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dash indicators, MFD pinging and displaying "Problem"

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by eblade, Mar 20, 2014.

  1. eblade

    eblade Junior Member

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    ... This is quite a difficult one to Google, based on the words involved :)

    Situation: 2007 Prius, the "Maint Required" light popped on over the last weekend - ok, cool, we'll get that taken care of real quick. About two weeks prior, the Check Engine light had come on during a short trip, but went out a few minutes later.

    Shortly thereafter, on a high-speed highway entrance with a slight curve, the Red Triangle lit up briefly. Haven't seen it since. Sort of thinking it's probably just related to the fact that we were doing 70 on a curve.

    Wed, the Check Engine light came on, and isn't going off.

    During the time between Saturday and Tuesday, we've seen the MFD make a "Ping" sound (just like it does when "Add Fuel" comes up), but the message is "Problem".

    We're dropping it at our usual service center today, but I was just wondering if anyone might have any insight into any bits there? I know the "Check Engine" could be practically anything, without a code reader .. but perhaps this MFD going "Problem" ? Anyone seen that before?
     
    #1 eblade, Mar 20, 2014
  2. jdenenberg

    jdenenberg EE Professor

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    Check your oil level.

    JeffD
     
    #2 jdenenberg, Mar 20, 2014
  3. eblade

    eblade Junior Member

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    I'm across the country right now, so the lady is having the oil and tire rotation done first thing tomorrow morning. Hopefully that's all it is. Weird when the MFD is just going "*ping* - Problem" though. and difficult as hell to Google :D
     
    #3 eblade, Mar 20, 2014
  4. nh7o

    nh7o Off grid since 1980

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    The most common cause of this situation happens as a result of quick turns or braking. If the oil is low, these changes in speed slosh the level around so that suddenly the oil intake pipe is high and dry. Many posts on this forum with this scenario.You need to check the oil in the Prius just as much as any normal car.

    There are other causes for the "Problem" display to happen, but the oil is the first thing to check.

    Welcome to Prius Chat. Lots of help here.
     
    #4 nh7o, Mar 21, 2014
  5. eblade

    eblade Junior Member

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    Makes perfect sense. We just got the oil and rotation done, but they didn't reset the maintenance light, oopsie. She's swinging it back by on her way to work to make sure they do that. She said the rest of the lights are out and haven't come back on yet, and no pinging from the MFD, but it's only been about 20 miles so far.

    We've only had the car since September, and have been having a blast with it, but can't wait for Michigan to thaw out :D
     
    #5 eblade, Mar 21, 2014
  6. nh7o

    nh7o Off grid since 1980

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    Get a copy of the owners manual if you don't have one. It has the procedure for resetting the maint. reqd. light. PDF download from several places.
     
    #6 nh7o, Mar 21, 2014
  7. jdenenberg

    jdenenberg EE Professor

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    From now on keep a close eye on the oil level as Prii do start using oil as they "mature"

    JeffD
     
    #7 jdenenberg, Mar 21, 2014
  8. dorunron

    dorunron Senior Member

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    You can reset the maintenance light by doing the following steps.

    1) Confirm that your Odometer is set to "odometer" (ie. NOT to Trip A or Trip B)
    2) Start with the car off.
    3) Press and hold the ODO button...don't release it until the process is complete
    4) put the car in either Ignition On (2 presses of power button without pressing the brake) or Ready (one push with foot on brake).
    5) Watch the area where the odometer reading shows up...it will show zeros that become dashes, then flashes to the regular odometer reading. Once you see that you can release the odo button and turn off the car.

    This will reset the maint req. light which will flash on briefly in 4500 miles and come on and stay on in 5000 miles.

    The above 5 steps should reset the maintenance light on a Gen II Prius. Hope this helps!
     
    #8 dorunron, Mar 21, 2014
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