Why does one of the ECU connectors not have a wire cover?

I imported a bunch of the newer "REMOVABLE" type about a year. ago. It took about a month to get my first one from Japan. It was the earlier JDM "non-removable type. The ones that I imported have the removal tabs. I have a few left, but I can't sell them here.

Be sure that you get the ones with the REMOVAL tabs.

 

Just FYI, Mike's "removable" ECU connector covers are the real deal...

 

Those covers are used in Japan's domestic market IIRC, and I cannot understand why they are not standard issue here.

 

Any pictures of those covers?

 

Here's a few photos.

Just make sure you get the one with the "removal tabs."

 

This is very cool. You had to import it from japan? The S&H must have sucked big time. Do you have part number by any chance?

 

Just go to eBay, hint, hint...

 

Thanks, found it. Seller : lbakeland

 

YEP! Won't do it again, though. It is expensive, nerve wracking and time consuming.

I had to try it once just for the experience. Since I ordered a quantity I had to pay freight forwarding charges and Customs duty on them. I worked for Customs as a "cross designated" agent in the 1970's and 1980's.

So, I kind of knew what I was in for.

If you buy one from Japan, it is assumed that it is for "personal use" and falls under the "nominal personal use duty exemption."

 

Thanks for posting this info. Just got my new Prius a few weeks ago. Checked under the hood after reading this thread and noticed no cover also. I wonder why they aren't installing these at the factory if a cover exists?? Nonetheless, I ordered one tonight.

It looks like all you need to do to install this cover is open the grey wire harness lock and pull up; put the cover in place, then re-seat the wire harness lock?

 

Correct. It's that easy to install.

Replacing or repairing that part o the wiring harness would be very expensive, should it be chewed by rodents.

From what I hear from PriusChat members, rodent damage happens quite often with the Prius.

 

Personally, I am more worried about long term exposure to moisture and corrosion of those very thin wires and connectors. I would suspect that even increasing the resistance of some of the circuits or connections would lead to difficult-to-diagnose electrical problems.
I have had sugar ants colonize my Miata twice and fire ants tried to colonize my old Volvo, but never rodents in cars yet, altho to be fair I have had birds build nests in both the engine compartment and rear stabilizer of my airplane, and that was a mess to clean up to be sure. Those caps really ought to be standard in US models.

 

Thanks Mike. I'm wondering if these were standard on the earlier model years, then eliminated in subsequent model years to reduce the production cost-per-vehicle?

 

Don't know.


All I know is that they are on all Corollas, Camry's, and RAV 4's I've seen in the dealer showroom.

 

I received the cover yesterday and tried to install it today. It appears the wire bundle from the harness is at a different angle than the opening on the cover. I tried to reposition the wire bundle to match the angle of the cover opening, but it looks like I am putting some strain on the wires and the connections. I am planning on cutting a corner out of the right side of the cover to let the wire bundle keep its current angle. The sheath that covers the wire bundle is long enough that itwould still run under the part of the cover I remove. Anyone else have this problem with their wire harness and cover?

 

Over time, the wire bundle should conform, and there will be no strain. The "set" occurred, because there was no cover installed during production.

I wouldn't cut it.

 

Thanks! After some gentle 'retraining' of the wire harness into the angle of the opening, I was able to install the cover. Just ordered another one for my wife's v!

 

I cannot find it on eBay