Help No Display screen, can I drive it?

See Page 2 Post 32 - I did it I got the touch screen unit out!!

I am due to make a 400 mile round trip business trip today. Go out and start the car, and the screen display is black. The MFD. None of the buttons on it work, either - I have the beep ON, no beep. I turned it off, waited about 1 minute and tried again, still nothing. Went for a short drive (took the dogs to the park where they can run), it was off for about 35 minutes. Still nothing for the short drive back home. I mean short, this is less than 2 miles one way.

I can still access the a/c and the radio from the steering wheel. I can see my speed, fuel etc, that is fine. It is just the display monitor.

This came out of the blue, I have not noticed any issues at all.

Questions:
1. Can I make my trip today and then get this addressed?
2. Any thoughts as to what is going on? As in, how much is this going to cost me?
3. Feel free to add anything you think may help.


I found and read this: Dashboard Touch Screen Not Working | PriusChat

If the problem is a loose solder connection, then why don't they just fix that instead of replacing the whole unit?

And, new question 4: anyone know a place near Methuen, MA / Salem NH which does this for less than the dealer is going to want?

Called the Service Dept at the local dealer, he said I can go on the trip. Took some time, as he had no idea what an "MFD" is. I asked him if he was familiar with the Prius. GRRRR.

 

OK, where are they?

Car has 60,000 miles. Is it worth spending the $4k to get the MFD fixed?

 

Soldering is an easy job, I did it as a summer job during college.

I can manage the a/c and radio. Not sure I can live without my back up camera, lol. And not sure I could put in an MFD myself, hmm.

 

Further online research says it is possible - just possible -- that this is a fuse. And so, I will take Carmine to the Dealer for diagnosis and if it is a fuse, I'll let them fix it. PRAYERS needed that this is only a fuse issue. Because it does not make sense to spend $4k for a 2008 with 60,000 miles. I'll just have to get a new car; and that I am not in a position to do, at this time.

 

Carmine went in to the dealer for diagnosis this morning. Internal failure of the entire unit.

Toyota offers refurbished units with a 1 year warranty for $1350; then another $125 to install. I told them to order one for me. Should be in next Wed, and I can have it installed on Thurs. This dealership says they have never seen this problem before. ?????

I had looked on ebay last evening, only one I saw for my year had no back up camera capability, so that wasn't going to work for me. But it did point out to me that not all the ones for my year have that functionality. I made sure the Service Dept knows I have this, so they order the right one. Their first question was, "is that something you added to the car?" Um, no, I have package 3 it is standard.

Oh and my "Navigation Screen Sun Hood Visor" (from the Prius Chat shop) gave rise to all sorts of questions: "what is it, how is it attached, if that is what caused the mfd to fail you shouldn't use it" and on and on. Geesh!

 

Related to what, Patrick? The old thread I quote way up top, from 2010, $4 to 5,000, this is much lower than that. And, the only one I found on ebay was not compatible, did not have the back up camera, so I could not go the DIY route.

So what are you comparing to when you say that is high? Thanks for more info!!

 

OK, I've looked at autobeyours.com. Much better price, same 1 year warranty.

Not confident I can remove the unit myself. Watched all the vids. Step by step. If ANYONE is near me, and wants to come over, sit and read while I do it, I'd give it a go. Only me, one car, not sure I want to risk doing more damage. I tend to be a 'bull in a china shop' when I do stuff around the house.

 

OK, I watched this vid, by Steve Woodruff:

In the first 20 seconds, he says the tools you will need:
Says I need a Phillips screwdriver, a Flat Head screwdriver and a 10 mm driver, and then he says what? a retro? No idea. I do have hearing issues, even with my hearing aids, so just a bit of help there please. I've played it back several times, just can't catch what he says.

I can follow what he does, the unit is out and ready to ship.

Now, I just put everything back together and I can use the car with a big hole and 4 plugs? Do I have to make sure the plugs don't touch one another, or tape them or what? He doesn't actually show the plugs so I'm not sure what sort I will be dealing with.

And, when I get the unit back, I do this again and put the unit back in, that I get, also.

Guess I just have those 2 questions!

Going to poke about on youtube, see if I can find any additional vids.

 

Thanks Bisco, are you talking me INTO this project, or OUT of it! LOL

Hey, you are in Boston, want to come up to Methuen and give me a hand?