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. from outside
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
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
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!
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.
Mine looks like that and I bought my right off the truck so might have been that way from the factory like mine was.
