So what do y'all think of this? It affects 2004-2005
vehicles. Is this the same problem that has been discussed
here? If so, I thought it had been fixed. Or maybe this just
affects the earlier 2005 vehicles?????
I do have to say I have seen some signal flicking off on my
dashboard. It is so quick, I can't catch what it is. No sign
of a problem though....

Signature
Jean B.
B. Peg - 14 Oct 2005 14:01 GMT
> "Jean B."wrote:
> So what do y'all think of this? It affects 2004-2005 vehicles. Is this
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> I do have to say I have seen some signal flicking off on my dashboard. It
> is so quick, I can't catch what it is. No sign of a problem though....
Haven't seen or gotten my notice yet (late '05 model bought in August).
I'll just wait it out as I haven't had any flickering warning lights or odd
behavior problems....yet.
B~
Bill - 14 Oct 2005 15:17 GMT
> So what do y'all think of this? It affects 2004-2005 vehicles. Is this
> the same problem that has been discussed here? If so, I thought it had
> been fixed. Or maybe this just affects the earlier 2005 vehicles?????
>
> I do have to say I have seen some signal flicking off on my dashboard. It
> is so quick, I can't catch what it is. No sign of a problem though....
I've been wondering about this too. I've had two instances where my Prius
stalled momentarily, both at slow speed in residential areas and with no
warning lights. The stalls lasted for 5 to 10 seconds, not long enough to
have much effect on my driving. I'll press slightly on the accelerator to
maintain speed. I sense what feels like a slightly rough idle and the car
fails to accelerate. My speed drops slightly. After 5 or 10 seconds the
sensation of rough idle goes away and the car accelerates to my target
speed. I've got about 6500 miles on the car now so you can see this isn't a
common occurrence.
Nav Anon - 14 Oct 2005 16:17 GMT
> > So what do y'all think of this? It affects 2004-2005 vehicles. Is this
> > the same problem that has been discussed here? If so, I thought it had
> > been fixed. Or maybe this just affects the earlier 2005 vehicles?????
> >
> > I do have to say I have seen some signal flicking off on my dashboard. It
> > is so quick, I can't catch what it is. No sign of a problem though....
> I've been wondering about this too. I've had two instances where my Prius
> stalled momentarily, both at slow speed in residential areas and with no
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> speed. I've got about 6500 miles on the car now so you can see this isn't a
> common occurrence.
This is interesting. It almost describes what happened to me earlier this
week on my new, late 2005 model. One additional item to add though, is that
it had been raining pretty good here, thus it was pretty slippery in places.
Specifically, I was stopped at a light (the first one in line). I just
tried to accelerate normally, then the car started to buck a little & stall.
I noticed the VSC light winking on my dash. I backed off the gas and in a
couple seconds everything was back to normal. I've tried to recreate the
situation, but without any luck. I'll keep trying. I suspect that this is
the way the VSC is going to always work. I'll just have to wait and see. I
don't like the noises that it makes though.
-Pah
Bill - 14 Oct 2005 20:39 GMT
>> > So what do y'all think of this? It affects 2004-2005 vehicles. Is
>> > this
[quoted text clipped - 38 lines]
>
> -Pah
To the best of my recollection I was on try pavement. My VSC has only
kicked-in once and that was when I tested it on a snow covered curve at
about 20 mph. It worked as advertised. :-)
mrv@kluge.net - 14 Oct 2005 18:03 GMT
Yes, there has been a TSB (US Technical Service Bulletin) out for the
engine reprogramming for the occasionally reported stall incidents
(only fix if error reported to dealer), and I did expect that
eventually it would become a SSC (Special Service Campaign) which is
done pro-actively on vehicles so they don't experience any problems...
(There was a separate TSB that was replaced by SSC 40A, which then had
another TSB which was later replaced by SSC 40D, which then had another
TSB (EG047-04)... It was only a matter of time before that became
another SSC...)
Anyhow, from the source:
Oct. 13 2005 Special Service Campaign:
http://toyota.jp/recall/campaign/051013.html
Here is the Babelfish translation (pre-mortar = Prius, NHW20 is the
model designation for the 2004-? Prius, Underhood carriage number =
VIN):
Service campaign of pre- mortar
Concerning the portion of the regular use car of the pre- mortar, from
2005 October 13th, service campaign of the below-mentioned contents (no
charge repair) we had decided to execute.
1. Phenomenon of vehicle
(1) There are times when the inhalation air quantity at the time of
engine starting decreases temporarily, as fail-safe function working
with engine rpm decrease, the warning light lights up, there are times
when it becomes motor travelling.
