Key Fob into Vent Underneath Driver's Seat

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Pastor Joe, Dec 21, 2014.

  1. Pastor Joe

    Pastor Joe New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 21, 2014
    1
    0
    0
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    This morning, I dropped my key fob under the driver's seat. Trying to help me by grabbing it, my wife knocked into the vents underneath the seat.

    Neither of us could reach it, but we didn't want to be late to church, so I used her key to drive.

    At church, I could get my fingers on it, but not well enough to pry it out.

    Once we got home, I couldn't even feel it in there anymore.

    Any advice on getting it out?
     
    #1 Pastor Joe, Dec 21, 2014
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    111,186
    50,614
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    welcome to priuschat! coat hanger or similar, bent into a hook at the end?
     
    #2 bisco, Dec 21, 2014
  3. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    57,977
    39,996
    80
    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    Hook up some sort of siphon hose to a vacuum, run it in the vent, see if it can grab it?

    Lee Valley Tools used to sell a kit with an assortment of tubes diameters and adapters, but I'm not seeing it right now. I have one, good for stuff like cleaning the dryer passages.
     
    #3 Mendel Leisk, Dec 21, 2014
  4. 69shovlhed

    69shovlhed Surly tree hugger

    Joined:
    May 13, 2012
    2,170
    751
    0
    Location:
    Delaware
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Premium
    coat hanger
     
    #4 69shovlhed, Dec 21, 2014
  5. GregP507

    GregP507 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 5, 2014
    3,002
    481
    0
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    You can sometimes find these things at dollar stores:
    Grabber-Pickup-Tool.jpg
    Any hardware store should have them.

    If you have an inspection camera, you could tape it to a pick-up tool.
     
    #5 GregP507, Dec 21, 2014
  6. The Electric Me

    The Electric Me Go Speed Go!

    Joined:
    May 22, 2009
    9,083
    5,800
    0
    Location:
    Undisclosed Location
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    OK.

    I would recommend using a divining rod or dowser to first locate the fob.
    If that doesn't work, dangling a pendulum over a drawn map of the area under the seats will reportedly reveal the location.

    Once the location of the fob has been determined you can then use almost any device to reach and retrieve the fob. Just something to catch on it.
     
    #6 The Electric Me, Dec 21, 2014
    ftl likes this.
  7. M in KC

    M in KC Active Member

    Joined:
    Jun 21, 2014
    358
    106
    0
    Location:
    KC, MO
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    telescopic magnet.
     
    #7 M in KC, Dec 22, 2014
  8. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    57,977
    39,996
    80
    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    Magnet might be bad.
     
    #8 Mendel Leisk, Dec 22, 2014
  9. GregP507

    GregP507 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 5, 2014
    3,002
    481
    0
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    I don't see how it could be bad, but it won't pick up a plastic fob.
     
    #9 GregP507, Dec 22, 2014
  10. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    57,977
    39,996
    80
    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    There's that. :ROFLMAO:
     
    #10 Mendel Leisk, Dec 22, 2014
  11. Eclipse1701d

    Eclipse1701d Prius Enthusiast

    Joined:
    May 12, 2011
    645
    224
    0
    Location:
    Nature coast, Florida
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Three Touring
    If a coat hanger doesn't work, a trained hamster could retrieve it!
     
    #11 Eclipse1701d, Dec 22, 2014
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)