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

It sounds like it must be the Brake Actuator/Booster, C1319

Discussion in 'Prius c Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Brunto, Oct 2, 2024 at 7:03 PM.

Tags:
  1. Brunto

    Brunto New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 8, 2023
    5
    3
    0
    Location:
    Houston
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius c
    Model:
    Two
    2013 Prius C
    195k miles
    Houston, TX
    No major repairs
    New NiMH battery as of Feb 2024
    Significant FL quarter-panel damage from a side-swipe
    Error code C1319

    So about a week ago, the brake pedal lost almost all of its resistance while driving. I assumed master cylinder, but in researching, looks like for a Prius, it's actually the brake actuator/booster. [Master cylinder is contained inside the BA, I guess?]

    I understand the code specifically identifies a detected leak/loss of pressure inside the unit. I also understand this could either be inside the actuator or the pump/accumulator.

    I've watched a few videos, and the replacement doesn't look overly advanced. Tedious and long, but doable. It's the calibration at the end of the process that all of the DiY video-ers discourage for at-home repairs. Everyone says you really need to take this in to get it done. And that appears to mean anywhere from $1500-$4k, depending.

    I've got a handful of questions:
    • Is 200k nearing EoL for a Prius C?
    • In anyone's opinion, is a likely $2k+ repair worth it, at this point? Or is this the beginning of a series of failures, now that my car is this old?
    • Or... (and this is my hope... haven't had a car note in 8 years), do these little buggers typically chug along for 250k, like many Toyotas?
    Or...
    • Is this a doable repair in my driveway?
    • If I buy a Techstream device, can a rank amateur work out the bleeding down and calibration of the brake lines?
    • I see most Techstream devices are pretty friggin' expensive. Are there any devices that would accomplish this that aren't going to break my small bank?
    • It looks like the parts (when bought through reputable sources) average about $1400 together. Any pro-tips on affordably sourcing these parts?

    Thanks a ton for reading and helping!!
    Grace and peace,
    Matt
     
    #1 Brunto, Oct 2, 2024 at 7:03 PM
  2. Leadfoot J. McCoalroller

    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller Senior Member

    Joined:
    May 12, 2018
    7,321
    6,834
    1
    Location:
    Pennsylvania
    Vehicle:
    2018 Prius c
    Model:
    Two
    Toyota builds cars that last "about 15 years" with some of them making it towards 20. No-salt winters in your neighborhood would likely let yours go longer.

    It's on you to make the odometer read whatever you want before that clock runs out.

    The three most expensive problems I know of in these cars are the brake booster, the hybrid battery and the LED headlights. You already replaced the battery, you're having the brake issue now and they didn't use the LED headlights until around 2017 so you dodged that bullet.

    So from my point of view you aren't beginning a series of failures. You're already more than halfway through.

    Other DIYers have successfully done this repair. I'm not one of them, haven't faced the need yet.

    Some Toyota dealers operate online parts sales divisions. They tend to have much better prices than the walk-up counters at all the other Toyota dealers. Here's a link to one, there are others out there.

    I don't know if there's much percentage in trying a used part. From what I've read Toyota revised that device frequently, and there are known to be different versions of it for slightly different configurations of the car, so it's possible the only ones that interchange are exactly as old and used-up as what you have now.

    Just to clarify: a "Techstream device" is generally just an interface cable, more correctly known as a "mini-VCI."
    You'd plug that into the USB port of your existing Windows laptop and then install the Techstream app.
     
    #2 Leadfoot J. McCoalroller, Oct 3, 2024 at 8:23 AM
  3. Brian1954

    Brian1954 Active Member

    Joined:
    Jan 31, 2021
    998
    358
    0
    Location:
    South Central PA, USA
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    III
    Do you mean C1391 trouble code?
     
    #3 Brian1954, Oct 3, 2024 at 9:52 AM
  4. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    56,241
    39,020
    80
    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    Not sure if I’m reading that right: are you saying that DIY’ing everything but the Techstream procedures at the end, a dealership would charge that much JUST to wrap it up?

    have you got any quotes for the complete job?
     
    #4 Mendel Leisk, Oct 3, 2024 at 11:41 AM
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)