please help -- want to remove CDs from dead prius

Here are instructions for opening up the dash to get to the stereo. Might be something else easier, but this would allow you to get the CD player out, from there you might be able to open up the CD player.

Stereo accessory install guide

 

While i haven't looked at taking apart the Prius stereo (but have pulled it out for some mods), you should be able to get to the CDs in one way or another. Most likely (based on experience with other car stereos) the casing to the unit is held together with screws or bolts (not welded), or possible some clips, so you should be able to figure it out. you may have to get a set of screw drivers/heads with the star shape on them, though.

 

That's too bad about your Prius....I feel for you.
If you follow the directions (pointed to in the earlier post) and you can remove
both the main radio and the 6-CD changer, you may be able to power up the
units outside of the car by cutting the wiring harness out (with both components)
and supplying power & ground to the constant, switched, and ground wires. Then
you could eject the discs the normal way. This is assuming that the units are still
working (which wouldn't be unheard of even after being submerged).
Whatever you do, make sure it won't give the insurance company any reason not
to pay out the claim. If you can get the two units out with wire harness attached,
someone here on PC should be able to tell you which wires need to be hooked up to
power up the units.
Alternatively, you could take apart the chasis of the 6-disc changer (like an earlier poster suggested)
and retrieve the discs that way.
Good Luck!

 

If you have NAV, I can tell you two wires to short together that will power on the radio, even without the key. You will need power to the 12 Volt, though.

Nate

 

So sorry to hear your news. I hope Insurance will take care of you.

Good Luck.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jkusnetz @ Jun 27 2006, 01:10 PM) [snapback]277478[/snapback]</div>

Those are good instructions, but that's a lot of work! Basically you apparently need to take apart the whole dash left of the gloveboxes.

After letting it dry out awhile, have you tried hitting the power button twice without holding the brake down? That would turn on all the accessories but not the engine, if the electrical and accessory battery has survived. You could try taking out all the fuses except for the CD/radio before you try this, to minimize the opportunities for a problem. I think the accessory battery (to the right of the spare tire well) could be replaced by any 12-volt battery for this situation, if needed, but I'd bet it's okay.

Too bad it's not like the single-CD drives on a PC/Mac where you can stick a straightened paper-clip in the little hole and eject the disk in an emergency.

 

so sorry to hear about your loss!

A few thoughts...

1. Insurance should cover the cost of those CD's as well, so maybe you can just replace them instead?

2. If not, then if you take the player out, maybe you can find a sympathetic dealership who can hopefully connect it into another Prius to power it up. However, you will want to make 100% sure that it is dry inside!

Trying to force them out may be your best bet, but may also damage them.

Maybe you can give us a list of the ones you lost and some of us here can burn you some new ones from our collections?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(MLS @ Jun 27 2006, 10:49 PM) [snapback]277825[/snapback]</div>

Hi Marianne,

So sorry to hear about your car- this flooding has really been nasty!
Your insurance should cover anything that was in your car. I once had a stereo taken out of my car, as well as a bunch of CDs, and my insurance covered it all.
Hopefully you've had your Prius serviced recently- then your dealer or mechanic can verify the mileage.
If you post the titles of the CDs here, chances are that among all of us here, we have thm all. If your two-year old's favorite music includes the Greatful Dead or Bruce Springsteen, I've got ya' covered!
p.s. once your insurance settles up, are you getting a new Prius?