Carwash Woes

welcome! they might be right, and maybe the car wash was just a coincidence. ask the dealer for the codes and post them here. if they do point to the tranny, it's worth getting a second opinion, and looking into a salvage unit. or maybe it's time to move on, i think you got your moneys worth.

 

without codes, we can't be of much help. how is your 12 volt battery?

 

Not worth the repair.

 

Not entirely clear as to why a better title for this thread would of been "Transmission Woes" as opposed to "Car Wash Woes" as at 8 years old with 183,000 miles it's far more likely this problem is a result of normal age and use, as opposed to having anything to do with going through a car wash.

I don't know, a $5000 dollar investment into repairing a vehicle at that age, with as high a miles seems prohibitive.
But before making any decision I think I'd want another diagnosis and opinion.

Irreparable "Short" in the transmission so you need a whole new transmission seems like quite possible THE most expensive answer to the problem.

How difficult would it be to try a different dealership? Can you afford to get a second opinion? Or are you really just ready to move on?

 

Just to be clear Nancy. Are you saying that your Prius was running perfectly prior to going through a car wash (no warning lights at all), and then experienced this problem while going through (or immediately afterwards). Is that correct?

If that is the case it definitely seems like a bit of a coincidence. If you have any good independent hybrid workshops in the area then I'd definitely get it towed there for a second opinion before even considering a new transmission. Preferably somewhere that can/will actually clean and inspect the wiring and cable entry points of the transmission.

 

Wonder if OP (Original Poster's) problems could be like the Gen1 Strator windings? Luscious Garage | Blog | Gen 1 Prius Transmission Repair, P3009, P3120, P3125
But some DTC should have been logged, and retrieved by the Toyota dealer techs when they performed the diagnosis.

A new transaxle installation is $5K, from the dealer. Slightly under $3k part (2007 Toyota Prius Parts - Camelback Toyota Parts - Genuine OEM Parts - Free Shipping), so $2K+ in labor.

Since you still seem happy w/ the car, installation of a used transaxle (low mileage, non impact: front, front Right/Left) might be a good option. This sites shows plenty of stock from various auto dismantlers ($525-$925); 2007 Toyota Prius Used Transmission - Auto Parts Fair® I'm sure there are other auto dismantles on the Internet too. Just a matter of finding a qualified independent shop to do the install or just pay the dealer the approximate $2k labor for install; obviously NO warranty what so ever. Installation of a used transaxle will probably be $2.5K+.

There are plenty of dealer coupons on dealer websites for a decent percentage off retail part and discounted labor. All dealers I've encountered will honor other dealer coupons (part, service, both). This is another option that may drive the labor cost down a few hundred. Costco membership has retail parts coupon and possibly labor discount coupon too. AAA definitely has these discounts available for members; 10% seems to be the standard discount dealers give AAA members.

Was the transaxle fluid (ATF-WS) ever changed on this car? If never, could be another compelling reason for naysayers to perform a drain/fill of the transaxle.

Was the HV Battery ever replaced w/ a new or rebuilt HV Battery? That will be a part that will definitely fail, if it hasn't already. Factor this HV Battery failure into your overall consideration to proceed w/ a transaxle repair, or purchasing a new/used car. Individual module replacement is cheap, but an inconvenient, non-reliable long term solution.

Let us know the codes and your decision (repair or different car). Good luck.

 

1) Demand a refund. Incompetence clearly on display. Essentially you paid $260 for a crappy exterior car wash, after the car sat for a week.
2) Raise a stink w/ the Service Manager.
3) Raise a stink w/ Toyota Customer Care; as much as corporations suck, they do want to know when they have bad actors destroying their brand name/reputation. A relatively quick phone call.
4) Contact your State's regulating agency that oversees auto repairs. Complaints filed online now.

That's just me: come down hard on wrong doers.

 

I have washed my engine many times at the car wash. Did it a few hours ago. Never had a problem. Probably not the car wash.

 

Yeah that seems suspect Nancy. Get that car towed somewhere else as soon as possible. I wouldn't let those guys touch it.

Keep us updated.
Thanks.