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Friend's Prius problem

Discussion in 'Newbie Forum' started by Pormoonman, Feb 6, 2011.

  1. Pormoonman

    Pormoonman New Member

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    I'm brand new to this chat site and I'm trying to help a friend with his 2001 Prius. He had the battery replaced by an independent shop. Inadvertently the key was left on for an extended length of time and the old battery was run down at this shop. They replaced the battery and charged the owner even though it was their mistake. Now, the car will run about 40 miles and then all the gages go hay-wire and the car stops. It will crank after an extended time has passed. The garage is telling him it need a new
    "main" cpu and the cost for it is $800 because it is only available from the dealer. Is he being given the correct information or is this garage trying to fleece him?
     
    #1 Pormoonman, Feb 6, 2011
  2. ItsNotAboutTheMoney

    ItsNotAboutTheMoney EditProfOptInfoCustomUser Title

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    Might be fleecing him, but it doesn't matter. If a garage makes a mistake and gets the customer to pay for it they and everybody else should go somewhere else.
     
    #2 ItsNotAboutTheMoney, Feb 6, 2011
  3. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    We need more info regarding "gages go hay-wire". Please be specific about which warning lights appear on the instrument panel and the multi-function display?

    Also, what DTC (diagnostic trouble codes) are logged by the car?

    If the car will run for a 40 mile distance, then I would question the need to replace any ECUs. More likely the car has an overheating problem, perhaps the inverter coolant pump has failed.
     
    #3 Patrick Wong, Feb 6, 2011
  4. Pormoonman

    Pormoonman New Member

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    There hasn't been any over temp warnings. Would the inverter coolant pump failure show up as a coolant over temp warning?
     
    #4 Pormoonman, Feb 6, 2011
  5. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    It may not.

    What warning lights do appear?
     
    #5 Patrick Wong, Feb 6, 2011
  6. Pormoonman

    Pormoonman New Member

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    It's random lights flashing and then the engine goes dead.
     
    #6 Pormoonman, Feb 6, 2011
  7. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    right.
     
    #7 bisco, Feb 6, 2011
  8. Ryanpl

    Ryanpl Active Member

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    I have a light titled random on my Prius. It's right next to my BS detector.
     
    #8 Ryanpl, Feb 6, 2011
  9. usbseawolf2000

    usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD

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    Picture, video or it did not happen. ;)
     
    #9 usbseawolf2000, Feb 6, 2011
  10. Bob64

    Bob64 Sapphire of the Blue Sky

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    perhaps they zapped the 12v inverter somehow? Battery runs down, and then causes funky stuff with lights. That or the replacement battery is bad.
     
    #10 Bob64, Feb 6, 2011
  11. twittel

    twittel Senior Member

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    Hmmm..."CPU and crank" sounds very trollish. And which battery, the 12V? Prius don't crank in the traditional ignitionn sense and what's with the CPU terminology?

    Oh, boy...here we go...
     
    #11 twittel, Feb 7, 2011
  12. Guy in WNY

    Guy in WNY Junior Member

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    Pretty fishy alright. Prius does not "crank" when you "put the key in" (Does 2001 have a key FOB? What about keyless?) in the dash slot every time, it depends on a number of factors.
    So, you're telling us somebody put the key fob in the dash slot and pressed the "Start" button and went away? Is that it?
     
    #12 Guy in WNY, Feb 7, 2011
  13. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    If the problem is indeed the random appearance of warning lights, then I cannot offer you any suggestions other than to have a local Toyota dealer confirm the problem and provide a diagnosis. If you can identify specific warning lights being on, then perhaps we can comment.

    Classic Prius has a traditional key and ignition key slot. You twist the key to unlock the steering column and move through the various operating states: IG-OFF, ACC-ON, IG-ON, and READY. The key has an RFID head that communicates with the immobilizer ECU. There is no fob.

    I think that some of our members have their troll sensitivity set to a very high level. It is not reasonable to expect that a new poster will use the very specific terminology that regulars are familiar with.
     
    #13 Patrick Wong, Feb 7, 2011
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