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2017 Prius Missing OBD Connector

Discussion in 'Gen 4 Prius Main Forum' started by FuelMiser, Jun 16, 2023.

  1. FuelMiser

    FuelMiser Senior Member

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    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    Posting for my sister. She bought her car used, and tried connecting her OBD dongle last night after getting the Master Caution triangle while driving. She says her OBD dongle worked correctly on her previous Prius after connecting to a white female port near the left knee, but she did not find a white connector on her 2017. She pushed the dongle into the space where the connector should be and it seated (maybe) and some lights came on but eventually went out. She could not get any readings from the OBD system. I checked my 2016, and there is a white female OBD connector where it should be, but she says it is missing on her 2017. Can't say if the previous owner or selling dealer messed with the OBD connector, but how difficult is it to replace/repair the port to be able to read codes?
     
    #1 FuelMiser, Jun 16, 2023
  2. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    Highly unlikely that it is completely missing.

    Mounted in a different place......maybe.
    Came loose from the mount.......maybe.

    Y'all need a flashlight and another set of eyes on this problem
    BEFORE you jump to any conclusions.
     
    #2 sam spade 2, Jun 16, 2023
  3. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    IV
    In my Gen 3, IIRC, that connector just clips into the opening in that panel down there. You can squeeze the ears on it and pop it out, say if you're taking that panel off.

    If anybody ever did that and didn't pop the connector back into the hole, it's probably just flopping around behind there.
     
    #3 ChapmanF, Jun 16, 2023
    FuelMiser and kc5dlo like this.
  4. kc5dlo

    kc5dlo Active Member

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    Location:
    DFW TX
    Vehicle:
    2021 Prius
    Model:
    XLE
    On my 2021, I popped out the connector and plugged in an extension cable with right angle plugs. I did this because I have a dongle that I use for internet when on my longer trips. Without it the dongle sticks strait down and i was afraid of whacking it with my foot or leg and doing damage. I pushed my connector behind the dash to make the connection when I first noticed the problem and before I ordered the extension. I have been unable to get the connector to snap back into it's original location. Not sure if the connector only goes in one direction. If so, it is wrong for my right angle extension. I just connected the extension behind the dash and fished it up through the access panel at the end of the dash by the drivers door ( It snaps off). There is not a lot of slack in the cable and that makes it a little more challenging. You should be able to find it pretty easily though by putting some light in the footwell area and looking through the access panel at the end of the dash.
     
    #4 kc5dlo, Jun 18, 2023
    FuelMiser likes this.
  5. FuelMiser

    FuelMiser Senior Member

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    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    She remembers the selling dealer had installed an immobilizer and had left a cable dangling when she took possession. She took it to another dealer to have the cable removed, and maybe they didn't replace the connector.
     
    #5 FuelMiser, Jun 19, 2023
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