Abs off, but brakes now giving tones intermittent

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by eye144, Dec 21, 2025.

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  1. eye144

    eye144 Junior Member

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    Abs system is proactively being ignored, as of 8 months ago. Car has been driven and brakes pass inspection 11/25.

    Brake alarm tone interintermittently comes on for short minute, and brakes are less responsive, as if power brakes are not being powered. Brakes work, but not as responsive as they should be. That is our main concern. It it a particular sensor, which?

    160k miles near Philadelphia pa

    Sometimes when started, and brakes are very hard to push, not braking correctly. Abs has been not working for over 6 months, but this is a new issue.

    What sensor is causing this and can it be replaced.


    Also, possibly not related, but for fyi. Also, when you get into car, the same tone starts. As well as when you exit car, the tone sounds
     
    #1 eye144, Dec 21, 2025
  2. eye144

    eye144 Junior Member

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    Anyone have any ideas that may help? we have been trying to get an appointment at a trusted machanic, but it is a busy time of year. i was hoping i could tell him something more than what i have so far.
     
    #2 eye144, Dec 22, 2025
  3. saneesh8

    saneesh8 Member

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    Seems like Brake actuator. Common issue. does it make noise every few seconds? As far as i know, no sensor, the whole unit has to be replaced.

    I did it on mine proactively. Not cheap. part it self is like ~$1300 from Toyota dealer. Used units, seems hit and miss.
     
    #3 saneesh8, Dec 23, 2025
  4. Brian1954

    Brian1954 Senior Member

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    You need to use a scanner to read the trouble codes.
     
    #4 Brian1954, Dec 23, 2025
  5. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    I'm not sure exactly what you mean by that, can you elaborate?

    The car doesn't have an ABS system that is somehow separate from the brakes. It's all one system.

    Given the alarm sound, when you read the trouble codes, I expect they will include codes about being unable to pump up and hold the proper brake operating pressure. That's why the brakes are harder to operate at those times.

    If you do not have a scan tool to read the trouble codes, you can do it this way:

    Blink (a/k/a Flash) Codes – How to. | PriusChat

    In a gen 2, if the trouble codes are as I expect, replacing the brake actuator will typically solve the problem.
     
    #5 ChapmanF, Dec 23, 2025
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