Prius "P Lock Malfunction" When Parking - What's Wrong?

When it comes to automobiles, a wide range of distinct systems has been developed and put into place to guarantee that the cars operate faultlessly and without any complications. But some error messages can cause troubles decoding them.

P lock malfunction message highlights

• Common reasons:12V battery issues, transmission control unit
• How to fix:check the battery, replace the TCU if needed
• Possible consequences:P lock may not engage when in Park
• Priority level:High
• Can you drive?Yes
• DIY repair:Impossible (if it's not the battery)
• Repair price range:$150-$1,200

Brief history of the Toyota Prius

The Toyota Prius is a reasonably well-known car, and many people are interested in purchasing one. It can go a considerable distance without breaking the bank and comes with many functions.

People looking for a compact automobile with excellent gas mileage and maneuverability around town should consider purchasing a Prius.

The Toyota Prius utilizes a hybrid powertrain, an electric motor, and an internal combustion engine. It was first sold as a sedan with four doors; however, since 2003, it has been manufactured as a liftback with five doors. Only recently Toyota presented some other types of body.

Furthermore, the Prius was the first hybrid car to be mass-produced and the first vehicle of its kind to go on sale in Japan in 1997. It was offered at all four of Toyota's dealership networks in Japan. After then, in the year 2000, it was made available everywhere.

There are over 90 different markets in which Toyota sells the Prius, with Japan and the United States being the most prominent considerations. 

In addition, the Toyota Prius is a small car that has been on the market for a long time and uses little gas. Because of its low environmental impact and high fuel economy, it is an attractive choice for consumers interested in lowering the amount they spend each month on their energy bills.

How reliable is the Toyota Prius

The Toyota Prius is a popular vehicle that has been on the market for a considerable time. Because of its capacity to maintain a high degree of fuel economy while still being dependable, it has gained much popularity.

However, not all consumers who purchase a Prius are satisfied with the vehicle's reliability. There have been several complaints of issues with the Prius, including electrical malfunctions, such as the P lock malfunction.

Most of these problems are related to faulty components and inadequate quality control during production.

On the other hand, the Prius has a reputation for unreliability, but how can we know whether this is the case? People believe the Prius is unreliable for several reasons, including the following:

• Electrical Issues - Consumer Reports estimate that the Prius has an average lifespan of around 250,000 miles. That seems like a reasonably solid plan. However, if the Prius is not handled appropriately, it is said to have a high risk of developing numerous difficulties.
• Other Issues - Unfortunately, in addition to the already mentioned issues, the Prius also has several other common problems. These include malfunctioning brakes, excessive oil consumption, interior accessory issues, Incorrect fuel gauge reading, issues with the steering wheel, and a malfunction with the P lock, which will be covered in the following paragraphs of this article.

In addition, the reliability rating for the Toyota Prius is 4.0 out of 5.0, ranking it 10th out of 24 in the category of midsize automobiles. Because the typical yearly maintenance cost is $408, this vehicle offers very reasonable ownership expenses.

However, a Toyota Prius owner may expect to get 200,000 and 250,000 miles out of their vehicle if they do routine maintenance. Some Prius owners have surpassed the 300,000-mile mark and are still going strong in their vehicles.

Then, can we rely on the Prius? Is it truly as unreliable as you say it is? After all, it does seem to be an excellent plan. However, the Prius has a few flaws that must be addressed.

What can cause Prius "P Lock Malfunction"

Our cars are often put in Park multiple times during the day. Over prolonged time frames, we do not give it much thought when we put our vehicles in Park, switch off the engine, remove our seat belts, and open the door.

However, a few problems might cause the Prius to stick in the park gear and prevent us from moving the car. Until you discover how to unlock your vehicle, you will be much stuck wherever you park it.

In the following paragraphs, we will talk about the factors that contributed to this problem; stay with us to find out more.

• Drained battery

One of the most typical causes of this problem is when you mistakenly drain your Toyota Prius battery.

However, it's possible that you forgot to turn off the lights overnight. Perhaps the driver's side door was left open for an excessive amount of time.

For whatever reason, you will need to find out how to recharge the battery just enough so that you can drive your Prius and the car's internal processes can replenish the battery. This may be done in a variety of ways.

Nevertheless, in the meantime, you should look for someone who can assist you in jump-starting your Toyota Prius. Simply because your battery is dead does not always indicate that it is defective or needs to be replaced.

• Faulty 12-volt start or auxiliary battery

The auxiliary battery, often known as a 12-volt battery, is the primary battery component that ensures the engine starts correctly and that all components of the engine's starter have electricity.

However, a skilled technician can check the starter or auxiliary batteries and verify that everything is functioning correctly. 

Whether you have the appropriate equipment, testing to see if there is a problem with the primary starter is straightforward.

• Damaged fuse

The Prius's parking system, inverter, and converter are each controlled by a fuse located in the box that houses the fuses. 

If this fuse blows, the parking lock will need to be reset, and the fuse will need to be replaced either by you or a professional.

It is often unclear what causes this fuse to blow, but replacing it is not too difficult. In most cases, the price of a package of fuses will not exceed $30.

In addition to this, you won't have to take it to a repair shop. However, changing the fuse is simply a stopgap measure. If you do not determine why the fuse blew in the first place, it will do it again.

How to fix a Prius P Lock Malfunction

The Prius P is one of the most dependable models on the market and a famous automobile. However, there are occasions where the P lock malfunction occurs. This section will detail the methods necessary to repair a malfunctioning Prius P lock.

• The repair for the brake pedal pump

To begin, you should attempt to start your car. It's possible that it won't turn on until the engine revives. But check that the lights on the dashboard are on.

After then, you must apply consistent, heavy pressure on the brake pedal. Now, please switch the ignition on once again. If everything goes according to plan, the Prius will come on ultimately, and you should also hear the sound of the engine starting up.

If this does not work, turn the car off entirely, wait a minute or two, and then try again. If this does not work, turn the vehicle off altogether.

• Disconnect the battery in the car

When the P lock malfunction warning light comes on, you can remove the battery from the device if you are at home. The following is what you need to perform.

Your first step is to open the hood of your Prius, and then you should shut off your car. Put on a pair of bulky gloves.

At this point, remove the primary cable connected to the battery. You may refer to the owner's handbook if you do not have a visual representation of the cable in your head. Additionally, go online for visual instructions showing you how to remove the battery from a Prius.

After disconnecting the battery from your Prius, wait a few minutes.

After that, you should reattach the cord to the battery. Check to verify that it is in the same place initially. Now, please start your car once again.

As the engine heats up and the battery charges, you can see a few different warning lights. However, the malfunction notice for the P lock should not be shown.

The p lock will continue to activate at inconvenient times until you figure out how to remedy the problem, please if this didn't work out, kindly contact your technician for further assistance.

Conclusion

Many individuals take pleasure in driving the Toyota Prius since it is a reliable vehicle. But before you go out and buy a Prius or start driving one, there are a few things you need to think about. One of these considerations is how dependable the automobile is in terms of needing maintenance.

The P lock on a Prius will activate in response to a drained battery, malfunctioning battery, or an utterly burned-out fuse. We discovered in this article that there are methods to solve the p lock momentarily and unlock it so that you may drive home.

In conclusion, it is strongly suggested that you get in touch with the manufacturer of your vehicle or technician to enquire about remedial steps that may be put into place to reduce the likelihood of a problem of this kind occurring again.