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2004 Prius STRANGE problems

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Technical Discussion' started by Priusart, Aug 16, 2009.

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  1. Priusart

    Priusart New Member

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    2 weeks ago I went out to start my Prius. The following is a list of problems which occurred:

    The wireless remote control feature for locking and unlocking the car did not work. I opened drivers door with the mechanical key and inserted master transponder key into key slot pressed power. The car started however the fuel gage was flashing “indicating low fuelâ€, the clock was completely blank, the radio did not work, on the multi-information display the fuel consumption screen the average fuel consumption and miles traveled was reset to 0, none of the buttons that usually beeped when touched beeped, the radio or C/D player did not work. All climate control buttons worked but did not beep.
    After driving for about 5 minutes the fuel gauge indicated the correct fuel in tank reading (3/4). Power locks work fine from the inside of the car.

    [FONT=&quot]I took the car to Toyota dealer on July 31st and they hooked it up to their computer. They said the only thing they found were some unrelated error codes one of them being that I ran the car out of gas (I did about two years ago). They cleared all old codes and everything returned to normal (for about 1 day). I was going on a trip so I could not get the car back to them (the car sat unused for 8 days) I went to use it today and all of the above problems are back. Has anyone experienced anything like this?Thanks for your help!:confused:
    [/FONT]
     
    #1 Priusart, Aug 16, 2009
  2. Tickwood

    Tickwood Active Member

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    First of all check the 12 Volt battery, if this is the original it certainly needs to be replaced. Even if it has been replaced check it. It could cause these problems,
     
    #2 Tickwood, Aug 16, 2009
  3. Priusart

    Priusart New Member

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    Thanks, it is the original, I am going to order one on Monday. I'm hoping that's all. I let you know.
     
    #3 Priusart, Aug 16, 2009
  4. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    mmm... my first guess was also the 12V. Hope a replacement will resolve the issue.
     
    #4 Tideland Prius, Aug 16, 2009
  5. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
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    Ditto, replace the 12v...the dealer should've known that.
     
    #5 efusco, Aug 16, 2009
  6. Sandy

    Sandy Hippi Chick

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    Mine has some of the same issues I also will have toyota check the batt and replace it if needed
     
    #6 Sandy, Aug 16, 2009
  7. spitinuri

    spitinuri Member

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    I'm suprised the dealer didn't check this. My guess also is the 12v battery.
     
    #7 spitinuri, Aug 16, 2009
  8. richard schumacher

    richard schumacher shortbus driver

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    Likely, but one ought to measure it before installing a new one. ~$200 is a lot to spend on an experiment.
     
    #8 richard schumacher, Aug 17, 2009
  9. jayman

    jayman Senior Member

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    Classic symptom of the 12 vdc battery being low, but as others stated, don't guess.

    You can either measure the voltage at the battery - located in the right rear cargo area, or at the underhood jump point

    I'm not that impressed with a dealership unable to resolve a problem like that
     
    #9 jayman, Aug 17, 2009
  10. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
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    It's not that much (quite), and on an '04 if it's not going bad now it will very soon. Replace it and save yourself the headache later--you'll have the cost either way so you might as well avoid the headache.
     
    #10 efusco, Aug 17, 2009
  11. Priusart

    Priusart New Member

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    Went ahead and ordered the replacement (Optima) battery; figured Toyota would recommend a new one. I installed my new battery today. The voltage readings are much improved; however my problems did not go away. :confused: Anyone else having the same issues? Any ideas will be appreciated. I am going to take it back to Toyota next week but I want to be armed with information.
     
    #11 Priusart, Aug 20, 2009
  12. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    Now that you have the new battery installed, do you still find that your fuel gauge reads zero initially, then comes up to the correct value? How about the clock, does it retain the correct time?

    Once power has been restored and you've started the car once so that the correct fuel gauge reading can be established, subsequent starts should show the correct gauge reading immediately and of course the clock should show the correct time.

    If you are finding that the gauge still reads zero and the clock is reset, I am wondering whether a fuse might be bad that provides power to the instrument panel when the car is IG-OFF.
     
    #12 Patrick Wong, Aug 20, 2009
  13. richard schumacher

    richard schumacher shortbus driver

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    Which ECU stores those error codes? If there were two year old codes lying around, does that imply some problem with that ECU or its harness?
     
    #13 richard schumacher, Aug 20, 2009
  14. Priusart

    Priusart New Member

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    Thanks all for keeping this thread alive. All of the problems listed at the beginning of the thread remain unchanged after the battery replacement. I also checked all the fuses. None are blown.
     
    #14 Priusart, Aug 20, 2009
  15. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    I'm just going to focus on the fuel gauge and the clock for now. I'd suggest you check the 15A DOME fuse again, removing it from its socket, and measuring its resistance with an ohmmeter. The loss of correct time and fuel gauge reading implies that 12V is not flowing through the DOME fuse.

    Some of the other systems like the radio also draw power via the DOME fuse.
     
    #15 Patrick Wong, Aug 21, 2009
  16. Priusart

    Priusart New Member

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    I rechecked the dome fuse 3.1 ohm resistance, I installed the spare 15 amp fuse no change, power lacking at all interior lights, radio, and clock. Looks like I may need to start tracing out wires!!!?* Could anyone recommend a good repair manual with wiring schematics?:confused:
     
    #16 Priusart, Aug 21, 2009
  17. jayman

    jayman Senior Member

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    Either subscribe to Toyota Information Service, or All Data DIY
     
    #17 jayman, Aug 21, 2009
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  18. Priusart

    Priusart New Member

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    Thanks I subscribed to All Data DIY today and began some connector tracing.
     
    #18 Priusart, Aug 22, 2009
  19. jayman

    jayman Senior Member

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    I should warn you some of those connector schematics aren't the easiest in the world to follow
     
    #19 jayman, Aug 23, 2009
  20. Sandy

    Sandy Hippi Chick

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    I also had some of the same things happening Toyota said I had a dead cell in my 12V they replaced it today give it a week and then i will know if the cure was that.
     
    #20 Sandy, Aug 25, 2009
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