Used Brake Actuator

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Jim Roscoe, Sep 23, 2025 at 11:21 AM.

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  1. Jim Roscoe

    Jim Roscoe Junior Member

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    My original actuator was failing and I installed a used part, manually bleed the brakes. All the associated brake lights are still illuminated (Brake, ABS, Traction). I took the car to the dealership for a Techstream bleed and they told me that the actuator was programmed for a different car and would not work in this car. I needed to purchase a new part. I have never seen this as an issue in any actuator video/thread etc. I argued with the dealer stating that this claim is absent anywhere else other than them saying it. They claim this is that fact on this car and others as well. First, is this correct? Second, what would be my next step to resolving the issue (how do I fix the car)? The car does stop however, I can tell this is purely mechanical and not computerized assisted stopping. Many thanks in advance.
     
    #1 Jim Roscoe, Sep 23, 2025 at 11:21 AM
    Last edited: Sep 23, 2025 at 11:35 AM
  2. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    Yeah... Never seen this either, but because they probably have a data base to compare serial numbers to Vin numbers this is the excuse they came up with on their own. The most common problem people have with replacing with used actuators is that they rolled the dice on a used part and it turned up defective. Seems to be happening more and more often now that Gen2 are getting so old.
     
    #2 PriusCamper, Sep 23, 2025 at 4:21 PM
  3. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    I'm not sure about gen 2. I know gen 3 definitely has actuators programmed for different model years and trims, and a gen 3 actuator will compare notes with other ECUs in the car and kvetch (C1203) if it doesn't think it belongs in that car.

    On the other hand, that sort of makes sense because the gen 3 actuator contains the brake ECU. In gen 2 it doesn't. If there were a thing in gen 2 that cared what car it's in, I'd expect it to be the ECU, not the box-o-valves (actuator).
     
    #3 ChapmanF, Sep 23, 2025 at 4:59 PM
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  4. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

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    More than likely the linear valve offset will not set it happens all the time with used brake actuators I've had to swap one on the car one time three times till I got it right .
     
    #4 Tombukt2, Sep 23, 2025 at 5:26 PM
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