1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Computer Glitch

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by madlib, Apr 18, 2012.

  1. madlib

    madlib Recent Convert

    Joined:
    Apr 17, 2012
    3
    0
    0
    Location:
    Long Beach, California
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    I Bought a 2007 Prius Touring from a Toyota Dealer a couple of weeks ago. Averaging 50 mpg on two tanks so far, lots of HWY driving. Love it.

    A few days ago, however, I noticed a possible computer or software glitch where my display infrequently (or sometimes) erratically switches from Consumption to Energy Monitor and toggles between the two without me touching anything. The glitch is not consistent with every start or drive, but it has been able to present itself during use of the backup camera and during navigation, rendering nav pretty much useless.

    Before I schedule a service appointment, has anyone seen this type of computer behavior OR is there a way to reset/update the software that would be affecting this?

    New to forum, sorry for any faux pas, checked the search for this topic. Nada.
     
    #1 madlib, Apr 18, 2012
  2. KK6PD

    KK6PD _ . _ . / _ _ . _

    Joined:
    Mar 24, 2008
    4,003
    944
    118
    Location:
    Los Angeles Foothills
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    If you are sure you are not bumping the steering wheel button for that function, it may be loose and doing it itself. with the car parked, just lightly touch that switch, and watch the screen. If you can tap around the switch area, or the switch takes an unnecessary light touch to change the MFD screen, that switch could be bad! You can also switch on the MFD screen, if that works OK, you can probably eliminate that. Those are the only two way I know of to switch between the Consumption and MPG screens.

    BTW :welcome:
     
    #2 KK6PD, Apr 18, 2012
  3. cnschult

    cnschult Active Member

    Joined:
    Jan 9, 2008
    772
    95
    0
    Location:
    Michigan
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    isn't there a common design flaw for a wire to come loose behind the MFD? I've had 2 Prius and (knock on wood) never had this problem or the wheel bearing issue or the HID bulb issue but I think the fix is a very time consuming pain in the arse, requiring the dash to be taken off and wires to be re-soldered. (perform a search)

    If you're one of those people that likes to put a positive spin on things than let me tell you that if you're taking the dash apart it would only take an extra minute or two and a few bucks at Radio Shack to add an EV button.
     
    #3 cnschult, Apr 18, 2012
  4. madlib

    madlib Recent Convert

    Joined:
    Apr 17, 2012
    3
    0
    0
    Location:
    Long Beach, California
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Definitely not touching the controls and doesn't seem to the be the switch. Thanks for the the response!
     
    #4 madlib, Apr 18, 2012
  5. madlib

    madlib Recent Convert

    Joined:
    Apr 17, 2012
    3
    0
    0
    Location:
    Long Beach, California
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    But you have heard of this specific problem?
     
    #5 madlib, Apr 18, 2012
  6. nh7o

    nh7o Off grid since 1980

    Joined:
    Dec 10, 2011
    1,686
    338
    0
    Location:
    Hawaii
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Not this specific problem, but the MFD is known to have issues with cracking of the circuit board at the connectors:

    Prius MFD

    I could imagine a number of different glitchy symptoms could occur as a result of random solder cracks.
     
    #6 nh7o, Apr 19, 2012
  7. Britprius

    Britprius Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 14, 2010
    5,194
    1,912
    0
    Location:
    Herefordshire England
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Another possibility is what is known as the clock spring in the middle of the steering wheel. This carries the wires from the buttons down the steering shaft and is known to give many strange problems like the radio turning on and off.
     
    #7 Britprius, Apr 19, 2012
  8. Constance83

    Constance83 New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 3, 2012
    10
    0
    0
    Location:
    us
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius c
    Model:
    Plug-in Advanced
    [​IMG]Definitely not touching the controls and doesn't seem to the be the switch.
     
    #8 Constance83, Apr 19, 2012
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)