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

How to avoid a...

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by InTheWASide, Aug 26, 2004.

  1. InTheWASide

    InTheWASide New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 20, 2004
    252
    0
    0
    Location:
    Everett, WA
    Noticed this thread today:
    http://www.priuschat.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=1994

    And wanted to mention that a while back I had tried to plug my cell charger into my center console outlet only to discover it didn't work. I went down to the dealer as I assumed that somehow a fuse blew (but after only 9 months?)
    They took a look at it and saw that a PENNY was wedged all the way back and perfectly flush in there. They had to disassemble the entire center console to get it out. I just stash extra change (coinds and some small bills sometimes) in the center console, but if you're gonna do coinds either avoid pennies (seriously, the SAME size) or be sure that little cover is latched on it.

    It would normally cost a lot more but the manager of the service department of Toyota of Long Beach loves my car enough he made it cheaper... Totally unnecessary though if you're careful...

    BEWARE!! :D
     
  2. TonyPSchaefer

    TonyPSchaefer Your Friendly Moderator
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    May 11, 2004
    14,816
    2,498
    66
    Location:
    Far-North Chicagoland
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Advanced
    This might sound really stupid, but in the future, when you have something like that stuck in a position like that, try taking some super glue or epoxy, put some on the end of a stick or brand new pencil eraser and glue it to the object. Give it adequate time to dry to maximum adhesion (possibly overnight).

    Coins, unfortunately, often have skin oils on them which might make them more difficult to adhere to. But I have used this technique on many things. If it would have worked for you, it would have cost the price of the glue.

    All in all, though, I think you're lucky that the penny did not create a connection between electrical leads and really reak some havoc.
     
  3. InTheWASide

    InTheWASide New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 20, 2004
    252
    0
    0
    Location:
    Everett, WA
    Yeah tell me about it. Apparently the penny DID conduct enough power that it blew the fuse for that charger so the dealer had to replace that in addition to completely tearing the center console apart
     
  4. hdrygas

    hdrygas New Member

    Joined:
    May 22, 2004
    3,650
    6
    0
    Location:
    Olympia Wa
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Ouch! :eek: Just went down stairs and took the change out of the little slot above the plug. Now what to do with the change? Might get one of those change dispensers and keep it on my belt? :roll: Too geeky even for me. 8)
     
  5. drivenmore

    drivenmore New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 19, 2004
    28
    0
    0
    take a look at your doors

    There's a little cubby space on the side of the doors that is perfect for change (I'm talking about the little space on the armrest, not below it) :D
     
  6. Bob Allen

    Bob Allen Captainbaba

    Joined:
    Jan 16, 2004
    1,273
    11
    0
    Location:
    Seattle, WA
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    No need to carry pennies; parking meters don't take anything but dimes and quarters in Seattle. I use a 35mm film canister which will hold about 30 quarters that I use for the self-serve car wash and for parking meters.
    No muss, no fuss, no blown fuses. Interesting problem, that penny in the outlet. Any small metal thing could do the same thing, though.
    B
     
  7. InTheWASide

    InTheWASide New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 20, 2004
    252
    0
    0
    Location:
    Everett, WA
    Very true,
    but this penny fit PERFECTLY. They tried small tools to get in between etc... it was flush and perfectly vertical so it couldn't even be wedged out...