Prius Problem

Are you talking about the "Maintenance Required" orange light?

If yes, it automatically comes on every 5000 miles and indicates that scheduled maintenance is needed.

In any case, have you tried a different dealer?

 

You should have the dealer tell you the error codes or retrieve them yourself w/a an OBD II scanner. "All Toyota vehicles do this" is total BS and untrue.

In any case, sounds like you need another dealer.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(viking16 @ Feb 16 2007, 03:33 AM) [snapback]391336[/snapback]</div>

To me this sounds like the classic, "Go away with your trifling problem today so I can blame you tomorrow when it becomes a major nightmare."

Not to make more work that doesn't fix your problem, but consider informing Toyota about this dealer, especially if the mechanics are "Toyota Certified." Disreputable shops that advocate ignoring the check engine light should not be backed by Toyota Corp. In the process, perhaps Toyota Corp. can support you in finding a dealer that will fix what's wrong.

 

Although they should have been able to detect this if it was indeed the problem, but... The Check Engine light on many cars will come on if the gas cap is not properly secured or leaks air. Make sure you always turn the gas cap at least 3 clicks past the point where it stops. Also consider replacing the gas cap.

This may have absolutely nothing to do with your problem, but it is a common cause of "Check Engine" lights on many cars.

 

Man if you got it in writing to ignore the check engine light they really opened themselves up to a major lawsuit. What happens if you lost oil pressure,you'd never know it because the light is alreadyon and they said to ignore it. so if you burned up an engine a lawyer would have a field day with this. I'd call the general manager of the dealership and ask them if he knows his service dept. is setting them up for big time lawsuits, and tell him he better FIX his service dept. starting out by FIXING your car! I bet the rep. from Toyota never even looked at your car.

 

Forget lawsuits. You don't have to do a thing. Just inform CARB with a copy of the letter, and I suspect under lemon laws, you will get a new car, as you indicate Toyota said they don't know how to fix it. I'm pretty sure in Calif. and probably anywhere in the US and Canada, a CEL on is not allowed. If it comes on again anyway.

It's probably just a connection issue somewhere, but if they can't fix it - they must replace the car! It's not legal to drive with the CEL on all the time.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(viking16 @ Feb 16 2007, 04:33 AM) [snapback]391336[/snapback]</div>

Yeah, you should really forward of copy of that letter to Toyota Corporate. The advice of "change how you drive," "ignore check engine" and "all Toyotas do this" sounds, frankly, crazy. I also can't believe all Toyotas do this if they idle more than 30 mins. One poster here, Paul Cullen, used his Prius to power his house for TWO DAYS during a power shortage. http://priuschat.com/index.php?s=&show...st&p=363152

Customer Experience Center
Phone: 800-331-4331
Mon - Fri, 5:00 am - 6:00 pm PT
Sat, 7:00 am - 4:00 pm PT
Fax: 310-468-7814

Or send correspondence to:
Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.
19001 South Western Ave.
Dept. WC11
Torrance, CA 90501

 

I agree with the "fix it or give me a new car" offer to Toyota. California has a 50K mile emissions warrantee, and that includes NO check engine light. Third time's a charm, if they don't fix it, demand a new car. Send a copy of the demand as high up in Toyota as you can find. I'm sure they will take issue with the "all Toyotas do that" claim PRONTO!

 

Another jerk ripoff dealer making the "they all do that" claim. If you really do have their claim in WRITING, make many copies. Even better have an attorney notarize a copy. Send that to CARB, and CC it to Toyota headquarters.

Amazing. "They all do that."

Of course, if the car should happen to calf when conveniently off warranty, they'll claim "TFB you're SOL."

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(viking16 @ Feb 16 2007, 02:33 AM) [snapback]391336[/snapback]</div>

Just try another dealer. Let another dealer know your plight and i think you may be surprised at what happens. Every manufacturer has bad dealers.

 

I agree with the poster who said he didn't believe the Toyata rep looked at it.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(viking16 @ Feb 16 2007, 01:13 PM) [snapback]391713[/snapback]</div>

Total BS. The Prius engine does not idle for more than a minute or so when it's warm. If you sit for 30 minutes, the engine will only start if it's necessary to charge the traction battery.

Demand the code number. They should have a record of the work done last time.

 

Please divulge who the POS dealer is. Inquiring minds want to know!

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Marlin @ Feb 16 2007, 05:29 AM) [snapback]391367[/snapback]</div>

Yep, a loose gas cap can definitely trigger check engine lights. However, it's just a common cause and w/o retrieving the codes, one really has NO IDEA what is being reported. The light being on doesn't you which of the hundreds of codes listed at http://www.obd-codes.com/trouble_codes/ (for example) is being thrown. In some cases, there are multiple codes stored.

Places like http://www.obdii.com/ and http://www.obd-2.com/ have info and links to scanners you can buy. I saw http://www.carmd.com/ at CES. The neat part is that you can plug it into your computer via USB and you'll receive reports like those at http://www.carmd.com/AboutTheProduct/WhatDoIGet.aspx which tell you the common causes of the codes you're getting along w/estimated repair costs.

 

"Hey Mr. Dufus Dealer ... I'll bet the local consumer advocate TV show would like to come down and interview you .. maybe you'd like to tell your fellow Toyota customers you send away ON TV, that you're unable to fix their car ... and maybe corporate would like to hear about you over the boob tube as well?"

That ought to light a fire under him/her. Doing trial work years ago ... when dufus attornies would obviously not know their head from shinola, I would love making objections, by only refering to code numbers (104b, etc) ... so when the judge asked for rebuttal, the opposing counsel would have to say I don't know what that number means. I'd then reply (boy would opposing counsel feel stupid in front of their client), "perhaps the defense needs time to consult with an attorney?". Embarrasment over unpreparedness is a great motivator. I know, because I REALLY learned the evidence code after a wisenheimer attorney did the above to me