Transmission worries

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by TrishM, Sep 3, 2025 at 1:37 PM.

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  1. TrishM

    TrishM New Member

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    I am the second owner of an 09 Prius. It has 123k miles on it. Today I accidentally drove it for several minutes while it was in Park (I think I must have accidentally hit that button while driving.) It is not making any unusual noise nor are there any warning lights. How much did I potentially damage the transmission and what should I do proactively for repairs?
     
    #1 TrishM, Sep 3, 2025 at 1:37 PM
  2. Brian1954

    Brian1954 Senior Member

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    I do not think that you caused any harm to the transmission. @ChapmanF will be able to answer.
     
    #2 Brian1954, Sep 3, 2025 at 5:40 PM
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  3. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

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    Can't drive and Park maybein zB mode . You've hurt nothing. It's all pretty stout in there.
     
    #3 Tombukt2, Sep 3, 2025 at 6:04 PM
  4. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    Can you give details of what made you think it was in Park?

    The car evidently didn't think it was in Park, because if it had, it wouldn't have gone anywhere.

    So, something else is what was happening. But I can't really speculate on whether the something else did or didn't do any damage, without a better idea what the something else was.
     
    #4 ChapmanF, Sep 3, 2025 at 7:49 PM
  5. TrishM

    TrishM New Member

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    I was driving and noticed a lack of power, and that made me look at the dashboard. The P was highlighted. I quickly shifted into drive and the power issues vanished. I assumed I had accidentally hit the Park button while driving, but I was tired so I really have no clue.
    There has been no weird noise and no warning lights on the dash. I made an appointment to get it checked out next week just to be safe.
    Y'all have been giving me some peace of mind so I appreciate your comments.
     
    #5 TrishM, Sep 3, 2025 at 8:55 PM
  6. hurricos

    hurricos Junior Member

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    #6 hurricos, Sep 3, 2025 at 10:50 PM
  7. T1 Terry

    T1 Terry Active Member

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    If the vehicle senses it is moving through the wheel speed sensors, the Park pawl will not engage .... if it did, the sudden stop when the park pawl engage would probably snap a driveshaft or CV joint .... I've exploded one of those on the Taxi Prius trying to get out of way of oncoming traffic, it hit the bitumen and bang clunk clunk clunk as the balls fell out, and no drive anywhere :eek: Flat tow to the workshop so I could replace the driveshaft :rolleyes:

    T1 Terry
     
    #7 T1 Terry, Sep 3, 2025 at 10:57 PM
  8. dolj

    dolj Senior Member

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    Surely you just use the joystick to select either D or N (has to be held at N for some 2-3 seconds) in such circumstances. It wouldn't be good practice to hit the P button while going at any speed, regardless of the in-built protections of doing so, which might allow it.
     
    #8 dolj, Sep 4, 2025 at 12:42 AM
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