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MFD Appearance

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by Isaac Sonntag, Feb 18, 2021.

  1. Isaac Sonntag

    Isaac Sonntag Junior Member

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    Hello everyone! Can anybody tell me why the appearance of the MFD varies between cars (even ones of the same year). I have a 2008 base model, and the MFD still has that dated look to it (squared off buttons, not as nice of colors). I have seen 2008's with a "newer" looking display (rounded buttons, nicer colors). What I want to know is if this is a software update to the display (via a CD or something), or if this is actually a different display. Why the difference between cars of the same year? I have attached a picture of what my current display looks like, and also a picture of what I'd want it to look like. Thanks!
     

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    #1 Isaac Sonntag, Feb 18, 2021
  2. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    For your year, those without a backup camera had the older MFD screens and those with a backup camera had the newer one.
     
    #2 Tideland Prius, Feb 18, 2021
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  3. Isaac Sonntag

    Isaac Sonntag Junior Member

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    Thanks for the response! If (or rather when) my MFD ever goes kaput, would I be able to replace it with the newer display? Would it be compatible? Thanks!
     
    #3 Isaac Sonntag, Feb 18, 2021
  4. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Hmm, I actually don’t know if they’re compatible. Logic would seem that they should be (I.e. plugs are the same).

    It’s not software but hardware that’s different (the resolution of the newer MFD is higher so it’s not just the layout or the icons that differ).

    @Elektroingenieur or @bwilson4web , any idea?
     
    #4 Tideland Prius, Feb 18, 2021
  5. Isaac Sonntag

    Isaac Sonntag Junior Member

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    I would assume that it should be fully functional (minus the backup camera), but then again you never know, it's a Prius;)
     
    #5 Isaac Sonntag, Feb 18, 2021
  6. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Yes it should.

    Haha. That is true.
     
    #6 Tideland Prius, Feb 18, 2021
  7. TMR-JWAP

    TMR-JWAP Senior Member

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    As a direct swap... absolutely NOT. If you take the low res plugs and insert them into the hi-res socket, they will fit perfect. Unfortunately, the 'power' wires are different between the models and you WILL smoke the hi res MFD. Literally, smoke will roll out of it. I have a low res test cable and a hi res test cable on my test bench. Twice, I've been distracted while grabbing the cable and used the wrong one. Smoke...rolls....out ...from the top of the MFD and another one bites the dust.

    It could be possible to rearrange the wires on the plug to make it work, if you really try.
     
    #7 TMR-JWAP, Feb 18, 2021
    Tideland Prius and SFO like this.
  8. Isaac Sonntag

    Isaac Sonntag Junior Member

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    Thanks for the info! I'll take your word for it since you seem to have experience blowing them out lol!
     
    #8 Isaac Sonntag, Feb 18, 2021
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