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Smoke From Dash Speakers for 5-15 seconds

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by Ryan D., Dec 23, 2022.

  1. Ryan D.

    Ryan D. New Member

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    Location:
    Florida
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    II
    For about 10 s, a wisp of smoke came out from around both dash speakers on a 2011 Prius after about 1.5 hr highway driving in warm Florida weather. As far as I can make out, there are no vents in these areas. The AC was on, and the radio was off. The radio still works. It smelled like an electrical fire. There are no warning lights apart from a bad TMPS sensor and an upcoming oil service, and the car seems to be fine now. I haven't driven long enough to check gas mileage. The car has 105,000 mi. I have checked that there is flow through the inverter coolant reservoir as suggested from the most similar previous posts.

    Any thoughts on what caused this or how it should be handled?

    The attached pictures show where I rubbed the residue from the smoke off the windshield with a fingernail.
     

    Attached Files:

    #1 Ryan D., Dec 23, 2022
  2. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

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    Okay so lick your finger and wipe it on the glass right above that speaker down low like where the smoke or whatever the vapor would have hit the windshield now taste it does it taste like coolant? If so that may be a heater core or something with a slight crack or that type of thing If it doesn't I don't know what to tell you. If the smell is really electrical ozone burning smell I can't imagine what's burnt up your stereo still works everything's working in the car that's quite the strange thing I would even hate to imagine taking apart to dash trying to chase that down seeing these cars apart right regularly like that.
     
    #2 Tombukt2, Dec 23, 2022
    Rebound likes this.
  3. Ryan D.

    Ryan D. New Member

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    No taste. This happened 16 days ago so I doubt ethylene glycol would still be sticking around. It was definitely an electrical burning smell. It looks like the only vent for the windshield is in the center of the dash. It's definitely strange. I might pull the speakers out. Thanks for the input!
     
    #3 Ryan D., Dec 23, 2022
  4. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

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    Loud stereo he he
     
    #4 Tombukt2, Dec 24, 2022
  5. Rebound

    Rebound Senior Member

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    They have small lowpass filter capacitors on them which could have popped, but I doubt that's it.
     
    #5 Rebound, Dec 24, 2022
  6. Leadfoot J. McCoalroller

    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller Senior Member

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    Pretty much zero chance it's the speakers. I'm guessing the smoke came out there because that's where air could flow, and no other reason.

    You are likely to find something burnt- possibly your nose will lead you close enough to find visual cues.

    Good luck & keep us posted!
     
    #6 Leadfoot J. McCoalroller, Dec 24, 2022
    Gearbreaker likes this.
  7. MikeDee

    MikeDee Senior Member

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    Maybe dust?


    iPhone ? Pro
     
    #7 MikeDee, Dec 24, 2022
  8. Ryan D.

    Ryan D. New Member

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    I'll let you know what I find, guys. It might take a while to pull the speakers as I'm out of free holiday time. I'm on the same page that this makes no sense, but I wasn't the only one in the car, so I didn't imagine it. I also I can't find anything burnt up on the front side of the firewall in those spots. Thanks for the input!
     
    #8 Ryan D., Dec 24, 2022
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