), I will be forever grateful. Thanks!

    - Jesse
     
  2. JesseT

    JesseT Junior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 15, 2020
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    Location:
    Virginia
    Vehicle:
    2014 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Five
    Update on this, just in case someone runs into the same problem and the solution is the same. I took it in to the dealership this morning, and after popping off the dash they found a short in a wire coming off of the hazard switch. I was happy to pay the $300 to avoid having to pull the dash myself, looks brutal.
     
  3. Tim Jones

    Tim Jones Senior Member

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    Vehicle:
    2011 Nissan LEAF
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    ----USA----
    Never heard of this one..... I wonder where the blinker relay is. Is it making a clicking noise? What happens when you try the turn signals?
     
  4. Tim Jones

    Tim Jones Senior Member

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    Vehicle:
    2011 Nissan LEAF
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    Very strange.... are you the original owner? I wonder if the dash has been off before......
     
  5. JesseT

    JesseT Junior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 15, 2020
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    Location:
    Virginia
    Vehicle:
    2014 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Five
    Hi Tim,
    I'm not the original owner, so I think you're right. When I pulled off the panel that holds the hazard switch (and ignition switch, etc) I noticed that the tape on it looked like it had been handled before. So maybe had been removed at some point and not secured correctly so it has been rubbing against something?

    Now I've noticed I no longer have a green light on the power switch while driving (but it does still light up when in accessory mode?), but that I can live with.
     
    Tim Jones likes this.
  6. Tim Jones

    Tim Jones Senior Member

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    Location:
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    Vehicle:
    2011 Nissan LEAF
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    ----USA----
    That dash stuff is tricky especially if you haven't done it before. I remember when my ex girlfriend needed a new heater core (dash comes out) in her 2002 Jeep Liberty. She asked me and I said no thanks..... took it to the dealer and got the heater core in but her dome lights would come on when she used the turn signals....... I liked her but not that much to replace the core and mess with that dash.... I would do my own car but that's it.
     
    #6 Tim Jones, Sep 17, 2020
    Last edited: Sep 17, 2020
  7. tvpierce

    tvpierce Senior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 27, 2015
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    Location:
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    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Five
    Is there an aftermarket alarm or remote starter installed? Those tap into a lot of systems -- flashers being one of them.
     
  8. Kenny94945

    Kenny94945 Active Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
    Sausalito
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Four
    Interesting.
    "Short in wire coming off Haz Swth."
    Meaning? Wire was bare?

    If I understand, my question is:
    What did the wire rub on to cause the short?

    OEM positioning over many miles?
    Faulty reassembly and a pinch?

    In other words, is there any preventative maintenance suggested or is this failure from a not precise reassembly?