Brake master cylinder and booster pump

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Technical Discussion' started by ShutterSpeed, Oct 8, 2025 at 6:05 PM.

  1. ShutterSpeed

    ShutterSpeed New Member

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    hi all!

    having an issue with my 2011 Prius where the 12v battery is consistently dead. I mean no lights, chimes or anything, dead. Swapped in a new 12v and it started like a charm but was dead again the next day.

    Now at a hybrid tech (not dealership) they are saying it’s the brake master cylinder and booster pump assembly that is running too often (that buzz when the car turns on/off or when mechanical brakes kick in). Could that be a cause for parasitic draining?

    I’ve seen the recalls and issues with this bit on many forms but I can’t seem to find anyone else running into this issue draining the 12v while the car is off. Hoping someone can confirm before I spend $3000 on the repair.
     
  2. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    if the brake actuator were bad, there should be a code. That would be the real confirmation.

    I think the battery you put in is not a good battery or it wasn't fully charged when you installed it. I would probably return it and get another one.

    I don't think the actuator would run long enough to drain a good battery
     
  3. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    There are simple tests for parasitic draws with a series ampmeter. Know how big of a draw you have first before spending money for parts. Parasitic draws are somewhat common and are often aftermarket gps, radios or obd2 devices.

    Measure and report back. If your mechanic did not suggest testing go elsewhere.
     
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  4. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    It's easy to hear the brake pump running, so that's an easy check for whether it could even be the culprit.

    In a good unit, it should run hardly at all when the brakes aren't being used, like, you'd have to leave the car turned on for an hour or so to hear it run again.

    Many people keep driving with obviously leaky units with the pump running as often as every ten seconds or so, with nobody using the brake—which, despite being something like a hundred times worse than a good unit, often won't have set any trouble code yet.

    If it kept on doing that, every ten seconds, all night while the car was off, I could easily see that draining the battery. The thing is, I don't think it does continue to run indefinitely with the car off. I think it may keep running like that during the first minute or two after turning the car off, and of course will begin again as soon as the driver's door is opened the next morning. But for the bulk of the time the car is off, I think the brake system does shut down.

    So that's why I would be skeptical of the brake pump explaining the overnight battery drain.
     
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