as someone who does electronics as a hobby and knowing all the downsides to working on electric cars and the damage lightning can do to electronics I thought that it would never run again, that is so awesome that you got it working!
At my grandma's house turns out the fan and light shroud over the stove top had at one point got struck by lightning and mostly all it did was screw with some minor electronics but if you left the fan in the shroud on too long it would overheat
Okay, can we just appreciate how lovely your friends are? This man did everything for less the cost on his own despite very little info. That’s awesome. Now he knows his vehicle better than most.
Amazing. I would not have thought a car struck by lightening would ever run again but you just can't underestimate the courage and determination of a guy who chases tornados just for fun. As a former Police Officer, US Army Soldier and Firefighter, you can come and hang out with me anytime. You sir are crazy courageous! Well done!
@@BRUH2004FTW eh, that depends a gas vehicle still needs electricity for certain parts of the car such as, starting the engine in the first place, or the ability for your car to self-monitor everything. The engine might continue to run for a little bit after being struck but it could blow everything like multiple fuses, relays, alternator, ruin the battery, etc. for instance, my car has an issue where the car radio will not turn off the speakers which overtime drains the battery (Had to replace the battery 2 times, ouch) so as a temporary solution I cut power from the battery until I can figure out how to fix it.
Now that you've completely educated yourself to the Prius platform (for the most part), you should stay with that platform. In fact, keep your eye open for deals on Prius hardware; engine, transmission, etc. Buy these and commit them (properly) to storage. Now that you know how to repair it and how much it costs to repair at the dealer, you might just pick up some good pieces at scrapyard prices. As someone who grew up having to do it myself, BRAVO! You did good kiddo...
That’s why I run 3 in business and one for my personal use.with some spares- one used as a mobile generator. The mileage write off is money in the bank.
I was the tech "who took pity on you". I was also the technician who did the diagnosis. Initially the ECM CAN BUS driver was shorted, so we had to replace the ECM to get communication with the network to know what all could be wrong. Then we had those 3 other ECUs that failed. We don't recommend installing used ECUs when performing diagnosis because often they come with their own problems. Without having any way to know for sure what else could be wrong with it, I didn't want to stick you with a bill that was close to the value of the car. I'm very happy you were able to end up fixing it! Good job!
The brake light still being on and regen not working could be related. Could also mean the module on your ABS pump is a goner as well. Some vehicles you can swap modules, but some you gotta replace the entire ABS pump.
The amount of determination to find out the problem blows my mind 🤯. I don't know how you do it. I can see why mechanics charge so much more now. It really is amazing to see how determined and smart some people can be with certain things. I still have much to learn (yes, that's a Star Wars reference 😆)
Well done I like to solve problems like these myself . When it first restarted I bet you got a real buzz from it . Keep doing things like this and you diagnostic skills will grow . Good luck with the rest of the build.
Kudos on getting the car running again!!!! That is something else, I enjoy your videos and wish you the best!!!! Hope you can storm chase in the car later on, and if not then next year =)
man next time you have a issue with your prius hit me up! i can totally help out! my hobby is actually fixing up gen 2s and donating them or selling them. ive got three in my yard right now. all silver too! lol
MorePi, the stormchaser who revived his 2nd generation Prius back to life. You did good Pi, I hope your XW20 can live on for a long time and let you chase storms to your hearts content.
Fair play, you've done some pretty involved work on that thing and yeah, shows what you can do if you're willing to put the time in. Though I also have to point out the typo for 'mechanic', you call him a "machanic" at 19:49! Ha, but good job. I still think you're crazy chasing storms in a Prius, but crazy in a good way.
Congrats on bring the Prius back! I drive a Prius as well, they’re really finicky cars. I don’t know if I would have had the perseverance to save it after a lightning strike, but you made it work! I hope it lasts for a while longer!
@@leontechtalks The second and later generation Prius has essentially the same 0-60 time as the US ("federal") version of the Delorean DMC-12: 10 seconds.
