cannot access backup gear

When we travel, me and wife alternate at rest stops. So, going from Huntingnton Beach to San Diego,
the 1st rest stop is near Oceanside. I drive the 1st part and Lily drives the 2nd part.
Not evertime, but occasionally, when Lily takes over the driving, our Prius will not go into Reverse gear.
Only by powering off and then powering on again [once], then she can access Reverse. Its never happened
with me. I have quizzed her: Is your foot squarely, solidly on the brake pedal when powering on?
Do you hit the Power Button solidly? She says that the 1st time it happened to her, she makes sure that
she does these start up sets the right way. Any answers to this problem?

 

BTW, IF she really is pressing the brake and it's not going into READY then there may be a bad brake switch...that's also been an issue and was a recall item for the '04s but should be fixed in the '07s...in theory.
[/quote]
I think it will be a case of: it has to happen in front of the dealer, just like the lady with the headlight
problem. Lily very steadfast says: 1. foot on brake firmly. 2. press Power. 3. wait for ready.
4. shift from N to R.
It all sounds correct to me and I have watched her do it. But, thanks Even, your diagnosis sounds
like its on the right track. Its just a matter of it happening again at the right time.
Thank you very much.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(David Beale @ Aug 10 2007, 09:36 AM) [snapback]493580[/snapback]</div>

I thought of that also, but not so. Lily is 69 and not too swift, but still capable, more so than me.
Today, we went for test drive again, just to go over the salient points.
1. brake petal, firmly with foot.
2. power button, hold down firmly, release and wait.
3. lights come on, shift to Reverse.
She does all those very well. The Prius started exactly.
We will just have to wait for it to happen again
Thank you for you input. Lily reads these inputs and instills in her mind about
doing 1-2-3 firmly and slowly. We just hope this problem does not happen in the boon docks.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Rick Auricchio @ Aug 10 2007, 10:52 AM) [snapback]493641[/snapback]</div>

We will make sure we do these steps carefully and precisely. Thank you for your input


<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(quixotequest @ Aug 10 2007, 10:45 AM) [snapback]493635[/snapback]</div>

We will keep a close watch on our procedure. We only hope that if there is a defective switch
as Evan thinks, if will happen in a safe zone and not out in the boondocks.



BTW, IF she really is pressing the brake and it's not going into READY then there may be a bad brake switch...that's also been an issue and was a recall item for the '04s but should be fixed in the '07s...in theory.
[/quote]
She also tells me that when it happens, the gear lever will not go up into the Reverse position, even
tho' she adamantly says the brake pedal is depressed firmly and the power button is press firmly, and
then waits for lights 'on' before trying to shift up to R. We just hope it does not happen to us again
out where there's no help. We'll make sure the cell phone is with us all the time. Thanks again.