(2) There are times when the moisture comes in contact with the
terminal of the rotary sensor connector for the generator inside the
trance axle, as fail-safe function working with resistance change, the
warning light lights up, there are times when it becomes motor
travelling.
2. Contents of improvement
(1) The program of all vehicle and the engine control computer is
corrected.
(2) The grease for waterproofing is applied to all vehicle and the
particular connector)
3. Object vehicle
ZA-NHW20
DAA-NHW20
Pre- mortar
The object car it is included-Under carriage number, Production period,
Remark
NHW20-0001002 - NHW20-0130298, 2003 August 1st - 2004 October 13th,
(1)(2)
NHW20-0130301 - NHW20-0133242, 2004 September 23rd - 2004 October 12th,
(1)
NHW20-3000002 - NHW20-3013252, 2004 September 30th - 2004 November
16th, (1)
NHW20-7000000 - NHW20-7003412, 2004 October 6th - 2004 November 20th,
(1)
Note:1. Because also the vehicle which does not become the object is
included in the range of the under carriage number where the object car
is included, please inquire at the Toyota store of the vicinity
concerning details.
2. Production period of the object car differs from the time of
purchase.
Doing to apply annoyance, there is no excuse truly in everyone of
regular use, but making guide from the Toyota store, because it
receives, ahead of time, it comes to the pre- mortar handling store of
the vicinity and reservation receives store day and time, inspection
repair (no charge) to receive that it receives, it asks.
We apologize to everyone of regular use from thing and the heart which
very much applied annoyance.
Bill - 14 Oct 2005 20:45 GMT
> Yes, there has been a TSB (US Technical Service Bulletin) out for the
> engine reprogramming for the occasionally reported stall incidents
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> TSB (EG047-04)... It was only a matter of time before that became
> another SSC...)
Thanks! Having been delivered in February, I suppose my Prius falls into
that time frame. Have no idea where to look for the "undercarriage" number
but certainly my dealer can find it. I'll whine next time they change my
oil.
mrv@kluge.net - 15 Oct 2005 13:56 GMT
The "undercarriage" number is the VIN. Only the last 7 digits (serial
number) are given on the Japanese site.
You can also check your month of manufacturer by looking at the VIN
plate on the driver's door jamb. (Same place to look up your
exterior/interior color codes.) At the top of the (black) plate, next
to Toyota Motor Corporation, at the top right corner is a date in MM/YY
format. That's the month/year of manufacture of your Prius.
Bill - 15 Oct 2005 17:45 GMT
> The "undercarriage" number is the VIN. Only the last 7 digits (serial
> number) are given on the Japanese site.
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> to Toyota Motor Corporation, at the top right corner is a date in MM/YY
> format. That's the month/year of manufacture of your Prius.
Thanks! Ignoring all but the last seven digits (the others digits aren't
remotely similar) my VIN is slightly beyond the range of the third row
listed.
mrv@kluge.net - 15 Oct 2005 13:58 GMT
http://pressroom.toyota.com/Releases/View?id=TYT2005101389230
Toyota Announces Voluntary Special Service Campaign on 2004 and Early
2005 Model Year Prius
10/13/2005 Torrance, CA
Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc., will launch a Special Service
Campaign involving certain 2004 and early 2005 model year Prius sold in
the U.S.
On the involved vehicles, an issue with the program logic in the
Electronic Control Module (ECM) system may cause some or all of the
following warning lights to illuminate: Master, Hybrid System, Engine,
Vehicle Stability Control, and Brake. If this occurs, the vehicle will
enter a "fail-safe" mode which allows limited operation via the
electric motor. However, the electrically-powered brake and steering
operation will continue to function normally if this condition occurs.
The electric motor will also provide enough power to allow the driver
to pull the vehicle over and away from traffic. Once the vehicle is
stopped, the driver may be able to restart the gasoline engine in the
vehicle by pushing the start button.
Approximately 75,000 2004 and 2005 model year Prius vehicles may be
affected by this condition. Toyota is proactively conducting a campaign
in the interest of its customers.
Toyota will inform owners of the involved vehicles with a Special
Service Campaign notification letter sent via first class mail
beginning in late-October. Owners are requested to contact their local
Toyota dealer for diagnosis and repair upon receiving their
notification. Toyota will reprogram the ECM system at no charge to the
owners of the vehicle. Also, in certain vehicles a special dielectric
grease will be applied, at no charge, to a connector for the transaxle,
which may cause a similar condition.
Customers with questions or concerns should contact the Toyota Customer
Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331.