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my 2010 is broken down

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Technical Discussion' started by seasidetraveler, Nov 5, 2010.

  1. Former Member 68813

    Former Member 68813 Senior Member

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    A follow up?
     
  2. seasidetraveler

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    It was taken out of the body shop and brought back to Toyota for an inspection by TMS (Toyota legal); was supposed to be this week but now it is next Wednesday. Glad I have another car!
     
  3. SW03ES

    SW03ES Senior Member

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    You'd be surprised, 12V battery failure is a very common occurrence in a new car. Sitting on a dealer lot, on a ship, being ported around is very hard on the battery, they become discharged, recharged, get jumped multiple times...
     
  4. seasidetraveler

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    It only sat for 45 minutes while at lunch
     
  5. SW03ES

    SW03ES Senior Member

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    Doesn't matter, if it has a bad cell or something the issues could be very sporadic and unpredictable.

    I had a bad cell in a brand new Toyota battery once. My symptoms included windshield wipers activating on their own...alternating headlamp failures. Weird stuff.
     
  6. seasidetraveler

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  7. seasidetraveler

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    UPDATE:

    I picked up the Prius Friday evening and have been driving it all weekend with no major issues to report. I haven't heard the results from the TMS legal inspection; my guess is they found nothing mechanically wrong :( The Toyota dealership didn't find anything when they scanned the computer so who knows. I REALLY hope this doesn't happen again. Without trying to sound dramatic, I am not sure how I feel about Toyota and their techs. This is my 7th Toyota and so far the only one I have really ever had trouble with, but seeing how Toyota has treated me in a time of need is really disheartening. My car now makes a "click" sound when I press on the brake but I am not sure if I should even bother taking it to a dealer that hasn't been any help; I am tired of taking off of work to waste time with idiots that tell me I don't know how to start my car.

    If they had actually found a problem with the car I would feel so much better right now; more confident in driving the car. But now whenever I am driving I'm scared that something else will happen and I will be right back where I was; stranded with no help from Toyota. I have 2 road trips planned in December and I am hoping the car will come through and not disappoint! I hate that I am afraid of driving a 3 month old car!

    When I picked up the car from the body shop they told me the little cap for the front bumper is missing; the little cap that covers the tow hook. The body shop removed the tow hook and put it back in the trunk, but the cap is nowhere to be found; they said it usually hangs from the bumper when the hook is in place; now I have to call Toyota to see if they will help me get a new one. Yay

    Sorry to be a "Debbie Downer" here but I am still so frazzled by the lack of "care" shown by Toyota; I thought my Prius came with "Toyota Care"? LOL
     
  8. spiderman

    spiderman wretched

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    ^ Make sure you document everything that happens (picture too). That way down the line if things get resolved you can send corporate a nasty gram or if they do not get resolved you can work the lemon-law route.

    Sorry to hear about the problems.
     
  9. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

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    Please bear with me, I need paragraphs:
    There is a 'race condition' between pushing POWER and the car becoming READY. In fact, there is a brief READY, READY off, and READY along with a race condition where shifting into "N" fast enough can suppress engine start. But this is an area where we don't have a good mapping of vehicle states.
    I will try to replicate various rapid shifts and POWER to see if I can replicate your symptom. This is not criticism but I have a distinct impression that this car works best if POWER is not rapidly followed by shifting operations.

    Do you tend to drive in "normal", "Eco" or "Power" mode? This may impact timing during the POWER -> READY -> shift state.

    Please understand there are intermittent problems that are highly dependent upon specific timing events. Finding a way to replicate these cases makes diagnosis possible.

    Bob Wilson
     
  10. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

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    Bob, thanks for your patience. When I see a big monolithic post, completely lacking paragraphs, I hit the Back button and move on. If people want help they should at least make a readable post.

    Tom
     
  11. PriusDaveF

    PriusDaveF New Member

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    I'm curious to know what the dealer found. Any update?

    Thanks.
     
