Odd problems in the MFD

Is it this message?
"CAUTION: Shift the position into range [P] when parking. The batteries will not charge if the transmission is in neutral [N]."

It is in the owner's manual, but not explained quite as simply as "driver's door ajar..." See page 14 of the US Toyota Prius owner's manual, Section 1-2 "Features on New Toyota Vehicle," Toyota Hybrid System, Precautions for use, which shows the display screen message in a diagram.

However, the manual does not specifically state that the message comes on if you open the driver's door and the car is not in Park. What it does say:
<quote>
When the multi~Vinformation display shows this message, the master warning light (red triangle with exclamation point in it) comes on in the instrument cluster. Read the message and follow the instruction.
^A When you leave your vehicle, or stop or park for a while, put the hybrid transaxle in "P".
^A Charging is necessary. In "N", charging will not be applied. The electric generator operates in "P", "D" or "B". If you continue driving, put the hybrid transaxle in "D" or "B" and depress the accelerator pedal. Do not leave the hybrid transaxle in "N". When driving in traffic jam, operate in "D".
</quote>

and on the previous page, page 13:
<quote>
Be sure to put the hybrid transaxle in "P" when parking.

In "N", the hybrid vehicle battery assembly is not charged, even if the gasoline engine is operating. You cannot run your vehicle if the hybrid transaxle is left in "N" for a long time because the hybrid vehicle battery assembly will be discharged.

When you leave your vehicle, apply the parking brake to put the hybrid transaxle in "P" and be sure to carry the key with you and lock all the doors.

If you leave the hybrid system in "ACC" or "IG~VON", the hybrid system may not start because the auxiliary battery will be discharged.

[in a yellow box]
CAUTION
^A When you leave your vehicle, be sure to shut off the hybrid system.
^A Be sure to put the hybrid transaxle in "P" because the vehicle can start with the "READY" light on and the engine stopped (no engine sound and vibration). When the "READY" light is on, if you leave your vehicle in shift position other than "P" and "N", the vehicle will creep and start abruptly with the accelerator pedal being depressed by mistake. This may cause death or serious injury.
</quote>

and there's a brief mention of the warning's appearance (but not the cause) in the later Section 2-5, "Operation of Instruments and Controls", "Gauges, Meters and Service reminder indicators," "Service reminder indicators and warning buzzers," page 121:
<quote>
(e) Master Warning Light (red triangle with exclamation point in it)
If the master warning light comes on, the warning light for the faulty system is highlighted or the message such as "Shift the position into range "P" when parking." and "The batteries will not charge, if the transmission is in Neutral N." appears on the multi~Vinformation display. (See "Service reminder indicators and warning buzzers~W~WMulti~Vinformation display" on page 124 or "Precautions for use" on page 12 or "Fuel gauge" on page 114 for instructions.)
</quote>

 

I do get the random outdoor temperature to pop up on upper section of the MFD and I haven't been able to figure out why. It happens so fast and randomly I can never get a picture of it.

 

I haven't touched a thing.

 

Sounds like an erratic connection in the MFD somewhere, or noise on one of the buses.

You could try accessing the MFD diagnostics mode - details here (scroll right down past the description of the battery until you see the MFD display), stop when you get into the first diagnostics screen. It does a variety of tests and checks for stored diagnostics. You can then tap LAN Mon to get it to monitor the various connections into the MFD.

Potentially it could also be the gateway ECU playing up: this interprets the various information on other buses, and passes it on to the MFD's AVC-LAN bus.

If the indicator on the first screen displays CHEK, on a yellow background, against a component, it indicates a currently-stored DTC of a 'check' type. You can tap the CHEK indicator to see the details of the DTC. If it shows EXCH, there's a stored 'replace' type DTC which suggests the component should be replaced. 'Old' indicates a previously-stored DTC. 'NCON' indicates a device that was seen previously but isn't responding, and 'NRES' indicates a device that is responding generally but didn't respond to the request for stored DTCs.

 

The temp reading pops up for a short while when the outside temp changes. This is normal.

 

The prius will warn you when the temperature drops to 37 degrees. That is the temperature at which "black ice" begins to form on the roadways. Other than that temperature, I don't know of any other time the display will briefly show the temperature.

 

"CAUTION - Transmission "P" lock mechanism is abnormal. Park in a flat place and apply brake."




THIS IS WHAT YOU ARE GETING, RIGHT
?

 

I'm no expert but I would try driving the car with after market accessories removed, I bet that fixes the problem. Toyota spent millions making sure their system works, I suspect the after market manufacturers spend less than 10,000 making sure their system works. Which would you think is playing up? Most times when I read about these odd events regarding the MFD the person has some after market non genuine device plugged into it or the radio.