Problem with Information screen

After 40,000 miles with my 2004 Prius, the Information Module which displays the engine monitor, audio, comfort settings (no navigation) dropped dead this week. Dealer is ordering a new module and should be installed next week.

Interested in any other experience with a similar failure and what may have caused it.

Reply to
Harvey Gersin
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Interested in any other experience with a similar failure and what may have caused it.

Reply to
Michael Pardee

the engine monitor, audio, comfort settings (no navigation) dropped dead this week. Dealer is ordering a new module and should be installed next week.

It's happening on 2004 Highlanders and Land Cruisers with the Navigation system, and on 2004 Prius with or without the Navigation system. There are different part numbers for the Nav and non-Nav Prius displays, so if you are having problems make sure your dealer orders the correct one for your car...

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To quote US TSB EL002-05:

Some customers may experience various malfunctions occuring in the multi-display. Some examples are:

  • "Audio off" is shown on audio screen while the audio system is playing.
  • Climate control is not responsive and may say "Check connection of the air conditioner."
  • Map, Destination buttons are inoperative and may display "External system not connected."
  • When pressing any button on the multi-display, the system takes 5 to
10 seconds to respond to the user's input.
  • Outside air temperature not displayed.

Prior reports on various Prius boards have noted other Classic Prius' Newarkitis symptoms: no charge on the battery icon, no arrow flows on the Energy Monitor, a "stuck" Consumption screen showing many consecutive 100MPG (or 0 l/100km) segments even with the engine running at idle... It will occur randomly at first, but will get progressively worse. It's only covered for the basic 3 year/36,000 mile warranty, so be careful if you're going past on mileage as it could be very expensive... Car is fully driveable, but it's mostly an annoyance. A reboot may temporarily fix the problem. Problem has been reported on US, Canadian, and Australian Prius so far that I've noted, recently on the UK list, but I don't recall one way or the other on the European lists... Here's some photos taken by an Australian Prius owner of what's occuring:

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The car is safe to drive while waiting for the part (usually on backorder these days). Usually the buttons on the steering wheel work best when trying to change things and the display is acting up.

The good thing is that if you have a pre-April 2004 Prius with the navigation system, the new display will change the Info button on the steering wheel to toggle between the Energy Screen and the Consumption Monitor.

I have seen a few people post on the Prius-2G yahoogroup and on priusonline.com that they went past 36,000 miles, no extended warranty, and had to replace the MFD. New MFD is about US$3000. Many of these people politely argued with their dealer (and even escalated to the Toyota Customer Assistance toll-free number) that this is not a part that is mileage dependent, and is known to fail, so they should have some help in replacing it. Typically they'll then get charged the price of the replacement MFD through the TSB (a refurbished unit, about US$450), and may or may not get free labor, instead of the brand new price with labor.

Reply to
mrv

the engine monitor, audio, comfort settings (no navigation) dropped dead this week. Dealer is ordering a new module and should be installed next week.

What's the frequency and rate of this failure

Limited to 2004s?

Reply to
News

the engine monitor, audio, comfort settings (no navigation) dropped dead this week. Dealer is ordering a new module and should be installed next week.

caused it.

2004s are known to have the problem - hence the TSB. However, a loose connection to the MFD can also cause similar symptoms in any model year.

Oh, and if you are having a replacement MFD under the TSB (part swap for refurbishment), be sure to clear out your stored phone book, as the next user to get your refurbed MFD may get all your numbers!

Reply to
mrv

The multi-display problems described by US TSB EL002-05 is exactly what I am experiencing.

Fortunately, I took out the extended warranty up to 100,000 miles or 7 years, and my dealer said the replacement module is covered.

It's on order and hopefully, will get it installed this coming week.

Thank you for the information. I guess it's good to know I'm not alone.

Reply to
Harvey Gersin

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