This morning as soon as I started the car, the speedometer dash turned completely scrambled and the rest of the lights keep blinking/flashing. The car does turn on and drive. Upon drive the Maint Reqd and Low temp icons keep flashing. I think I smell something burning as well but I not sure. I have seen threads describe the dead dash but cannot find one with similar problem. In the video below you can see the scrambling. Ocassionally it will just turn off. I tried the battery disconnect but did not help. I definitely think something is burning around dash but cannot be sure.
how old is the 12 volt? how many miles on her? of course, if something is burning, i guess you need to find out what. it might be worth checking for codes.
Check "Combination Display problem" threads - there have been many of late! Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
I checked the threads but none describe scramble or burnt smell. I too think that is it but scramble is weird and the intermittent flashing of Maint req and low temp is also throwing me off. In terms of age, the 12 volt may be old but I checked voltage from MFD and it was 12.4 at rest and 12 at ACC
I Know it has worked great so far except for needing the 3-way coolant controller change last year. No codes thrown at all. Unfortunately, it is 2005 Prius and beyond the 9-year extended warranty time.
You are right, your car's problem is unique. The combination meter ECU probably needs to be replaced, but the nature of the fault is different from the fault that resulted in the extended warranty program.
That's what I trying to figure out before sending it for repair as some other suggested. The other odd feature is the blinking freezing temp light or even headlights if I turn it on
An update on the situation. It turns out that the instrument combo meter did burn out. I have attached a couple of pics of the burnt out sites. It is square chip on the left of the front image and a another small area if you look closely at the back. I have ordered a replacement meter from ebay with close enough speedometer reading. I am hoping it was just the meter and not something else that caused it to burn out.