  12. That_Prius_Car

    That_Prius_Car Austin Kinser

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    Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry to hear about what happened.
    I hope this unfortunate happening won't scare you away from buying new Prius' in the future! Things happen, hopefully, this will be the only issue you have.
     
  13. JamesBurke

    JamesBurke Senior Member

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    Fyi from the owners manual of the 2011 Lexus RX450h.
    Rush the sequence and you go nowhere fast.
    (New car in the parking lot, all $51k of it but I don't own it. I don't want to drive the Honda. Why do I always have to drive the Honda? :()

    Starting the hybrid system
    Check that the parking brake is set.
    Check that the shift lever is set in P.
    Firmly depress the brake pedal.
    The “POWER†switch indicator will turn green. If the indicator does not turn green, the hybrid system cannot be started.
    Press the “POWER†switch.
    After a while, the “READY†indicator comes on with a beep sound.
    The vehicle can move when the “READY†indicator is on even if the engine is stopped.
    Continue depressing the brake pedal until the hybrid system is completely started.
    The hybrid system can be started from any mode.
     

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  14. JamesBurke

    JamesBurke Senior Member

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    Still trolling through the Lexus manual. Will put a tread in the Lexus section when I get more experience with its operation.

    Your Toyota service center should have checked for a faulty "Power" switch or just replaced it under warranty. Weak battery or random interference affecting your wireless key? Cold weather slowed start system response and you just shifted into gear to fast?

    Sounds like your dealers service department isn't as qualified as they should be.

    If the hybrid system does not start
    The immobilizer system may not have been deactivated. (→P. 117)

    Operation of the “POWER” switch
    When operating the “POWER” switch, one short, firm press is enough. If the switch is pressed improperly, the hybrid system may not start or the “POWER” switch mode may not change. It is not necessary to press and hold the switch.

    Symptoms indicating a malfunction with the “POWER” switch
    If the “POWER” switch seems to be operating somewhat differently than usual, such as the switch sticking slightly, there may be a malfunction. Contact your Lexus dealer immediately.

    When the “POWER” switch indicator flashes in amber
    The system may be malfunctioning. Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer immediately.

    When the ambient temperature is low, such as during winter driving conditions
    It may take time until the “READY” indicator comes on.

    If the “READY” indicator does not come on when you press the “POWER” switch with the shift lever in P and the brake pedal depressed, contact your Lexus dealer immediately.

    Emergency start function
    When the hybrid system does not start, the following steps can be used as an interim measure to start the hybrid system if the “POWER” switch is functioning normally:
    Set the parking brake.
    Shift the shift lever to P.
    Turn the “POWER” switch to ACCESSORY mode.
    Press and hold the “POWER” switch for about 15 seconds while depressing the brake pedal firmly.
    Even if the hybrid system can be started using the above steps, the system may be malfunctioning. Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer
     
  15. JimN

    JimN Let the games begin!

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    My experience with a physically stuck shifter happened ~10 months earlier than yours however Toyota's SC "service" hasn't improved.

    I suspect you tried enough times that whatever it was got unstuck.

    The Evil Spirit that infested my car hasn't returned & I suspect yours won't either. Id keep Toyota's number handy as I told them that the next time it happens they are picking up the car.
     
  16. andyprius

    andyprius Senior Member

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    One of the reasons why I installed a cutoff switch.
     
  17. andyprius

    andyprius Senior Member

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    Many wierd gliches in electronics. Put in a cutoff switch, then rebooting is simple.
     
  18. phares_b

    phares_b New Member

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    How did you do this?
     
  19. Former Member 68813

    Former Member 68813 Senior Member

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    How did you get it unstuck?
     
  20. andyprius

    andyprius Senior Member

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    Sorry I did not see this. I bought a battery cut off switch at harbor freight for $4.00 and installed it in series with the battery ground wire. The type I got has a large red plastic key with it, to disconnect ( or reboot ) turn key and remove.:cheer2: OR: Was the question on rebooting?