1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Help! Son put Penny in CD Slot !

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Audio and Electronics' started by nathanvoght, Apr 2, 2009.

  1. nathanvoght

    nathanvoght New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 3, 2004
    11
    0
    0
    Location:
    Howell, Michigan
    My 2 year old recently put a penny in the slot loading CD player. It shorted the speakers and made a loud Zaap sound. I heard the penny rattle around a little more, and now I don't hear it. Any way to get the penny out to see if my CD/Radio system still works? Any help greatly appreciated...
     
  2. KK6PD

    KK6PD _ . _ . / _ _ . _

    Joined:
    Mar 24, 2008
    4,003
    946
    118
    Location:
    Los Angeles Foothills
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Well it's been my experience that the "ZAPP" thing is BAAAD, Egon!!!

    First check the FUSE that supplies power to the radio/CD unit.
    Look in your owners manual, it will point out the proper fuse location. If it's bad, replace.

    But do so AFTER you get the penny out.

    If your up to it, and want to try, taking the dash apart is fairly easy enough to do to get to the changer unit. From there it's a bit of more work to unplug and pull the changer. You then have to open the unit and retrieve the penny, and what ever else you didn't notice that was stuffed into the sot. While your in there, smell around for "That Burnt Electrical Smell" smell. it's quite distinct. If something let the smoke out, your gonna smell it!
    If you don't sell anything, take a well light look around and see if you see anything that does not look right, I.E. Blackened Spots, Broken Gear Teeth on Gear Wheels, Pieces that are bent, but they should look straight. If it smells OK and looks OK, reassemble, turn the unit on and see what you get, Radio, FM, AM, load a CD.

    Load OK?

    Play OK?

    If so, sigh a sigh of relief and unglue little Johnny out of the corner you stuck him in!!

    On the other hand, if you smell the "The Smell" , or see broken teeth, it's usually expensive and a trip to Toyota, or someone you really trust is in order!

    Hope you have Good Luck.
    Just think, it could have been worse, it could have been a Peanut Butter Samich!!!

    Let us know your results!!
     
  3. hyo silver

    hyo silver Awaaaaay

    Joined:
    Mar 2, 2005
    15,232
    1,563
    0
    Location:
    off into the sunset
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Before you rip the dash apart, you could try a vacuum cleaner. A fresh bag and a crevice tool to increase the suction just might do the trick.
     
  4. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

    Joined:
    Mar 2, 2006
    18,058
    3,075
    7
    Location:
    Northern Michigan
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    I suppose you could also turn the Prius on end and shake it. Sorry, I had to say that.

    Tom
     
  5. dogfriend

    dogfriend Human - Animal Hybrid

    Joined:
    Feb 26, 2007
    7,512
    1,188
    0
    Location:
    Carmichael, CA
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Did it let the smoke out? Electronic stuff won't work anymore if you let the smoke out. :madgrin:
     
  6. Inches

    Inches Member

    Joined:
    Jun 9, 2007
    117
    5
    0
    Location:
    San Mateo, CA
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Advanced
    There is always the coin return ;)
     
  7. HTMLSpinnr

    HTMLSpinnr Super Moderator
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Dec 8, 2003
    5,341
    920
    251
    Location:
    Surprise, AZ (Phoenix)
    Vehicle:
    2018 Tesla Model 3
    Model:
    N/A
    Having been on a recent hunt for a CD changer for the 2002, I can say there's an abundance of used CD changers on eBay from salvage cars. Try them first if you're willing to tear into the car before making that expensive trip to the dealer.

    In my case, I was able to "repair" my unit w/ a bit of superglue on the cracked gear. No penny, but my wife either got a CD stuck or forced it which cracked/broke the gear off of the eject roller spindle. Super-glued it back on (and filled the small split) and other than a clunk clunk clunk as it loads due to the one wider tooth, it works fine now. I'd imagine that even though the form factor is different, the guts will be similar in the 2004+.
     
  8. nathanvoght

    nathanvoght New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 3, 2004
    11
    0
    0
    Location:
    Howell, Michigan
    Thanks, everyone, for the tips. No, I didn't see or smell any smoke. I'm hoping the penny is just making a circuit connection that is preventing sound, and that I can remove it safely. What I don't know how to do is take the dash apart to get at the CD slot loader/player. Does anyone have a link to instructions to do this??
     
  9. dogfriend

    dogfriend Human - Animal Hybrid

    Joined:
    Feb 26, 2007
    7,512
    1,188
    0
    Location:
    Carmichael, CA
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
  10. nathanvoght

    nathanvoght New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 3, 2004
    11
    0
    0
    Location:
    Howell, Michigan
  11. chillyfl

    chillyfl New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 2, 2005
    10
    0
    0
    Location:
    Jacksonville, FL
    It's been a couple years since I've gone to Prius Chat for any help. This was a very timely thread as my 2 year old daughter just used our CD player as a piggy bank a few days ago. I was able to pull a couple of coins out, and the CD player was working. But once I tried to eject a CD, the whole system went kaput. Which means I probably missed a coin. Will attempt the same procedures recommended above.

    Does anyone know what part of the Prius to hook the crane boom to for the shake method?
     
  12. dogfriend

    dogfriend Human - Animal Hybrid

    Joined:
    Feb 26, 2007
    7,512
    1,188
    0
    Location:
    Carmichael, CA
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    You should install the front tow hook in the bumper and use that. :madgrin:
     
  13. KK6PD

    KK6PD _ . _ . / _ _ . _

    Joined:
    Mar 24, 2008
    4,003
    946
    118
    Location:
    Los Angeles Foothills
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    And make sure you leave the back hatch open. This way when the coins pop out of the CD Player they will fall to the ground. Thus making recovery of said coins easier. This will help offset the cost of the crane!!!

    Oh, and don't forget to put the hookeye back in the car when you are done.
    Just so you will have it for the next time!!!
     
  14. jsorger

    jsorger New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 23, 2004
    97
    3
    0
    I had the same thing happen to me. Disassembled the CD player and found the dime interfering with the movement of the player arm. Removed it and now the changer won't accept a new CD (hitting 'load' causes it to cycle, the proper lights flash, but it won't "pull" the CD in.

    Oh well... Lesson learned!
     
  15. lefat1

    lefat1 Fat Member

    Joined:
    Jul 8, 2007
    1,476
    47
    0
    Location:
    Sunny S. Florida
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    u guys are unbelievable, geeks i might add...the op is in need of help and you offer him the rediculous suggestion of turning the car on end and shaking out the coins...the easiest solution is to drive in reverse attaining warp speed until you go back in time at which time you pluck the coin from the lil guys hand
     
  16. KK6PD

    KK6PD _ . _ . / _ _ . _

    Joined:
    Mar 24, 2008
    4,003
    946
    118
    Location:
    Los Angeles Foothills
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    I just make it a rule that NO irresponsible children are allowed in my "Barcelona Red Baby"!

    Well, except for ME of course!!
     
  17. GeoGeek

    GeoGeek Member

    Joined:
    Mar 2, 2006
    360
    31
    0
    Location:
    Auburndale, FL
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    Imagine the frustration when, after putting his money in, no gumball came out.
    Poor kid.
     
    1 person likes this.