Brake problems, Stroke Sensor, and Dealer Service

About a month ago, I encountered a problem with my brakes. While driving the red "BRAKE" light as well as the amber "!", "ABS", and "VSC" lamps came on. I still had brakes, but the pedal traveled more that normal before braking commenced - as if there was no regenerative braking available. In addition, if felt as if there was little or no power assist and when they did engage they were very non-linear, grabby, and difficult to modulate. At least I still had brakes. I stopped, checked fuses, fluid, and under the car and found nothing to be amiss. We got back on the road, my wife called the dealer, and they had us come in - fortunately they were open on Saturday. Driving there the symptoms did not change and were fully evident when we arrived at the shop.

Once there a tech hooked up a very ruggedized laptop to the car, spent about fifteen minutes on the laptop, drove the car around the garage, and reported that the diagnostic code showed a problem with the stroke sensor and that it was OK now. I do not know how he fixed it - I presume he reset something or other. We went on our way without problem happy to have been helped promptly and without charge.

Last Wednesday I took the car in for the 60,000 mile service. I mentioned to the writer that I'd been in and there had been a problem with the sensor. He laughed it off saying that weird things happened occasionally. I figured that if he did not want to take my money, there was nothing to worry about. That afternoon, $352 later, I drove out and everything was fine.

Saturday we go out and about 40 miles from home experienced the same problem. Furious is the closest word I could use in mixed company to describe my feelings at that time. We drove back home are changed cars and went about our business.

I'll be taking her in to the shop on Monday. The drive during rush hour promises to be exhillerating as the brake system is difficult -but not impossible- to manage. I may call first to warn them. I'll certainly mind my temper, but I will not be happy. Am I wrong to think that they owe me some consideration here. After all I had had problems with this recently, and I did mentioned it to the writer, and was resigned to paying for a new sensor. It would have been much more convenient to do it all at once. It would have been so much less embarrassing as my Rush Limbaugh worshiping brother in law was with us both times. Or am I just being unreasonable? Is it acceptable to break down, this soon after a major service, with the failure of a part you brought to the writer's attention?

Does anybody have an idea of what the repair should cost?

I will post the dealer's and service writer's name for better or worse after I find out how they treat this.


N.B. I'm not a Prius basher. I love my 2005, I loved my 2002, and -save for the Tesla- there's not another car on the market I'd rather have.

 

Well the dealer called and they say the stroke sensor is binding. Having looked at the tech diagrams that makes perfect sense to me. Of course the part is not in stock but they say it will be in tomorrow, $400 installed. I'll get a rental tonite - it's just not safe to drive as it is.

The biggest hassle so far was having to ask the shuttle driver to please turn the radio (Bill O'Reily) off. It's just not the venue for right or left wing political diatribes.

 

Well I got the car back this evening. $402, I should have seen Troy! I think the dealer, Beaverton Toyota, sensed my exasperation as the rental Corola was comped.

Indeed it was the stroke sensor. The long pedal stroke was caused by the lack of regen. Interestingly, the brakes are now smooth clear down to a full stop; previously they had developed a little grabbiness just before coming to a stop.

Two days driving a Crayola was a good reminder of how refined the Prius is.