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Mystery Mod from previous owner.

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Accessories & Modifications' started by darkdragon1976, May 24, 2009.

  1. darkdragon1976

    darkdragon1976 New Member

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    I'm new round here. Just got my 2007 Prius Pkg 6 Touring.

    I just received my new-to-me Prius yesterday. Everything is in working order as far as I can tell. There is this strange thing on the dash though and the dealer (Carmax) couldn't shed any light on it. My husband thought the great folks here at priuschat would be able to solve the mystery or at least help.

    I'm including a couple photos of the item. It is on the dash right by the window of the pasenger side. There is cord of some sort come out the back (front?) of the device (you can see it in the window reflection). It is only about an inch square and 3/4 inch tall for the upper portion, the base seems to be about 2" on each side.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    from outside
    [​IMG]
     
    #1 darkdragon1976, May 24, 2009
  2. TonyPSchaefer

    TonyPSchaefer Your Friendly Moderator
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    Please post a picture as seen through the windshield.

    I'm at a loss as to what it can be.
     
    #2 TonyPSchaefer, May 24, 2009
  3. darkdragon1976

    darkdragon1976 New Member

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    Just did, probably as you were typing that.
     
    #3 darkdragon1976, May 24, 2009
  4. TonyPSchaefer

    TonyPSchaefer Your Friendly Moderator
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    Yeah. Thanks.

    Didn't help me, though. I'm hoping someone else has a clue.
     
    #4 TonyPSchaefer, May 24, 2009
  5. brick

    brick Active Member

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    That's an XM antenna. I have one just like it stuck to my roof! (Because I put it there.)
     
    #5 brick, May 24, 2009
    1 person likes this.
  6. DianneWhitmire

    DianneWhitmire High PRIUStess

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    That's for your XM audio -- so your car has XM.
     
    #6 DianneWhitmire, May 24, 2009
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  7. darkdragon1976

    darkdragon1976 New Member

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    Oh cool. Thanks guys!
     
    #7 darkdragon1976, May 24, 2009
  8. exbauer

    exbauer Active Member

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    i think they changed over to putting the antenna on the inside of the car. but, yes you do have XM.
     
    #8 exbauer, May 25, 2009
  9. usbseawolf2000

    usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD

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    Could be the GPS antenna to connect to a PC.
     
    #9 usbseawolf2000, May 25, 2009
  10. Shin Chan

    Shin Chan Junior Member

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    That is an XM-Radio antenna sitting on top of a waffer thin slice of metal that has double sided tape to fix it to your dash. If you push the SAT/AM on your radio you should get XM-radio (unless the subscription has ended or never was activated).

    My parents have their XM antenna mounted like you do, while I have mine near the FM/AM antenna. The antenna mounted on the dash means no one can screw with it, but I feel the reception is a little more finiky compared to the rear mount.

    If you find that the XM subscription has ended or never was activated, and you want to activate it you need the XM radio ID#.

    Go to the link below and follow the instructions

    Enter the 8-digit XM Radio ID exactly as it appears on the back of the XM Radio or tune your radio to Channel 0.

    https://xmro-secure.xmradio.com/listenercare/login2.xm
     
    #10 Shin Chan, May 25, 2009
  11. thomatt12

    thomatt12 New Member

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    I have a question though. If it is a radio antenna then why is it installed inside the car and on the dashboard?

    __________________
    Mazda Accessories
     
    #11 thomatt12, May 25, 2009
  12. DianneWhitmire

    DianneWhitmire High PRIUStess

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    Because it's what takes the signal from XM or Sirius.
    It's valuable. If stolen, it would cost hundreds to replace -- that's why it's there on the dash. Inside, there it can be locked up!

     
    #12 DianneWhitmire, May 26, 2009
  13. brick

    brick Active Member

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    Hundreds of dollars?!? You could probably get a new antenna for $10 on ebay, $20 or so new at the retailer. Heck, the entire XM radio that I'm currently using only cost $50. Getting the integrated system could conceivably cost a couple hundred but that's about the most expensive option that an average reasonable person (if there is such an animal) would consider. And it still uses an inexpensive antenna like the one pictured.
     
    #13 brick, May 26, 2009
  14. PriusLewis

    PriusLewis Management Scientist

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    #14 PriusLewis, May 27, 2009
  15. gdbelden

    gdbelden Gator Hator

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    #15 gdbelden, May 27, 2009
  16. HybridHewitt

    HybridHewitt New Member

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    Mine looks like that and I bought my right off the truck so might have been that way from the factory like mine was.
     
    #16 HybridHewitt, May 27, 2009
  17. hill

    hill High Fiber Member

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    #17 hill, May 27, 2009
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