Toyota Prius: Problem with Information screen

"Harvey Gersin" <net> wrote in message
news:com...
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.

--
___________________
Harvey Gersin
net


================================================== ==============

It's fairly common - reports from at least one person who has had it apart
point the finger of shame at the contacts for the display screen itself.

Mike

On Aug 24, 4:05 pm, "Harvey Gersin" <net>
wrote: 

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...

http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/toyota-prius-sat1/files/TSBs/2004%2B%20TSBs/EL002-05.pdf

To quote US TSB EL002-05:
<quote>
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.
</quote>

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:
http://www.trufit.com.au/Prius/ScreenUnitFailure/

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.

net wrote: 


What's the frequency and rate of this failure

Limited to 2004s?

On Aug 25, 3:42 pm, News <com> wrote: 

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!