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

2012 Prius Plug-in PCS Warning Repair

Discussion in 'Gen 1 Prius Plug-in 2012-2015' started by priusbydefault, Oct 30, 2023.

  1. priusbydefault

    priusbydefault New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 30, 2023
    26
    11
    0
    Location:
    El Monte, CA
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    N/A
    Hi all, I recently purchased a 2012 Prius plug-in hybrid w/ 148k miles. I have the "CHECK PCS SYSTEM" warning light due to a missing radar sensor because of a front end collision and it was not replaced according to the previous owner. I inspected behind the front emblem from opening the hood. I can confirm that there is no sensor or bracket mount in place. I also dit not find a harness plug from my quick visual inspection. Other than this issue, everything in the vehicle works well.

    I would like to repair this issue myself to get rid of the annoying light that prevents me from enjoying the info on the display for more than a few seconds. I have to press the display button on the steering wheel constantly to make the warning message go away. Full PCS system functionality would only be a plus for me.

    Can anyone with experience with working on this system share some tips, advice, knowledge, etc.?
     
    #1 priusbydefault, Oct 30, 2023
  2. priusbydefault

    priusbydefault New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 30, 2023
    26
    11
    0
    Location:
    El Monte, CA
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    N/A
    Nobody?
     
    #2 priusbydefault, Nov 5, 2023
  3. priusbydefault

    priusbydefault New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 30, 2023
    26
    11
    0
    Location:
    El Monte, CA
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    N/A
    Bump bump
     
    #3 priusbydefault, Nov 10, 2023
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    108,503
    49,308
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    search through these threads for any possible help

    542570890
     
    #4 bisco, Nov 11, 2023
  5. vvillovv

    vvillovv Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 19, 2013
    3,559
    1,256
    1
    Location:
    NY
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Plus
    The best way to get all the details about how the radar system works is to get the repair manual and there is a wiki page that explains how you can get the manual Toyota Service Information and Where To Find It | PriusChat
    I'd think you'd want to get the toyota dtc's from a scan tool first. Without any trouble codes in you posted yet it's hard to imagine installing a few parts yourself will complete the job.
     
    #5 vvillovv, Nov 11, 2023
  6. priusbydefault

    priusbydefault New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 30, 2023
    26
    11
    0
    Location:
    El Monte, CA
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    N/A
    Thank you. I used a scan tool but there are no codes available
     
    #6 priusbydefault, Nov 17, 2023
  7. vvillovv

    vvillovv Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 19, 2013
    3,559
    1,256
    1
    Location:
    NY
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Plus
    There should be a code(s) unless the previous owner turned off the PCS system.
    When did you first see the warning?
     
    #7 vvillovv, Nov 18, 2023
  8. priusbydefault

    priusbydefault New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 30, 2023
    26
    11
    0
    Location:
    El Monte, CA
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    N/A
    The warning was disclosed at time of purchase and it was on since before I acquired it. The PCS system switch underneath the dash is set to on. I'd like to add that the button selection makes no difference to the PCS Warning status.
     
    #8 priusbydefault, Nov 20, 2023
  9. priusbydefault

    priusbydefault New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 30, 2023
    26
    11
    0
    Location:
    El Monte, CA
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    N/A
    I will scan it again to see if any codes have popped up since.
     
    #9 priusbydefault, Nov 20, 2023
  10. priusbydefault

    priusbydefault New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 30, 2023
    26
    11
    0
    Location:
    El Monte, CA
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    N/A
    Just scanned it again with the torque app. It says their isn't any codes stored in the ECU. Is it possible my reader module is not capable of accessing this prius's memory? I never had a problem reading codes on other vehicles.
     
    #10 priusbydefault, Nov 22, 2023
  11. priusbydefault

    priusbydefault New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 30, 2023
    26
    11
    0
    Location:
    El Monte, CA
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    N/A
    Just scanned it again with the torque app. It says their isn't any codes stored in the ECU. Is it possible my reader module is not capable of accessing this prius's memory? I never had a problem reading codes on other vehicles.
     
    #10 priusbydefault, Nov 22, 2023
  12. vvillovv

    vvillovv Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 19, 2013
    3,559
    1,256
    1
    Location:
    NY
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Plus
    Have you even looked at the repair manual for your model, about how to install and calibrate the radar sensor you want to replace?
    I doubt anyone is going to know how the body shop fixed your car without reinstalling the sensor. except maybe the body shop that did the work.
     
    #11 vvillovv, Nov 23, 2023
  13. priusbydefault

    priusbydefault New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 30, 2023
    26
    11
    0
    Location:
    El Monte, CA
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    N/A
    Thank you for your reply. I will take a look at the manual to study the entire system and take a deeper dive into it. I will post my findings.
     
    #12 priusbydefault, Nov 27, 2023
    vvillovv likes this.
  14. Eug

    Eug Swollen Member

    Joined:
    Jan 13, 2004
    956
    211
    0
    Location:
    Earth (for now)
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Technology
    Any updates?
     
    #13 Eug, Jan 16, 2024
    Last edited: Jan 16, 2024
  15. priusbydefault

    priusbydefault New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 30, 2023
    26
    11
    0
    Location:
    El Monte, CA
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    N/A
    Sorry, I am going through a lot right now and this repair got put on hold. I appreciate you relaying your history with the dreaded PCS issue.

    I will tackle this issue once everything settles down and post my experiences so that hopefully it will help someone else in the future.
     
    #14 priusbydefault, Jan 17, 2024
    Eug likes this.
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)