Just Bought Used 2005 Prius... Having Some Issues

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Green Goat @ Aug 12 2007, 04:09 PM) [snapback]494411[/snapback]</div>

The only other time that happened to me was fixed by replacing the bulbs. This was not on a Prius however. Having owned both and FM modulator for an Ipod and a cassette adapter, I think you would be making a big mistake to purchase a cassette deck just to use a cassette adapter for your Ipod. They both sound about the same. Does the 2005 CD player read Mp3s? If so, you could just burn your music to a CD in mp3 format to get the sound quality you're looking for. It certainly isn't Ipod capacity but it might do for commuting.

 

If you go to toyotaownersonline.com, you can register and then see the maintenance requirements. But they should be in your owner's manual.

 

Headlights... do not know... bulbs? as others have suggested.

The ipod issue is easier. There a a few aftermarket adaptors. I have a DICE system in my 2005... check out PriusChat's store. I installed it myself and ran the cord into the little storage box under the stereo. That way I can leave the iPod in the car if I want to and it and its cord are out of sight. It plugs into the factory stereo and there's some limited ability to see the tracks on the MFD and also use the track up and down steering wheel controls. There are other similar systems. All have their own problems, but in general, Ive been happy with mine. Search "DICE" on Priuschat as well.

Good luck! and welcome to PriusChat.

 

Tony, based on your correct assertion about HID headlights and Green Goat's statement:<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Green Goat @ Aug 12 2007, 04:09 PM) [snapback]494411[/snapback]</div>

and <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Green Goat @ Aug 12 2007, 04:09 PM) [snapback]494411[/snapback]</div>

I think it is safe to assume GG has halogen headlamps.

You're on the right track, GG, checking fuses first. It seems unlikely that the original owner would have driven without headlights. I'm guessing you got a manual since you seem to know where the fuses are located. If it's not the fuses (one for each side) it may be the lamp. You could buy two, from a place that will let you return them if it doesn't fix the problem, pull one lamp and plug in the new bulb and see if it lights. If it does, install the lamp and replace the other. If not, take them back and ask here again, maybe someone will have a better answer. How could the car be sold if it didn't have headlights? That seems like a safety issue.

As for the iPod adapter, the DICE unit plugs into the back of the radio and looks like a second CD changer to the head end. It's not too hard to install, there are instructions here on PC. My 2005 has the JBL sound system, but I think the wiring is the same. Vagabond is our local DICE expert.

Galaxee posted a great list of needed (and unneeded) services. The "transmission" on a Prius is not like one on any other car, so flushing is not quite so simple. Search here or with Google for discussion on pros and cons.

And welcome to PriusChat!

 

You can go to http://priuschat.com/index.php?act=Attach&...ost&id=5354 to see what I used for installing my DICE. It's for installing a VAIS, but the procedure is the same.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Green Goat @ Aug 12 2007, 06:33 PM) [snapback]494445[/snapback]</div>

It uses the CD changer port on the back of the stereo that's there whether or not you have the CD changer. You'll use the "CD changer" mode on the stereo (which will appear once the DICE is connected) for DICE control.

The installation was quite easy once I deciphered it. The DICE kit did not come with very good instructions and as you may have noticed the "search" function on Priuschat is less than fully functional. Use google search instead. I am not a tech-head...just a middle-aged woman who's moderately handy. I do, however, still think of electricity as magical things that happen when I plug my electrical items in. College physics didn't help this idee fixe on my part.

Here's a the basic install procedure (for a VAIS, but the teardown and install is the same) http://priuschat.com/index.php?act=Attach&...ost&id=5767. The key to my installation was the 5 mm (I THINK...) socket to take out the main screw under the stereo (in step 5).

Another few points:
1. install the DICE unit somewhere where you can access it easily in the future. A known bug is that very occasionally the MFD (the screen) will completely act as if it's totally broken. Even my dealer thought I needed a new one (under warranty) until I ran across this thread: http://priuschat.com/DICE-for-iPod-kills-M...ice-t34094.html . You just have to detach the DICE cable from the DICE unit (not behind the stereo) momentarily and then reconnect. I installed mine to the left of the lower glove box (vertically in the little space between the exterior of the glovebox and the wall to the left with a bit of velcro.) Pulling the glove box takes only a couple of seconds. With the bottom glovebox open, squeeze the sides of the box together near the rear and pull it right out.
2. I drilled a small hole in the back of the little box below the stereo, as I said to run the cable from the DICE to the iPod. Makes concealing it easy, and little chance of accidentally leaving the 'pod in sight. You can set it and close the little door and there are no cords or anything else visible.
3. Some people seem to prefer the VAIS iPod connector system, but I can't speak to that one and how it performs. Most problems seem to be with older DICE units and to the issue in #1 above. Many people have actually had the MFD replaced thinking the DICE had damaged the computer/screen. That issue happened exactly once to me so far, and was fixed in about 2 minutes once I knew what the problem was.
4. I find it irritating that the DICE doesn't show the names of the playlists on the MFD, although it does show the name of the track, artist, album, etc. I have MANY playlists, and you can use the MFD/steering wheel controls to choose the next playlist, but unless you have the names memorized, it's often easier to choose the playlist on the iPod itself, and just use the up/down steering wheel buttons to switch between songs on the playlist. I don't know if the VAIS system fixes this problem.

Sonya

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(edselpdx @ Aug 13 2007, 05:04 PM) [snapback]495058[/snapback]</div>

According to http://priuschat.com/index.php?showtopic=37222= you have the playlist constantly and can cycle to see the artist, title and album. If you do want to change playlists via the iPod you press the SCAN button 8 times.

What I did was go to an AT&T site (based on a comment from this forum) which changed text to a .wav file. I made a .wav file of every title of my playlists then put that one as the first song. When you cycle through the playlists you hear which one it is. If you're looking at the MFD (in Title) you'll see the name too, but it's only for a second or so.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(aaf709 @ Aug 13 2007, 05:31 PM) [snapback]495076[/snapback]</div>

That may work for some, but I'm a Mac user and use my iPod for synching (frequent updates including pocasts and audiobooks), burning, and my car and home stereo systems, so am not inclined to change to the .wav system.

 

60K would probably be a good time for a tranny-fluid change [not flush],
unless it's already been done. The used-oil-analysis crew seems to agree
that 50K is what they'd recommend [with a fair degree of slop in the
timing thereof] but definitely don't run the factory fill to 100K or
whatever the "passport" says about it.
.
_H*

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(edselpdx @ Aug 13 2007, 07:43 PM) [snapback]495151[/snapback]</div>

I only meant that the first song on the playlist is a .wav file which says the name of that playlist, so you don't have to change anything else.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Green Goat @ Aug 12 2007, 07:09 PM) [snapback]494411[/snapback]</div>

"X Mile" Services are great marketing. They allow the Service Dept. to charge a lot more for the simple stuff you really need. Ask for the prices of the individual things then compare to the Service.

 

Get copies of both the owner's manual and the maintenance schedule. They are separate documents; the owner's manual does not contain a maintenance schedule. The maintenance schedule can help you avoid wasting hundreds of dollars buying un-needed services that dealers always sell.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(richard schumacher @ Aug 17 2007, 11:03 AM) [snapback]497812[/snapback]</div>

Use this.

 

RTF?! How about the flat text it started as, yo?
.
http://priuschat.com/index.php?showtopic=29898
.
_H*