ABS problem

i would start at the fuse box and trace the wiring to the wheel if you have voltage after the fuse

 

Perhaps the sensor is bad???

 

you need the wiring diagram: 'techinfo.toyota.com'

 

I have the same issue, and it’s still somewhat unresolved. Took my car to my mechanic twice; first to be told I’d have to replace the pump, master cylinder , and actuator, and then would need to go somewhere that could reprogram the actuator, costing somewhere between $5k (dealership) or $2500 (mechanic with a computer that can do the programming). While figuring out if I wanted to spend that on a car with 178000 miles, I noticed the lights would go on and off again. When the lights went back off, everything worked fine. The variance between coming on and going off could range from just a few minutes to almost a month without issue. When I took the car back, and after they confirmed it wasn’t an ABS sensor, they recommended that when the lights were off and car functioning properly I “exercise” the ABS system by going to a gravel lot somewhere and work the brakes to activate the ABS about four to six times, once every week or two…they basically said “go do donuts in a gravel lot somewhere once a week”! Lol. They said it was not an exact science, but the best advice they found other than replacing the whole expensive system…so far it seems to have helped lessen the occurrence of the lights coming on, and making the duration they stay on for shorter. Wild.

So aside from doing donuts, I’m still facing a $2500 bill for a car I was hoping to pass onto my teenager soon.

So I have a couple questions to add here:
#1 Has anyone else heard of this “doing donuts” advice?
#2 Any idea if there’s a version of Techstream out there that could reprogram the actuator if I were able to install the parts myself (or get an experienced mechanic to do it on the side…)?

Much Thanks!

 

The donuts thing is goofy.

About the only "reprogramming" needed after changing an actuator is to bleed it (Techstream is needed for that), and it will probably want to learn its linear solenoid offset, which requires nothing from you except saying "ok, do that", which there's even a non-Techstream way of saying (but as you need Techstream around for the bleeding anyway, may as well say it that way.)

 

Hello
All the abs cylinder Prius 2010 though 2015 are the same?

Or there’s specific for the VIN?

 

A couple of thoughts:

Their advice has nothing to do with "doing donuts".
Exercising the ABS would involve "wheel locked" panic stops.
That could be accomplished in an empty parking lot when the pavement is wet.
The speed doesn't have to be THAT high.

Then, given the potential dollar amount, it might be worth it to pay for a diagnosis at a real Toyota shop.
You are assuming that "your mechanic" made an accurate assessment.