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2013 Gen 3 90k. Brake trouble lights.

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by chuckiechan, Jun 27, 2022.

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  1. chuckiechan

    chuckiechan Member

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    I had an earlier post where brakes were acting like a warped rotor. Didn’t diagnose. now I have trouble lights kazoo and something is and feels obviously wrong.
    I see no obvious signs of fluid leakage on the inner rims. Reservoir is slightly below “add”,
    Photos attached.
    I can’t do much until tomorrow & I’ll pull all four tires & put on jack stands. I won’t dissemble without advise & I caught the warning about disconnecting the batt before going too far.
    Thanks in advance.
     

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    #1 chuckiechan, Jun 27, 2022
  2. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    Well your fluid is very low so you might want to see if your brake pads are down to ZERO. That would be a good reason why the brake fluid is that low.
     
    #2 JC91006, Jun 27, 2022
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  3. chuckiechan

    chuckiechan Member

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    Would it suck air at that point? The machinery running the brakes sounds and feels funny.
    I hope to take the wheels off tonight or tomorrow.
     
    #3 chuckiechan, Jun 27, 2022
  4. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    You can potentially run into issues when the brake fluid is below the "add" line. But looking at your picture, I don't think that level is low enough to cause a problem. However, when you drive up or down an incline, the level may change and that's why there is an "add" line to prevent issues.

    These cars also have issues with the brake actuator/booster ($2000+ repair), so hopefully that's not what you're experiencing. If you are having problems with that, then pray that you have less than 150k miles on your car. Toyota has an extended warranty for this repair, up to 10 years and 150k miles.
     
    #4 JC91006, Jun 27, 2022
  5. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    whee there are lights, there are codes. don't bother with all the phisical labor before starting the mental part.
     
    #5 bisco, Jun 27, 2022
  6. chuckiechan

    chuckiechan Member

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    I think I will pull the wheels off tomorrow and do a visual, and hope the dealer honors it. If everything is dry it has to be the booster right. Pushing down the brake when the engine is off kind of makes a “whoosh” sound.
     
    #6 chuckiechan, Jun 27, 2022
  7. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    If you have less than 150k miles and the codes point to the brake booster, then you pretty much hit the lottery and get a free repair.
     
    #7 JC91006, Jun 27, 2022
  8. chuckiechan

    chuckiechan Member

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    As you can see I have ABS light on, auto track* (car with squiggle lines) and “Brake”.
    *which I don’t even know if I have.

    (my pit crew is OTW.)

    About that booster sound?
     
    #8 chuckiechan, Jun 27, 2022
  9. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    dealer will read the codes, charge you if it's not covered, free if it is. don't bring it in with low brake fluid
     
    #9 bisco, Jun 27, 2022
  10. chuckiechan

    chuckiechan Member

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    Is it DOT 3 or 4?
     
    #10 chuckiechan, Jun 27, 2022
  11. chuckiechan

    chuckiechan Member

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    #11 chuckiechan, Jun 27, 2022
  12. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    You can use either 3 or 4. Dot 3 is what came with the car.

    If you're going to fill it, just fill to the middle of the "add and full" marks. Don't fill all the way to the top. As you change your brake pads, that fluid will need somewhere to go
     
    #12 JC91006, Jun 27, 2022
  13. douglasjre

    douglasjre Senior Member

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    Don't make this more difficult than it is. Just add fluid. It has a level gauge. Just put fluid men
     
    #13 douglasjre, Jun 27, 2022
  14. chuckiechan

    chuckiechan Member

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    I read the codes, see attached. ABS Code C 1391.
    But now all of a sudden the problem went away. Maybe with the photo of the dash and the code the dealer my do it under warranty… or is that like finding a unicorn in my back yard?
     
    #14 chuckiechan, Jun 27, 2022
    Last edited: Jun 27, 2022
  15. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    Well with that code, you get a free replacement. Whatever you do now, don't erase the codes. They are stored and Toyota Techs are retrieve them.....unless you delete it
     
    #15 JC91006, Jun 27, 2022
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  16. douglasjre

    douglasjre Senior Member

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    Is the letter c in front of 1391? You have to be complete and thorough in what you provide for information. C1391 by my records is a bad accumulator. 10 years or 150,000 mi is the max on the TSB that will replace the booster accumulator and ABS controller. Are there any other codes I didn't think to ask about?
     
    #16 douglasjre, Jun 27, 2022
  17. chuckiechan

    chuckiechan Member

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    It is C 1391… don’t know how I fat fingered that! .
     
    #17 chuckiechan, Jun 27, 2022
  18. chuckiechan

    chuckiechan Member

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    6/28 update
    The service person found the extended warranty, and I’m bringing it in Thursday.
    I’ll follow up when it is resolved. Thanks for all your help. I wound not have known!
     
    #18 chuckiechan, Jun 28, 2022
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  19. chuckiechan

    chuckiechan Member

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    Good news: They accepted the repair. Bad news: parts are two + weeks out. I prefer not to drive and cause an accident. Karma’s radar knows just when to fail!
     
    #19 chuckiechan, Jun 30, 2022
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  20. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    a lot of people are waiting. toyota should be paying for rentals as well.
     
    #20 bisco, Jun 30, 2022
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