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

CEL and Brake Fluid

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by Dirt_Devil, Jan 20, 2021.

  1. Dirt_Devil

    Dirt_Devil Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jan 20, 2021
    4
    0
    0
    Location:
    US
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    My girlfriends Prius is having an issue with the brake accumulator/ booster. I believe thats the right terminology. Im not versed in the prius lingo haha.

    Her electronic brakes cycle every few seconds and she looses them when the CEL comes on (toyota safety feature i know). Had the brakes serviced about 6 months ago and the business is refusing liability for the issue.

    Whats my steps to fix it personally? Toyota says about 1800$ for the accumulator and or booster. Thanks in advanced for any help.

    KB2007 ?
     
    #1 Dirt_Devil, Jan 20, 2021
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,755
    48,969
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    you could look for a salvage unit and a good youtube diy replacement instruction
     
    #2 bisco, Jan 20, 2021
    jerrymildred likes this.
  3. Dirt_Devil

    Dirt_Devil Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jan 20, 2021
    4
    0
    0
    Location:
    US
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    Yeah thats my literal next step. Didn't know if there was a work around or a pin jump for the brake bleed system instead of using tech stream.

    KB2007 ?
     
    #3 Dirt_Devil, Jan 20, 2021
  4. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 28, 2016
    11,491
    14,100
    0
    Location:
    Tampa, FL
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Quite a few people have put in used ones. I'm not good enough at brakes to try it myself. I'd look for a shop that's used to Prius brakes. No one here can recommend one since your location is more than a little vague. If it said "Tampa," I know where I'd send you and it would be quality service for much less than what Toyota would charge.
     
    #4 jerrymildred, Jan 20, 2021
  5. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2008
    7,594
    4,454
    7
    Location:
    Texas Hill Country
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Three
    What year? Makes an $1800 difference.
     
    #5 rjparker, Jan 20, 2021
  6. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    54,703
    38,239
    80
    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    Info says 2010. If you’re on a phone it takes some digging though.

    Was it a Toyota dealership, or. Prius brakes are real easy to mess up. If a brake fluid change was involved, Techstream software, or putting the car in “invalid” mode is mandatory.

    if the issue just arose, 6 months AFTER the service, then maybe isn’t due to anything they did. But who knows.

    Bottom line: an independent shop stands a good chance of screwing something up.
     
    #6 Mendel Leisk, Jan 20, 2021
  7. Dirt_Devil

    Dirt_Devil Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jan 20, 2021
    4
    0
    0
    Location:
    US
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    I'm in Charlotte, NC. It is a 2010. I had new wheels put on at Mavis because one of hers was cracked and they noticed the rear pads were low so I had them changed and they "bled the brake system". It was good for about a week then the CEL came on. Took it back up and they looked at it again then within 5 miles the light came back on. I dont know if it was a hybrid certified tech either.
     
    #7 Dirt_Devil, Jan 20, 2021
  8. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2008
    7,594
    4,454
    7
    Location:
    Texas Hill Country
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Three
    I see the profile 2010 but he says its his girlfriend's Prius. We have to wait on the moderator - again.
     
    #8 rjparker, Jan 20, 2021
    Mendel Leisk likes this.
  9. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 30, 2008
    23,307
    15,098
    0
    Location:
    Indiana, USA
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    I would start by looking for a shop that can read the actual trouble codes and post them here to see what the car wants you to do. Assuming it needs any expensive part replaced at all seems premature at this point.
     
    #9 ChapmanF, Jan 20, 2021
  10. Dirt_Devil

    Dirt_Devil Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jan 20, 2021
    4
    0
    0
    Location:
    US
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    Yeah i had that done but forgot the codes... Imagine that haha. Ill repost with what they say when i get it done.

    KB2007 ?
     
    #10 Dirt_Devil, Jan 21, 2021
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)