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Traction control preventing speed over 53 mph

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by DeeTeeEl, Sep 26, 2019.

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  1. DeeTeeEl

    DeeTeeEl Junior Member

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    Hi all I have a 2007 Prius with maybe 120k miles.
    The traction control comes on (pulses on and off I believe) progressively preventing speed over 53 mph, bumpy roads seems to bring it on at lower speeds. Mechanic performing yearly state inspection said a right side suspension part was starting to wear out (possibly control arm bushing? I admit I forgot what he said.). There are no other symptoms: no steering wheel vibration, pulling etc.
    I need to get this issue repaired, I just don't want to be forced into buying repairs and parts that are not needed..... this mechanic is not always as reputable as he is skillful. Originally I though it was a wheel sensor,, But on very smooth sections of highway (not easy to find near me) traction control stops engaging for a while, I am guessing that front end vibrations could mimic a momentary loss of traction.

    Any ideas on how to troubleshoot this in our driveway? Prius is jacked up but it is still hard to get under it and get a sense of what might be worn in the suspension assembly, what should I try to wiggle.
     
    #1 DeeTeeEl, Sep 26, 2019
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i have never heard of this problem. i would look for a good alignment shop. how are the tires?
     
    #2 bisco, Sep 26, 2019
  3. meeder

    meeder Active Member

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    If the suspension has some bad parts which cause excessive vibration it could fool the system in thinking something is wrong.
    I would suggest taking it into a shop which can test shock absorbers and other suspension parts.
     
    #3 meeder, Sep 26, 2019
  4. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

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    Just to recheck some easy things first: do all the tires match?
     
    #4 fuzzy1, Sep 26, 2019
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  5. Skibob

    Skibob Senior Member

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    First thing I thought of also.
     
    #5 Skibob, Sep 26, 2019
  6. meeder

    meeder Active Member

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    That is a good suggestion as well. If the there is a difference in circumference there is a speed difference which can cause issues.
     
    #6 meeder, Sep 26, 2019
  7. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    Because one bad sensor is sending out a false report.
    I'm pretty sure that a wheel speed sensor is a LOT cheaper than front suspension work......especially if it is due to a corroded connector or broken wire.
    This might be one time that a visit to a "real" Toyota shop might save you money in the end.
     
    #7 sam spade 2, Sep 26, 2019
  8. DeeTeeEl

    DeeTeeEl Junior Member

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    Front tires are new. This problem existed(but less) already when I got new tires 3 months ago. I want to avoid the situation where the mechanic troubleshoots problem by replacing parts one by one which can run me a lot of money.
     
    #8 DeeTeeEl, Sep 26, 2019
  9. DeeTeeEl

    DeeTeeEl Junior Member

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    2 fronts are new. rears are nearer to end of life.
     
    #9 DeeTeeEl, Sep 26, 2019
  10. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    that would take knowledge and expertise. simply eyeballing the suspension may not tell you anything.

    a professional alignment is not that expensive
     
    #10 bisco, Sep 26, 2019
  11. DeeTeeEl

    DeeTeeEl Junior Member

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    is this how these wheel sensors fail?.... symptom is that sensor errors are increasing with speed? I think I will get front end looked at, Even though the parts are expensive.
     
    #11 DeeTeeEl, Sep 26, 2019
  12. Skibob

    Skibob Senior Member

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    The question is are they the same size?

    Are they all the tire size listed on the sticker in the door frame?
     
    #12 Skibob, Sep 26, 2019
  13. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

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    Take the car to the same place you bought the tires at for a free front end inspection. The G2 prius is no different than any other car suspension wise very easy and uncomplicated.Very easy to troubleshoot.
     
    #13 edthefox5, Sep 26, 2019
  14. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    Pulled the diagnostic codes yet?
     
    #14 ChapmanF, Sep 26, 2019
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  15. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    Not if you make them agree up front that YOU won't pay for parts that do NOT fix the problem.
    If they need to guess, they should guess with THEIR money.

    You might have to pay a bit of extra labor though.
     
    #15 sam spade 2, Sep 27, 2019
  16. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    You need to think this through.

    Even if the suspension is in PERFECT condition, significant bumps will still shake the whole car and the wheels.

    If there is an intermittent connection, either inside the sensor or in the wiring, "fixing" the suspension will just make the problem show up a bit less.......maybe.
     
    #16 sam spade 2, Sep 27, 2019
  17. DeeTeeEl

    DeeTeeEl Junior Member

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    There are 2 Toyota dealerships within 2 miles of me, one famously has had issues, the other has decent feedback..... I only have experience with this one sketchy mechanic and the Pep-boys nearby..... I think i will wait till monday to bring it in somewhere. thanks for all the ideas here.
     
    #17 DeeTeeEl, Sep 27, 2019
  18. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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    Late to the party. But if I was a betting man, I'd put my money on the wheel speed sensor or wire.
     
    #18 jerrymildred, Sep 27, 2019
  19. Jennifer A.

    Jennifer A. Junior Member

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    I had the same problem (pulsing traction control alarm preventing highway speeds) in my 2007 Prius of 240K miles. As others surmised, it turned out to be the tires! The tire center accidentally put on a 195 instead of a 185, and I didn't realize that was the cause of my problem until checking this forum.
     
    #19 Jennifer A., Oct 5, 2019
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  20. MARK A SLOO sloo

    MARK A SLOO sloo Junior Member

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    This happened to us when I put 2 new tires on our 2005 Prius. The rear tires were a slightly different size than the front and when we got up to 50mph the traction control would come on. It went away when I put the same size tire on all 4 tires.
     
    #20 MARK A SLOO sloo, Mar 1, 2020
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