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Brake Issue Advice

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by OldBuddha, Sep 12, 2016.

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  1. OldBuddha

    OldBuddha Junior Member

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    Hello all. Looking for some knowledgeable advice with a brake issue on our 2005 Prius. My husband was driving at the time the issue presented, so I hope I'm explaining the symptoms well enough. On Friday of last week, the red triangle, along with other warning lights lit up on the dash. At the same time, the brakes acted funny; they worked, but had to push much harder with the pedal going much further to the floor than normal.

    Took car to our local Toyota dealer. Per dealer, diagnostic code was C0210, and they said the speed sensor (wire, hub & bearing) would need to be replaced. Total charge for the repair around $800.

    Dealer called this morning to say that replacing the speed sensor didn't take care of the problem, and the "flow chart states to go to replacing the Skid Control computer assy (ecu)." cost = $1,926. They want us to pay for the speed sensor work as well as the skid control.

    A little searching on Google reveals that the code they gave us does indicate a speed sensor malfunction, and that the speed sensor sends signals to the ECU.

    We feel as though we should not have to pay for the speed sensor repair when it didn't fix the problem. Any thoughts, experience, etc. on this problem would be greatly appreciated. Is this a common problem? Is it realistic to assume they should be able to diagnose something like this correctly w/o an $800 bill that didn't resolve an issue? While my limited knowledge/research shows these two things interact, would it be likely they would both malfunction at the same time?

    Thanks for any advice you have to offer!!
     
    #1 OldBuddha, Sep 12, 2016
  2. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    This sounds like a failed actuator pump.....which has an extended warranty
     
    #2 JC91006, Sep 12, 2016
  3. dolj

    dolj Senior Member

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    I have thoughts but no experience.

    The process that you have described sounds all too common these days where mechanics have no real diagnostic ability and rely too heavily on the computers telling them what is wrong.

    I don't know if it works this way in The States, but I'd be inclined to tell them that since the new part did not fix the problem that you want them to remove the new part and reinstall your working (by inference) part. I wouldn't be paying for more than a short time for their diagnostic either, as I think it would be reasonable to pay them for some diagnostic time. Just not for the part though.

    I haven't seen this particular diagnostic tree, but others I have seen include diagnostic tests that can be performed to confirm whether a part is working or not, not just a replace this part and if that doesn't fix it move on and replace the next part.

    I don't know how you will get on, but you may need to be prepared to get combative to the point of taking them to small claims court etc.

    Part replacing monkeys are a dime a dozen and it is not what we expect when we take our cars to the experts.

    BTW, if it did come down to replacing the skid control computer, these can be sourced second-hand from a salvage yard for a much more reasonable price than new. You may need to find a non-toyota hybrid specialist to go down this route though. as I believe US dealers have an aversion to using second-hand parts.

    My $0.02 worth,
     
    #3 dolj, Sep 13, 2016
  4. andrewclaus

    andrewclaus Active Member

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    Here is a troubleshooting procedure for the system. It describes a procedure to make sure there is actually a problem with the sensor and wiring (using an oscilloscope, which is beyond the typical DIYer but presumably what you'd expect a shop you pay $800 to have) before replacing them. It says if those test out okay, then replace the ECU. If your shop didn't follow the Toyota procedure, you might have a case against them. Good luck.

    By the way, components like the ECU can be found on the salvage market for a fraction of the new cost. If you can find an independent shop to install a used part, you might be able to save a lot of money.
     
    #4 andrewclaus, Sep 13, 2016
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  5. OldBuddha

    OldBuddha Junior Member

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    Thank you for this information. It reinforces exactly what I thought - they should be able to test an issue before simply replacing something and charging $800 only to say sorry, it didn't fix the issue but you still owe us!

    We did find an independent shop who suggested a used part; if my husband was able to pry our car from the dealership...

    Thanks again!
     
    #5 OldBuddha, Sep 13, 2016
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