The problem with insurance companies, mechanics, and so on, is that they compare the fix to the resale value of the car. My Prius C got 'totalled' back in 2020. "It's not worth it to fix the vehicle." I fixed the vehicle for ~$2,000. It has EARNED itself back ~$30,000 in work. About the value of a new one back in 15 when I got it new. I replaced the hybrid battery in spring, and I just did the brakes (had plenty of pad left), spark plugs, it has new tires, and I'm about to embark on the replacement of the head gasket. (Been accumulating tools for the job, and just using a 'band-aid' fix for the time being.) I don't care what these people say, it may not be RESALE value, but every year I keep this car and don't buy a brand new one, it proves its value to ME.
@@sandtanmaroon Because it's 'already' at 232,000 miles. Everyone keeps going: 'You managed to get it to go that far without [Battery/Head-gasket'] replacement?! I go: "Yes, because it's a well made vehicle. But soft components start to fail after enough wear." I'm actually sitting here going through the maintenance book (8,348 pages) looking for where I need to set the timing marks on the cam shaft before I dismantle the timing chain cover. I'll tell you what. It's not horribly complex, it's just that quick release tabs AREN'T, and hoses do NOT like to be removed after seven years.
@@sandtanmaroon It's getting there. Slowly. I'm working at night with work lights in the driveway. Too hot during the day. (Texas, Summer, 100+ degrees. I don't like broiling.)
Thats fantastic that you got it running again ❤ love the videos and wishing you many more years of successful motoring and chasing -x- I remember chasing in my old Mercedes and always wondered what would happen if it got struck by lightning, my hubby and i thought if it got struck and died it would have had a fitting end to chasing storm all over the UK, however it went to car heaven after 14 years of amazing memories.
That was a great video pi !! I always love the way you tell stories and your editing style ! I was wondering what was your dslr ? Because it seems like it doesn’t look the same as in your older videos…
You need to name your car "Lighting Rod" most would think it's electric haha lightning and Rod as in Hot Rod which both is a nice play on words .The fact it was hit by lightning now that's on a whole different level. Cool story glad you have it running again.
My dream car is also a Prius since it's sorta cheap or a Vios like my uncle. Congrats on putting your car back btw! From the odds of you getting struck by lightning, you earned but lives THANKFULLY
Nice work bring her back online! I went through the same thing on a 08 Prius I purchased from copart lighting strike as well! Had to replace all 3 ECM and immobilizer from a donor car and she fired rite up she still running strong! thanks Nate
😂 love this video! I live in a town we're I am the only one with a Prius. I have to help the local mechanic fix my car.. watch out.. I am now the only one on solar. Once you start. It's hard to stop. 😂
Wow this was really interesting. And you have given me faith that I might be able to actually repair my own modern car. Seriously that was major surgery. By the way is that a the track of a solar eclipse on your t- shirt!!!
I wish you luck. When I worked as an avionics tech I was tasked to check out the avionics in a bizjet that was struck by lightning when tied down at an airport. The lightning hit the tail light and exited out the tiedown chains, blasting out the concrete they were mounted in. Everything I could check in the hangar worked; the ADF and radar turned out to be dead. Over the next six months every piece of electronics in the plane died. Over the years I have learned that is common. My second career was in IT/communications for a Fortune 100 electric company. I became the lightning hardening guru and the guy who handled our lightning strikes in northern Arizona. The toughest one I had was a $300,000 DACS in a mountaintop comm shelter; when the emergency was over 14 dead cards sat on the floor. The strike didn't even go through the equipment; the damage was from an inter-rack signal cable that was close to the floor, just above and parallel to what turned out to be the AC power conduit to the site. Once repaired it continued to work until it was obsoleted out a couple years later. I think the difference is that it didn't take a direct hit.
Congratulations on getting your Prius fixed that's something that I wouldn't even attempt I've been working on cars since I was four years old I don't like electrical issues and that's all your car was
Haha, thanks. I should be able to when I begin posting the rest of my 2022 videos. Oh I have some footage of me installing a lift kit from 2021 that I'll be sure to show too!
