Multi Information Display intermittently freezes

A few days after routine service at 20K miles on my 2007 Prius the multi information display went black and has stayed black. I'm not encouraged by the posts below! Here is my question: I remembered seeing a choice on one of the screens to turn off the display. Is there no way to turn it back on?

 

Hi John Whisler, welcome to PriusChat! :welcome:
If the screen has been turned off, pressing the steering wheel INFO button will bring it back. If the screen is dead...

 

I'm new to this forum and found this site as I was searching for info on the MFD problem I'm having. Mine also is having the same issue as some others do who have the 04 to early 05 Prius. My problems started in January. I thought it might be a short but the dealer told me that there was a service bulletin regarding the problem and wanted $1000 to fix it. On another thread on this site someone (Hobbit?) had found a possible solution that's very reasonable and the instructions are posted. I too would like to see Toyota step up to the plate and fix this problem without charging us a fortune. Someone else had mentioned a class action suit. I've considered contacting a local TV station that responds to consumer complaints to see if Toyota would respond to them in a more favorable fashion. I'd be interested in any possble suggestions about going to Toyota as a group to express our unhappiness regarding this problem.

 

After we saw this problem on our Prius today, I checked the internet and noticed on the "John's Stuff" Prius website that when he saw this it turned out to just be that the Climate button was stuck:

John's Stuff - Toyota Prius Personal Log 183

I went out and banged on the Climate button a few times and voila!, the problem cleared up. Don't know if the fix is permanent, though. He never mentions it again, so maybe it is. Time will tell. It's worth a try, anyway, before plunking down $3000 or more for a new display.

 

Having just encountered my 2004 Prius' MFD freezing up intermittently I searched through the forums and found my 2004 is not unique in this regard. In fact, the problem seems to be an inherent defect. I notice the threads are all in 2007. I don't drive much--only 56,000 miles so far. But the problem with the MFD is typical of so many others. Thanks to the thread I found the TSB EL002-05 which says there may be a couple of loose connectors. I'll have that checked out. Has anything else been discovered since then? Did Toyota ever fess up they messed up and are giving a discount for a new MFD (if that's the final solution.)?

A couple years late, and a couple dollars short.

jrp
.

 

Just an update from Canada on this one. I did manage to get a refurbished unit installed for $1600. There were none cheaper in Canada. At first it didn't look like there would be any available. I got it early April and it is working fine. The only thing I noticed is that the odometer and the screen are out .3 kilometers and if that is the only issue, its fine. I have a 3 months limited warranty on it. The part is guaranteed for that time but any labour to diagnose the issue I would have to pay.

 

Wow, a lot more than the $25 I paid to have mine fixed.
If mine breaks again I need to find another $25, I hope the repair lasts, it's over a year old now I think.

 

I have the same problem. The dealer says a refurb would cost $800 plus about $100 labor. From what I have read the prices are all over the place. Does anyone know exactly what a refurb MDF should cost from a Toyota dealer? I think they are ripping me off.

 

I actually have something similar happening to me right now. I have access to my satellite, FM and AM radio. I do not have access to bluetooth, GPS or voice command. It's like the system froze on me! Nothing happens with I push the audio or apps button. I cannot get to any other menu. I have a 2013 Prius V III and just under 15k miles. Don't know what's going on. Looks like I'm gonna end up waisting another whole day at the dealership AGAIN.