My husband just changed the 12v battery himself and now the yellow brake light warning signal is on the dash (!). He said he removed the 'supply assy brake control power' in order to install the 12v battery and when he reconnected it, the SABCP box made a spark when he put the last top screw in on (like a short circuit) when he attached it to the metal bracket that holds it in place. BTW, the car was on in the 'ready' position. Apparently, he had finished everything, turned the car on to make sure the 12v battery worked, saw a small screw he forgot for the SABCP box and then quickly screwed it in, then the spark. Soooooooooooo......What now? Is this a fuse that we can replace? Do we have to take it to the dealer? Is it safe to drive? Do we have to replace the SABCP box? is there anything we can do?! THANK YOU in advance !
The issue causing the spark is that the brake power supply unit is filled with electrolytic capacitors which charged up when the ground circuit was completed (via bolting the unit into place.) That surge of current caused the spark. Do a search for how to clear the skid control ECU DTC by using a jumper wire on the OBD-II socket. That may solve the problem.
I agree with what Patrick has said above, but maybe there has been some damage to the SABCP. Thinking about the battery replacement procedure, the short 10mm bolt that attaches to the top of the SABCP could be confused with another longer 10mm bolt used elsewhere (either a hold-down bolt on the HV battery ventilation exhaust pipe or the inboard 12V battery mounting bracket, can't remember which). I also don't know how close any components inside the SABCP might be to where a longer bolt might break through the case and short them out. I always make it a point to have everything bolted back in place and connected back up before reconnecting the negative clip on the battery.
Thanks for the advice. I am going to do that search and try it in the morning and let you know how it went. I will also talk to my husband about the lengths of the bolts and the correct placement of them. Btw, forgot to mention it is 2007 prius just in case that is relevant. Thanks again!
Yes, my husband said that he did confuse the short and long bolt, but put them back in the correct place (obviously after the spark). So do that mean the SABCP could be permanently damaged?
Patrick, we just did the skid control ECU DTC with jumper wire, and the yellow (!) light was steady, but now that ABS light is flashing (which is new) and there is no code, or perhaps I don't know how to read it. I will look into that. And we were unable to reset the light brake control light (!) after putting jumper wire in 4 and 13 when ig-off, and then making it ready and pumping brake 8x in 5 seconds then taking jumper wire out while still in ready. We removed the jumper wire and the ABS light was flashing, and then after turning car off and on the ABS light is now off, but the yellow (!) light is still on. Thank you! (also, did you see my post above that my husband did accidentally switch the screws which may have caused spark).
At this point, I suggest that you seek professional assistance either at a Toyota dealership or an independent who specializes in Toyota hybrids. It might be necessary to replace the brake power supply (you might be able to obtain a used unit at a salvage yard); or perhaps the car has another problem.
When you look at the OBD-II socket, you'll notice that it has a trapezoid shape, with one base wider than the other. The numbering starts with 1 at the far right of the wide base and ends up at 8 at the far left of the wide base. Then the numbering continues with 9 on the far right of the narrow base and goes to 16 at the far left of the narrow base. Once you have the jumper installed between pins 4 and 13 and the Prius is READY, see what two digit blink code comes back from each of the three brake warning lights: ((!)), ABS, and VSC. If you can retrieve the code maybe we can suggest what is wrong.
There is a qualified, independent repair facility in southern CA. see: Avi's Advanced Auto Homepage. Avi can help you.
