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As for eBay, if you do that you should check out the seller's ratings and comments from other buyers. If it were me, I'd only by a Prius on eBay if it were certified brand new and from a Toyota dealer, and if there is a way to back out of the deal if I don't like the car for some reason (but I think eBay sales are "final").
> What I don't believe is that this is cronic. A report or two isn't enough to say an entire production build of vehicles are included. Keep in mind that those of us in the north are exposing our Prius to excessive amounts of moisture without experiencing the same problem.
You have only my word that the Hyannis people told me it was a build error in using the wrong connector and that the grease is a temporary fix. He told me this after consulting with the Toyota tech line! Today, Toyota claims that the grease is a "permanent" fix.
You also only have my word that the Jackson mechanic explained that the connector is **inside** the transmission and so is not affected by outside conditions.
The explanation for the failure is as follows (as I recall from my discussions with the two mechanics and/or service advisors).
Water condenses on the wire that leads to the M5 connector. This takes place inside the transaxle. This water travels down the wire and into the connector itself. Moisture in the connector causes random failure because of interference with signals being sent around the car.
Check your build number. Mine is under 10,000. If yours is sufficiently above it, then you have the proper connector. The alternate explanation is that all of these people were lying to me -- possible, but not likely -- and that Toyota is not hiding the truth because they'd really like to replace 10,000 transaxles, which (by the way) would impact their ability to build and ship more new Priuses and so would cost them much more than just the transaxle costs.
If my problem (and that of juliaj) is unique, nothing more will happen. If, instead, more reports like mine occur (with the grease fix), then Toyota will eventually have to own up to the error, especially if the grease fix isn't "permanent." A few deaths would help to get their attention. I'm not volunteering and I'm fairly sure that no one else on this list will either.
These people said that they did nothing but inspect the previous repair because the Prius computer showed no new codes.
This RO says, "Has not recurred since last repair. Did not duplicate condition. Close per Toyota."
At the time of the first repair, I was told that if I waited a week, I would get a new transaxle. I was also told that they could repair temporarily so I could get back to CA for my business, and that the replacement would take place there. Clearly this message came from Toyota engineering. The MA people could not make these assurances on their own.
Although the second visit had the mechanic getting "special grease" to pack the connection, these people say that silicone was applied to the connection between the wire and the connector boot and that this silicone will prevent recurrence.
Upon further friendly questioning, the service advisor admitted that even this fix was temporary and that the final fix would be a waterproof boot on the M5 connector sometime in the future.
I feel used. I don't like getting various inconsistent messages from the same organization. As a result, I don't trust what is said. When the DSPM calls, I'll ask for an iron-clad guarantee in writing that this condition will never recur. We'll see how solidly Toyota stands behind their latest "repair."
Because the silicone addition was never mentioned in Jackson, I have to assume that it was done in CA and not disclosed. I hate assuming anything, especially when my life and fortune are involved.
I actually got 36 mpg in the city, averaged over the first 200 miles. I bought this 2004 Prius only a week ago, have driven it gently for about 200 miles, still in the break-in. I have followed the gas economy tips in the user's manual. The roads were flat. I was alone in the car with no cargo. My weight is 1500 lbs, I mean, only 1/10 of that, 150 lbs. I am very disappointed!
But...What does it mean? How do you translate that number to the date the car was built?
Drscientific: Sure hope this all works out for you. What a Bummer!!
Maybe there's still hope!?!
Jennifer
We are told that we will get our Prius on Dec. 26. Will let you know in the Buying Experience forum how that goes.
The Prius might be replacing my A4 Avant when my lease is up next fall.
Test fitting is the smart thing to do.
-juice
But seriously, how many times will this be a problem?
If you are a "full size" person, it would tend to make sense that you'd need a "full size" vehicle.
So... what does that mean? Are the category labels now meaningless in some respects or are some people's expectations misplaced?
JOHN
Takes 3 weeks to 2 months to deliver in AZ...so I was told and selling at MSRP.
The Prius is now a government midsize ... but in Toyota's world (at least on this side of the pond) it is far to the small end of the portfolio.
That said, I'm an average 5'11" and finicky about leg and head room. Why leave choice to government and corporate naming convention? Test drive!!
> Prius was built?
Look on the door-jam of the Prius for month & year.
Look on a Toyota service receipt for the exact day.
JOHN
I think Prius is reasonably roomy for its size, put it that way.
-juice
So now with the more powerful new Prius, the issue is dead. Not only can it handle the climb, it can likely show off a bit now too.
JOHN
We are suppose to pick it up Dec 26.
Haven't you been warned about being so extraordinarily VAGUE ?
That comment is completely void of any constructive content. Detail please. For all we now, you could have been trying to literally climb a mountain, which would obviously be harder than a road on a mountain.
JOHN
I didn't see any numerical data whatsoever. SPEED, DISTANCE, GRADE, ROAD TYPE, and LOAD were not mentioned. Those factors all make a huge difference. Omitting them entirely is vague.
> You are the one who cited 10 dB at highway speed
NEVER did I claim that! The reference was about city type driving. How it became highway is still a mystery.
Lastly, attempts to discredit a person by excluding exact quotes and inferring meaning is not constructive in any way, shape, or form. So I refuse to acknowledge any of them.
JOHN
What the heck does that mean?
Electricity is produced 100% of the time the engine is providing thrust. There is no way to not have electrical activity.
In fact, the battery-pack is not even necessary to use the propulsion-motor. The engine normally feeds it directly anyway.
JOHN
The power lines outside your home always have power available but do you always use it??
And...
In the Prius there are two "propulsion" motors, one gas and one electric.
And I rather doubt if you are correct about the ICE's generator driving the electric motor directly.
> generator driving the electric motor directly.
No wonder you've been adversarial, you have a misunderstanding about how HSD works.
Take a look at the Multi-Display videos available on my website. You will very clearly see how the gasoline engine feeds the electric motor directly. This is NOT a topic of debate; it is a very very very well documented fact.
THAT'S WHY THE BATTERY-PACK LASTS SO LONG! It doesn't get used much when the engine is running.
Do some research. You'll discover that Toyota's design actually CANNOT send 100% of the thrust from engine directly to the wheels, even if it wanted to. And with a ridiculously powerful electric 50kW motor (capable of 295 lb-ft of torque) why wouldn't you want to take advantage of the electric abilities?
Your strange use of the term "electrics" is misleading at best, mostly just confusing.
50kW MOTOR is the big sucker. This is the one used for electric propulsion and for brake-regeneration.
10kW MOTOR is the little guy. It's the generator that produces electricity via the engine and non-braking kinetic energy opportunities.
PLANETARY-CVT is what bonds those 2 motors together combined with the engine to create both thrust & electricity while offering regeneration as well.
That is how the "FULL" hybrid design in HSD works.
The design in "ASSIST" hybrids is significantly different. With them, there is only 1 motor. So the creation & consumption of electricity can't happen simultaneously like it can in a "FULL" hybrid.
JOHN