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Two easy Qs on a Prius v 5

Discussion in 'Prius v Main Forum' started by mistertudball, Apr 8, 2015.

  1. mistertudball

    mistertudball New Member

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    We've had our Prius v 5 for a couple weeks now and I've read the War and Peace that is the stack of owner's manuals but so far can't find the answers to two little things. First, when I open the unlocked driver's door with the fob in my pocket, there is a whirring-buzz-like noise that comes from the engine bay area. What is that? And what are the two vertical rectangular lenses in the front that look like they could be fog lights? The fog lights are round and inboard of these, I'm not sure what these other lights are for and no switch turns them on. They're shown on the schematic of the front end, but no arrow goes to them.
     
    #1 mistertudball, Apr 8, 2015
  2. PLSPUSH

    PLSPUSH Active Member

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    the whirring noise comes and goes at odd times, what it is? don't know! someone will,
     
    #2 PLSPUSH, Apr 8, 2015
  3. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    The whirring buzz is the brake actuator sound. It's normal. The rectangular things should be headlight washers that come out and spray water on your lights.
     
    #3 JC91006, Apr 8, 2015
  4. Air_Boss

    Air_Boss Senior Member

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    Start-up whir is the ABS system pressurizing.

    The prism-shaped front lenses house turn signals. There is a void in the bottom of the lens that could conceivably be drilled and fitted with LED lamps for DRL use like the really spendy UK units, but for us, that's pure DIY.
     
    #4 Air_Boss, Apr 8, 2015
  5. mistertudball

    mistertudball New Member

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    I'm not explaining things very well, so I took a picture with an arrow pointing to what looks like an LED light strip lens. Turn signals are above that in the LED housing. This car has headlight washers? Not mentioned in the book. Cool if it does! Priusv.jpg
     
    #5 mistertudball, Apr 8, 2015
  6. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    oops. no headlight washers on the v
     
    #6 JC91006, Apr 8, 2015
  7. Air_Boss

    Air_Boss Senior Member

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    Aha, the '15 lens is different, but I'll bet it is another case of "LED DRL delete", what in other markets is the LED DRL.
     
    #7 Air_Boss, Apr 8, 2015
  8. Kraze8

    Kraze8 New Member

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    those are LED daytime running lights.
     
    #8 Kraze8, Apr 8, 2015
  9. mistertudball

    mistertudball New Member

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    If they're DRLs they sure don't do it. I'm gathering from posts here that DRLs are a sometimes-yes, sometimes-no thing with Toyota in this country. Not a big prob for me, but if they're supposed to be working, I should add that to the list of stuff that the service department needs to look at at the 5K service.
     
    #9 mistertudball, Apr 8, 2015
  10. Kraze8

    Kraze8 New Member

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    on my 2014, it's controlled by the light stalk. There is a click for DRL On. To initiate turn the knob to that selection then you must take the parking brake off. While the Prius is in Ready mode, the DRLs should be on.

    I'm not sure if the 2015s have changed, but that's how it is for my 2014. go have a look at the light stalk for the DRL option. or if you have the Auto on/off option, click it to that setting and give it a go.

    check page 187-190 on your owners manual ;)

    http://www.toyota.com/t3Portal/document/om-s/OM47887U/pdf/OM47887U.pdf


    check back in and let us know if that's it.
     
    #10 Kraze8, Apr 8, 2015
    Last edited: Apr 9, 2015
  11. mistertudball

    mistertudball New Member

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    My v has the Type B switch with DRL/Off, Auto, parking, and headlight settings. I just tried every permutation I can think of including starting the car, putting it in drive, parking brake off, and in every setting on the switch and nothing illuminates those lenses. So I'm guessing Toyota eliminated DRLs in that location, although there is an eyebrow LED that runs along the top of the main headlight cluster.
     
    #11 mistertudball, Apr 9, 2015
  12. Kraze8

    Kraze8 New Member

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    strange why Toyota would spend the extra money to install something that doesn't light up. if you compare the trim levels Two vs the rest, the Two doesn't have that light in the bumper. It's gotta do something. maybe it's a parking light or comes on with the foglights?
    I'm tempted to stop by the dealer to check it out. can you take a closer picture of the lens? Does it look like there are LEDs in there? or a regular halogen bulb inside?

    BTW.. I first read your Screenname as Mr. Turdball. hahaha
     
    #12 Kraze8, Apr 9, 2015
    PLSPUSH likes this.
  13. sean v4

    sean v4 Junior Member

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    mistertudball,
    The picture with the arrow is indeed the DRL leds. In order for it to work.. the car must be outdoor in the daytime, your switch has to be in the auto position (on DRL). YOU MUST have the engine (ON) in read as if you were going to drive it. Then, leave your car in park, and go see the light should be on along with the headlight.

    Let me know otherwise. I have 2015 v4.
     
    #13 sean v4, Apr 9, 2015
    Kraze8 likes this.
  14. Kraze8

    Kraze8 New Member

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    ^ ah yes. my directions were under the assumption he was doing this outside during the day. the Light sensor on the dashboard comes into play for this one.
     
    #14 Kraze8, Apr 9, 2015
  15. mistertudball

    mistertudball New Member

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    You wouldn't be the FIRST person to "see" an R in Tudball, LOL. I've had the nickname forever, and the wife is Mrs. Whiggans from the old Carol Burnett Show.

    Well outdoors is the only thing I didn't try. If and when it ever quits raining, I'll try that.
     
    #15 mistertudball, Apr 9, 2015
    Last edited by a moderator: Apr 9, 2015
  16. rdgrimes

    rdgrimes Senior Member

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    It it holds to prior Toyota DRL routines, in addition to having the system running you'd also need to release the parking brake. They will stay on then till you shut the car off.
     
    #16 rdgrimes, Apr 9, 2015
  17. mistertudball

    mistertudball New Member

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    That was it! Quit raining long enough to back the car out, let the light sensor do its thing, and went up front to look and both LED DRLs were on. Funny I never noticed that when the wife backs out of the driveway, but maybe the sensor doesn't "notice" it's daylight until she's going down the street.
     
    #17 mistertudball, Apr 9, 2015
  18. sean v4

    sean v4 Junior Member

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    Glad to hear and letitng us know.
    That's nothing, I asked several longo toyota workers (sales, service, and technician) they all say reflectors. I just happen to discover by chance when I accidentally forgot to turn off the car and went inside the house. Hahaha
     
    #18 sean v4, Apr 9, 2015
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