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Mystery sensor

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by The Mighty Mutt, Aug 10, 2024.

  1. The Mighty Mutt

    The Mighty Mutt Junior Member

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    While reattaching the front splash guard, we found this sensor hanging down. There are only 2 wires going to it and no moving parts, so I'm thinking it's a magnetic sensor for something. We tried placing steel objects and magnets on it and taking them away while the car is running and it didn't trigger any warning lights. For mounting, it just seems to clip onto the edge of something. Any ideas on what it is and/or where it clips to?
     

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    #1 The Mighty Mutt, Aug 10, 2024
  2. AzusaPrius

    AzusaPrius Senior Member

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    Outside temperature sensor, goes at the bottom of the bumper in front of the radiator.
     
    #2 AzusaPrius, Aug 11, 2024
    Mendel Leisk, The Mighty Mutt and PriusCamper like this.
  3. The Mighty Mutt

    The Mighty Mutt Junior Member

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    Oooooh! Thank you!
     
    #3 The Mighty Mutt, Aug 11, 2024
  4. AzWxGuy

    AzWxGuy Weather Guy

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    If we are talking a Gen III Prius, there will be a similar sensor located on the 12V battery positive terminal block under the trunk cover near the spare tire in the right-rear corner of the car. Another mystery, your avatar says Gen I Prius and you are posting in the Gen III Prius section. Working on someone else's Gen III, or your car is a 2012 (typo)?
     
    #4 AzWxGuy, Aug 11, 2024
  5. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

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    There's a square hole in the center core support that goes from the top upper core support to the bottom there's a square hole down there at the bottom that this piece pushes into keeping the sensor facing forward into the wind as the car is being pushed forward
     
    #5 Tombukt2, Aug 11, 2024
    The Mighty Mutt likes this.
  6. The Mighty Mutt

    The Mighty Mutt Junior Member

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    AzWxGuy, Correct! I own a 2002 and I'm currently helping my dad with their 2014. Some time ago, a fella changed lanes into the front fender, breaking the mount on the bumper. It's a constant struggle trying to keep that thing attached and replacing it just isn't in the budget
     
    #6 The Mighty Mutt, Aug 11, 2024
    Tombukt2 likes this.
  7. AzusaPrius

    AzusaPrius Senior Member

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    This is where it goes. 20240811_104502.jpeg
     
    #7 AzusaPrius, Aug 11, 2024
  8. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

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    You're out in Arizona You should be able to walk up to any generation 3 sitting in a junkyard and unplug this or clip it with the wires I have two or three of them sitting here laying in a bucket and they almost never get used until somebody wrecks the front end and get snatched off and all of that but usually people don't fix these front end racks these kind of send the car away generally.
     
    #8 Tombukt2, Aug 12, 2024
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