@@MorePi oooh looking forward to that! This was the channel that made me interested in storm related content ever since the video of the strike was in my recommended once :D
Wow congrats that is so cool you were able to repair such a crazy issue on your car 1. Without being a mechanic and 2. Just using the internet. So impressive 😎 Forums and Facebook groups have saved me so many times lol my gf’s Prius has such goofy little quirks like at random it won’t physically turn off and the dash cluster won’t light up, so forums told me to like turn lights on and off 3 times, foot off the brake, keep the door open, hold power button for x seconds whatever, black magic type stuff it’s just so weird and how did anyone even figure out that solution lol!
Surprising u got it working again! A friends car got stuck and needless too say it fried the cars computer and a few other devices in the car… it’s at a junkyard now. She Had too buy another car after all that happened
You taught me something about my prius! My headlights have been shit for several years now. I never knew they were auto leveling. there's a sensor that gets water in it by the rear axle. it can be repaired with some vinegar, some ball point pen springs, and some dielectric grease. I'm going to work on that tomorrow. Hopefully I can see more than 30 feet in front of me at night now!
I had a 2004 Prius that I bought used at a 130k miles for my courier business, I replaced it at close to 400k miles and my nephew has been driving it for the past few years. The Prius, in my opinion is a tank.
My wife and I have had nothing but Prius since 2002. When people don't run into them - the last one was totaled while parked - they are spectacularly reliable.
Dude, pretty sure you are Dr. Frankenstein bringing that poor, defeated Prius back to life. Instead of letting it go softly into that good night, you resurrected it to parade around here for us on the RU-vid. The only thing that would be worse would be making the Prius put on a top hat, and make tap dance to "Putting on the Ritz." It reminds one of the quote: "Does God remain in heaven because he, too, fears what he created?" If so, you are what He fears, good sir! 🤣🤣🤣
The orange fuse for the hybrid battery wasn’t pressed down once the handle is lifted up and it looks like it’s all the way in, it’s not, press down on it so it’s entirely engaged.
I'm sure this has been asked and answered dozens of times, but here's another question. What drone do you use for storm chasing? I saw in one of your 2020 videos that it had a landing option where you select a pinpoint and it guides it's self to land there? Thanks in advance!
Honestly I'm happy to get some more pi....also I work in the auto industry and it's crooked as heck. A new water pump on my car cost me $50 to do by myself at home, any shop would be over $1,000 due to where it is. The most important thing that my grandpa told me is if u can't fix it yourself, u don't need it. That's how I grew up and I still think it's the way to go
Great job! Given your familiarity with cables, why don't you design a harness that extends all the connectors for the ECUs and puts the ECUs all in one place. You may have to sacrifice some space in the baggage area but it'd make swapping them out a breeze.
Been driving a Prius for a little over a year and when it just randomly beeps about something with little to no indication of what... If I open the door and THEN turn off the engine? It beeps at me for some unknown reason. I've at least figured most of the other ones out.
I left the door slightly open and gave all the warning lights when I started to drive. It could be a problem with a computer that can't detect the door switches and the seat belt switch.
Awesome job pushing through and getting the prius to ride again. Maybe you should name her phoenix since it rose from the ashes of the lightning strike lol. I know i always try to do stuff myself since i am a jack of all trades and a master of none lol.
Jack of all trades, master of none, but still better than a master of one. Alternatively, it could be named Lazarus since the car was dead and he brought it back to life.
It wasn't too hard, I did diagnose that next step that he performed. I just couldn't recommend several thousand without having a way to know that it would be fixed after that. I'm very happy he was able to fix it.
You can also use can bud check. Will show live communication. And you didn’t latch your interlock relay all the way down 😭 and ahhhh i just watched later in the video about the service plug glad it was an easy fix
One more good reason to not drive a gasoline car that has 9001 Eletronic modules if you risk a lightning strike all the time. Tbh there should only be 3 at best. Engine, Transmission & Air bag modules. Everything else beside the radio itself can be controlled without any fancy costly modules.
