Quote:
Originally Posted by barbara
I've had 2 incidents recently with my '01 Prius and the accelerator, but have not found the same problem described here. I don't have the uncontrolled acceleration, rather the opposite. Both times happened after an hour or two of interstate driving. After getting off the interstate and driving around 30 miles per hour for a while, the warning lights come on and the car stops responding to the gas pedal - that is, you can have it floored, and it'll go about 20 miles per hour or less. It'll jerk forward (speed up quickly) a little, but not to any fast speeds. Both times, this has lasted until we turned the car off for half an hour or so, then it's fine. A day later, the warning lights go off. Any help?
|
These symptoms are consistent with the "big hand" problem when the accelerator pedal potentiometers disagree and the control computer goes into a "limp home mode."
Quote:
Originally Posted by barbara
The local dealer just told me it'd cost $128 just to run the computer diagnostics and he wouldn't bother until it happens more often. At that point, I figured he was not the guy to go to for advice.
|
Getting a good diagnosis is the first step and I agree, $128 is too much. You might call some of the auto parts stores to see if any of them offer a free or 'reasonable' diagnostic code reading. I think AutoZone has this service but call first. Phone calls are fairly affordable and they might do it for free.
If you don't have any luck, send me a PM and we can work out a deal. I have a scanner but I'll need a significant deposit to cover its use. I'll refund the deposit as soon as the unit is returned. Alternatively, if you'll identify your city and state, we may be able to find someone with a scanner nearby who might come over and read out the codes. We just need to know city and state. I would insist on a $250 deposit and refund $225 minus shipping when the unit returns.
A second approach is I handle Doug's accelerator pedal refurbishment business. For a fee that is partially refundable upon return of the failed accelerator, I send you one that is known good (the one in my car) and either you or a local mechanic swaps it in. When your old accelerator returns, I refund the 'core charge.' However, without the codes, we won't know if this was (is) your problem. This will cost about $200 with a $50 refund for the old accelerator plus shipping and labor, either yourself or a mechanic.
A third approach is we point you to Doug's refurbishment instructions. You or a mechanic take out the accelerator, take it apart, clean the contacts, epoxy it together again, and install it back in the car. This takes time but could be done over a long weekend for very little money BUT the car is unusable until the repaired accelerator pedal is installed. This is likely to cost about $30 in parts plus about 4-6 hours of labor.
A fourth approach is to order an accelerator pedal from the Toyota parts department. When it arrives, let them or another mechanic or yourself install it in the car. This is likely to cost $500 plus labor.