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Dash not coming on?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Technical Discussion' started by KitsuneVoss, Jan 2, 2024.

  1. KitsuneVoss

    KitsuneVoss Member

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    I am sure this has been covered before but did not find anything in my searching.

    My personal car is a 2009 Prius and had trouble last night getting the dash to come on. The usual tricks did not work. I don't know what I did but after five minutes or so was able to get it to come on.

    My understanding is that it is almost always a certain 100 microfarad capacitor which Toyota now replaces with a new instrument cluster with a 220 microfarad capacitor in that place. There are multiple videos online of people either replacing the original capacitor or piggybacking a second one.

    I went ahead and ordered a set of five 220 microfarad 16 volt volt capacitors from Amazon. They are like $6. I was taught to solder 35 years ago but have never soldered since and am concerned that I cannot do it safely. Looking up online "electronics repair", you get repair of computers and cell phone screen repair. Most just do component replacement.

    Any suggestions on what to look for? Who could do the work?
    Also how much does Toyota charge for replacing the whole board?
     
  2. TMR-JWAP

    TMR-JWAP Senior Member

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  3. Buckinghambob

    Buckinghambob Junior Member

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  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    you could look for an electronics repair service, computers, etc.
    toyota gets around a grand for labor, but i don't think they will repair it, just put in a new one.
    if you buy a rebuilt, most places still want close to a grand due to the compexity of removal and replacement.
     
  5. KitsuneVoss

    KitsuneVoss Member

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    Your post is empty
     
  6. KitsuneVoss

    KitsuneVoss Member

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    That is not a bad idea actually. It is not that much money and allows me to retain mine until I can get a replacement.
    Waiting for a couple of payment first unless it gets to the stage of not working at ll.
     
  7. KitsuneVoss

    KitsuneVoss Member

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    I will likely pull the board myself and then replace it. There are quite a number of videos showing how it is done. Just need to disconnect the 12 v first I assume?
     
  8. Buckinghambob

    Buckinghambob Junior Member

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    The real issue/expense with the cap repair is taking out the dashboard, guessing you'd spend a couple hundred on that alone.

    The cap replacement seems pretty straight forward, use a low temperature iron, and do a couple test runs first. One trick I saw was crushing the old cap with pliers while it's still on the board, that greatly speeds removal of the wires left over and replacement with the new cap much easier.

    also, it looks like ebay has some sellers doing the repair,you send in your board, and they replace it about 40$, but again, you still have the dash to remove and then reinstall
     
  9. KitsuneVoss

    KitsuneVoss Member

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    I have found a number of videos on YouTube and while removing ti looks like a bit of a pain, it does not look impossible.
     
  10. CombinationMeterChris

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    Yes, it is just time consuming and removing the dash vents without breaking them is tricky. I do this service for people in Southern California for $150 total if I remove the dash and $50 if they bring me the combination meter but it looks like you are on the east coast. Yes, disconnect the negative terminal of the 12v battery before you start as you will be disconnecting the passenger side airbag when you remove the dash. You can just grab the old capacitor with pliers and twist and it will break off at the solder points. Just make sure the negative side of the new capacitor is facing toward you (away from the cluster display)
     
  11. mr_guy_mann

    mr_guy_mann Senior Member

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    Just lots of small steps to the process. Take pics of everything, esp all electrical connectors. Nothing is more of a pain than to get it all back together then realize you overlooked a plug then have to pull things apart again.

    I would also recommend subbing the board repair out. Not that difficult, but you don't want to be practicing on a part you can't easily do without if mistakes are made.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
  12. KitsuneVoss

    KitsuneVoss Member

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    My semi-debate is that my dash is still working. Seems a lot of work while the usual tricks still work. I guess I will see the next time it happens. At least I have a bookmark of a seller who will ship you a replacement display for minimal down time.
     
  13. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    I only played that game with my washing machine for about a week before I bit the bullet and changed that capacitor. Way too annoying to play games with it.

    Of course the game I really hated was the one where it lost its place midway through the cycle and left me a load of soggy sudsy clothes.
     
  14. Carall

    Carall Member

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    Where are you in Virginia?
     
  15. KitsuneVoss

    KitsuneVoss Member

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    Gloucester. I can drive anywhere in Virginia if it would help.

    I am sorry, I was gone for a while because my sister died and had to go up to New Hampshire for her wake and deal with other issues involving her. .
     
    #15 KitsuneVoss, Jan 21, 2024
    Last edited: Jan 21, 2024
  16. Carall

    Carall Member

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    You are about 3 hours away from me. I could only help with repairing the сombination meter at this time.
    The dash vent with the parking button must be warmed up before removing. If prius is from the hot sunny south they break like potato chips.
     
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  17. KitsuneVoss

    KitsuneVoss Member

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    So run an electric heater in the car for a while? Wait until summer and park it in the sun?
     
  18. Carall

    Carall Member

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    The cheapest Harbor Freight heat gun does it all. In order to do this you'll need a warm garage or warmer days.
     
  19. KitsuneVoss

    KitsuneVoss Member

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    So I need to use a heat gun where the silver trim where the vent and parking button is? Just heat it up so it is softer?
     
  20. PriuSocal

    PriuSocal Junior Member

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    I had a similar issue on mine and I usually just disconnect the battery for 1 minute then reconnect it and dash works all over again. I heard its a sign of a failing combo meter