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I may have messed up something during actuator replacement, help?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Elton Lucien, Oct 26, 2019.

  1. Elton Lucien

    Elton Lucien Junior Member

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    2008 Prius
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    I am sorry if I am violating a rule of the forum, this is my first post. I have a 2008 Prius with 95k miles that had the (!), ABS VSC, and Brake lights on. I took it to a dealer, and they told me it was the actuator. I ended up buying a used and followed instructions from here and youtube to the replacement today. I assembled everything up to the inverter, and attempted to turn on the car to see if everything was alright. However, now the check engine, Triangle, (!), ABS VSC and Brake lights are on and the car will not turn on. I am not sure if the new actuator is defective or if I messed up. What can I check for and in what order should I go? Also, the brake does not have resistance at all as if the actuator did not send any pressure, but I can hear it buzzing when I pass by the car.
    I want to put the old one back, but I am going to wait for any advice I can get.

    Thank you guys for your help.
     
    #1 Elton Lucien, Oct 26, 2019
    Last edited: Oct 26, 2019
  2. Hokie-Dave

    Hokie-Dave Member

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    I'm not sure what is involved with the actuator (never had to replace one), but try holding the start button in for a couple seconds. I remember having to do that after removing the brake fuse when doing a brake job quite a few years back.
     
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  3. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    If you collect the trouble code(s) from the car and post here, more ideas will come your way. :)
     
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  4. techten

    techten New Member

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    okay first things first. after installing the actuator did you bleed the system using a scan tool and perform the linear valve calibration?
     
  5. TheLastMojojomo

    TheLastMojojomo Active Member

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    Did you do the specific bleeding procedure using Toyota Techstream or equivalent required when replacing the actuator. I've never replaced my actuator and am not a mechanic. I just know there's a highly specific bleeding procedure that must be followed after replacing the actuator. Did you have the tell tale symptoms of a failing actuator when you took it into the dealership to get diagnosed? Such as the constant buzzing coming from the actuator regardless of whether you're braking or not? But if the car won't start now either I'd guess there is something else going on. Codes are essential as previously stated. :)

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
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  6. Elton Lucien

    Elton Lucien Junior Member

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    2008 Prius
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    LE
    Thanks a lot guys, I did not do the bleeding yet because it is going to take a lot of time, and I thought it would not prevent a startup. So far, I have taken everything apart and put them together again. It now goes into ready mode, but goes back to "on mode" within 5 seconds. The actuator is also constantly buzzing as if it is not accumulating pressure. Maybe the suggestion about bleeding the brakes is right if the pressure is not being accumulated because of air. I currently have a cheap scanner, and it seems that it does not read Prius specific codes. I will buy another tomorrow if bleeding the brakes does not work. And yes, I definitely had actuator problems. One time I was on the highway, and it started beeping and my brakes were terrible. That is when I went to the dealer and they told me that as it.
    Thanks again.
     
  7. Elton Lucien

    Elton Lucien Junior Member

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    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
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    LE
    Now it is working. I accidentally connected the little brown cable in the negative terminal of the inverter, I took a picture but it was not labeled right. Last night, I was able to find a picture with one that was opened and realized my mistake. As of now, only the ABS, VSC and the regular circle with (!) are on. The brakes are kind of back. Once I get the bleeding done today, I should be set. I would go as far as saying it is drivable, but I will not do it until then.
     
  8. TheLastMojojomo

    TheLastMojojomo Active Member

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    Congrats on solving your no start issues. Now just to bleed those brakes. You may want to invest in a cheap pirated version of Toyota Techstream off of Amazon to do this. Will make things a lot easier. This is the one I use: DIAGKING Mini Vci J2534 TIS Techstream Diagnostic Cable for Toyota Firmware V1.4.1

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
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