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help! Broken down Prius in Mexico

Discussion in 'Newbie Forum' started by vecino, Aug 6, 2008.

  1. vecino

    vecino New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 23, 2008
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    Location:
    san miguel de allende mexico
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    My 2005 Prius (the only car I have ever loved) gave me an error message ABS telling me to get to a level place to reset the brake. There are no level places in San Miguel de Allende. It wouldn't turn off, and the battery ran totally out.

    I had thought the Toyota dealer in Queretaro would work on hybrids, but I was told they don't sell them, work on them, or honor the warranty. Is my only solution to drive to the border and sell it? We live permanently here and have no plans to return to the US.
     
    #1 vecino, Aug 6, 2008
  2. mingoglia

    mingoglia Member

    Joined:
    Oct 25, 2007
    846
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    Location:
    Gilbert, AZ
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Is it possible to have it towed to a border town with a Toyota dealership?
     
    #2 mingoglia, Aug 6, 2008
  3. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Nov 26, 2003
    19,891
    1,192
    9
    Location:
    Nixa, MO
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Ran which battery down?
    Why couldn't you shut off...what happened, what did you try? did you disconnect the 12v battery to try to shut it down? Did you try pulling the dome fuse? Did you try holding in the start button continuously for 10 seconds?

    Were you experiencing any abnormalities prior to the error code?
    Do you have access to a tool to pull the codes from the CAN-bus?
    What happens now when you try to start up?
     
    #3 efusco, Aug 6, 2008
  4. ranchogirl

    ranchogirl New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 8, 2008
    235
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    Location:
    Southern California
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Have it towed to the dealership where you bought your car or call around to different dealerships that will work on them. I don't know where in Mexico you are, but I'd bet that dealerships in larger cities will be more likely to be willing to work on it.

    BTW, they ALL have to honor the warranty if they are a franchised dealership (which it is if it has "Toyota" in the name). Doesn't mean they know how to fix it, though.
     
    #4 ranchogirl, Aug 6, 2008
  5. rfruth

    rfruth Member

    Joined:
    May 4, 2008
    394
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    Location:
    Houston, Tx
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Prius = new school - Mexico = old school (wouldn't mind living there) but a Corolla is high tech there so sell the Prius & get a old F150 :)
     
    #5 rfruth, Aug 6, 2008
  6. tochatihu

    tochatihu Senior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 10, 2004
    9,060
    3,529
    0
    Location:
    Kunming Yunnan China
    Vehicle:
    2001 Prius
    I'm guessing that the 12 volt battery is discharged, and temporarily you can use any other 12 volt battery (that size or larger) to start the car. Be very careful to connect the polarity correctly!

    If it cannot be driven and there is no local repair, then I suppose you have to think about a flat-bed truck to Queretaro. If not there, then Mexico City.

    Buena suerte and let us know your progress.
     
    #6 tochatihu, Aug 6, 2008
  7. Sandy

    Sandy Hippi Chick

    Joined:
    Apr 28, 2009
    860
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    Location:
    Ocala,Fl
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    yep......agreed.
     
    #7 Sandy, Jun 22, 2009
  8. spitinuri

    spitinuri Member

    Joined:
    May 23, 2008
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    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Agreed. This is typical 12v battery behavior.
     
    #8 spitinuri, Jun 22, 2009
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