Prius Hatch Latch Duct Tape Soda Straw attached

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by varcalli, Feb 15, 2012.

  1. varcalli

    varcalli Junior Member

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    The hatch would not latch closed. I manually closed it and released it with the button and it seemed that the release was sufficient to open the hatch, but not enough ??? for the latch to recatch when the hatch was closed. I put some WD40 on it and worked it several times and now it latches. But, I did notice a short straw attached to the side of the latch? What's that for? [​IMG]
    Here is a link to the photo:
    https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/-YJ4AWDGnqgcSXsLSyW8S9SgLUwB9TnOwMLLTs-TX50?feat=directlink
    Tom
     
    #1 varcalli, Feb 15, 2012
  2. Launch Vehicle

    Launch Vehicle Junior Member

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    Does it have "Dixie" written on it?:D
     
    #2 Launch Vehicle, Feb 15, 2012
  3. spiderman

    spiderman wretched

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    You must have a pet? That will interfere with the latch operations in a hurry. Try to keep it clean as possible.

    Have no idea what the straw is...
     
    #3 spiderman, Feb 16, 2012
  4. fulltank

    fulltank New Member

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    Did you spray WD-40 in there or nice person-sauce?
     
    #4 fulltank, Feb 17, 2012
    car78412 likes this.
  5. serlegar

    serlegar New Member

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    You are not crazy, I had the same problem and also noticed the small straw. I have no idea why it is there ...
     
    #5 serlegar, Sep 1, 2012
  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    looks like a drain?
     
    #6 bisco, Sep 1, 2012
  7. Dakine50

    Dakine50 Member

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    Without looking at my car I think Bisco may be correct. I'm guessing it might be a drain tube for any water collecting at the hinged portion of the hatch. Maybe the hinged area had to be designed (for structural reasons?) with a depression in it and in order to get rid of any standing water a drain hole had to be created....
     
    #7 Dakine50, Sep 1, 2012
  8. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i would have said 'diy' until someone mentioned they had the same thing. looks pretty shabby.
     
    #8 bisco, Sep 1, 2012
  9. RRxing

    RRxing Senior Member

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    Hmm, this has piqued my interest. I checked both the parts and service manuals and found nothing resembling the "soda straw." From vercalli's picture it does look like a piece of duct tape is holding it in place. I think I'll take a look at my car and see if it's there. If so, I'll try to determine what it's for. Bisco's drain tube looks like the best bet for now. I wonder where the OP went?
     
    #9 RRxing, Sep 1, 2012
  10. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i didn't realize serlegar had drug up a 2/16 post until you said that.:rolleyes: i doubt we'll be hearing from them. since we're here tho, it would be interesting if everyone looked at their tailgate.
     
    #10 bisco, Sep 1, 2012
  11. AZGeek

    AZGeek Semi-informed Member

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    Nothing like that from what I can remember seeing when I had the liftgate trim removed for the Valenti installations.
     
    #11 AZGeek, Sep 1, 2012
  12. rrg

    rrg Active Member

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    That straw and tape was not an option on my east coast 2011 prius II. I looked yesterday.
     
    #12 rrg, Sep 5, 2012
  13. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    odd that at least two people have it. i wonder if there was a bad batch?
     
    #13 bisco, Sep 5, 2012
  14. RRxing

    RRxing Senior Member

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    Did you buy your car from the OP? :p

    Didn't see the "straw" on my car...
     
    #14 RRxing, Sep 6, 2012
  15. serlegar

    serlegar New Member

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    #15 serlegar, Oct 6, 2012
  16. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    great job ser, that is the strangest thing i have ever seen!:confused:
     
    #16 bisco, Oct 6, 2012
  17. ckbc

    ckbc New Member

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    hey he's not crazy, I have a 2008 and it is all taped up, with no access so it can't be a drain, but it's there taped to the mechanism alright!
     
    #17 ckbc, Oct 16, 2012
  18. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    crazy!
     
    #18 bisco, Oct 16, 2012
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