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Strange little switch not identified

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by SPEEDEAMON, Sep 1, 2008.

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  1. SPEEDEAMON

    SPEEDEAMON Professional Car Nut

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    There's an unidentified small black push-on / push-off type switch on the driver's side lower kick panel adjacent to the parking brake pedal. It looks like something from Radio Shack and not factory in design or quality. Could this be connected to the $695 Starter Guard my dealer forced me to swallow?
    Thanks
     
    #1 SPEEDEAMON, Sep 1, 2008
  2. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
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    I'm guessing it is the Starter Guard...
    There are some knock outs for OEM buttons directly below the steering column (where I would have put the Starter Guard button, but that's just me)...Those are for the SKS, TPMS, etc.
     
    #2 efusco, Sep 1, 2008
  3. Ct. Ken V

    Ct. Ken V Active Member

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    to both of you,

    Just what function does a "starter guard" serve on a car without a conventional starter (& for $695 no less)?
     
    #3 Ct. Ken V, Sep 1, 2008
  4. abcdefgary

    abcdefgary New Member

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    Push on, push off. That sounds like the main switch for the Smart Key System.
     
    #4 abcdefgary, Sep 1, 2008
  5. SPEEDEAMON

    SPEEDEAMON Professional Car Nut

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    Thank you for your responses. This is not the Smart Key System activation/deactivation switch as that is located below the steering column.

    The Starter Guard is a gizmo forcefully installed by the dealer at an inflated price and located next to the 12Volt battery located in the luggage compartment. I had to take it to buy the car. Its function is to disengage the electrical system from the battery when it detects the battery is losinng charge to prevent your car from starting up initially. It probably cosots the dealer $100 but here's where they make money on top of MSRP.

    This is a cheap looking switch that looks out of place and added as an afterthought like by someone with no logic, taste or appreciation of common sense or aethetics. It can be accidentally kicked by your foot when depressing the parking brake. If you were living when the first car alarms came into existance you would recognize this switch as it looks like the ones to arm/disarm your vehicle.

    Thanks
     
    #5 SPEEDEAMON, Sep 1, 2008
  6. penbed

    penbed New Member

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    I have one directly below the steering column.
    Manual shows smart key-my car does not have smart key option.
    There is a knock out next to button.
    I still have no clue what button is for.
     
    #6 penbed, Sep 1, 2008
  7. SparrowHawk60

    SparrowHawk60 Happy to be green!

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    If at all possible a photo of this button might help some one figure it out. :smow:
     
    #7 SparrowHawk60, Sep 1, 2008
  8. SPEEDEAMON

    SPEEDEAMON Professional Car Nut

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    Here it is
     
    #8 SPEEDEAMON, Sep 1, 2008
  9. BDDave

    BDDave New Member

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    I would ask the dealer what it is and how it works. If they put it in, they should have explained it to you.
     
    #9 BDDave, Sep 1, 2008
  10. KTPhil

    KTPhil Active Member

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    WIth the way they ripped you off on the device, I bet they charge for "technical support," too.
     
    #10 KTPhil, Sep 1, 2008
  11. abcdefgary

    abcdefgary New Member

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    Well, I don't know what that is, but I can tell you: I don't have that. I don't know if that helps. I have a stock package #6.
     
    #11 abcdefgary, Sep 1, 2008
  12. fish_antlers

    fish_antlers New Member

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    that's the "al gore" button
     
    #12 fish_antlers, Sep 2, 2008
  13. Dozzer

    Dozzer Prius Noob

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    Well, it's definately not standard.. How come the dealer "forced" you to have it installed ? You live in Iraq?
     
    #13 Dozzer, Sep 2, 2008
  14. Qlara

    Qlara New Member

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    Definitely not a 'stock' switch from Toyota.

    Do you have aftermarket alarm too?
    This looks like an aftermarket alarm (disable/reset) button.
     
    #14 Qlara, Sep 2, 2008
  15. SPEEDEAMON

    SPEEDEAMON Professional Car Nut

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    I say "forced" because we had to accept it to have it installed as part of the agreement to be put on the waiting list. This is at Santa Monica Toyota, yes in the Republic of Santa Monica. That was $695 above MSRP when other dealers were adding $1000 or more without installing anything but greed.

    At the time it was a weekday afternoon (July 10) and we were 4th in line to get just a test drive. When the car came (Aug 30), the salesman called and said if we weren't there within an hour he had people waiting to take the car. So other than the pretty finance woman trying to sell their BS package (maintenance) which we declined profusely, we got it for the original agreement price.
     
    #15 SPEEDEAMON, Sep 2, 2008
  16. SPEEDEAMON

    SPEEDEAMON Professional Car Nut

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    No added alarm. Touring Package #6 has integrated abti theft system.

    I have put a call into the dealer to ask them but they haven't called me back yet.
     
    #16 SPEEDEAMON, Sep 2, 2008
  17. sorka

    sorka Active Member

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    You weren't forced to do anything. You could take it or leave it. The dealer can charge whatever they want. Why on earth you would put up with such treatment and still agree to be ripped off leaves me dumbfounded. I can't even comprehend it. Even two months ago when the gouging was at it's peak, there were dealers selling for under MSRP(without add-ons or bogus fees) if you were willing to wait a few months.
     
    #17 sorka, Sep 2, 2008
  18. SPEEDEAMON

    SPEEDEAMON Professional Car Nut

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    Where are you located? That wasn't the case in Los Angeles. Were you actively looking and are you still waiting? We waited 7 weeks
     
    #18 SPEEDEAMON, Sep 2, 2008
  19. Ct. Ken V

    Ct. Ken V Active Member

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    Hey, penbed,

    In the block to the left of your post you say you have a 2008 pkg #5. Well guess what? You do have the smart key system! For 2008 every Prius has it except the model 1220 base unit & the standard model 1224 with a pkg #1. You do have the little black squares on both front door handles don't you (& also on the hatch just above the license plate recess & to the right of center) & your fobs do have the silver Toyota logo, don't they? So explain how your pkg #5 doesn't have the Smart Key System. Just curious.

    Ken (in Bolton,Ct)
     
    #19 Ct. Ken V, Sep 2, 2008
  20. darelldd

    darelldd Prius is our Gas Guzzler

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    That is almost certainly the reset button for a Battery Brain. And I can tell you that it also didn't cost the dealer $100.

    If you'd like a second one, I have an unused one for sale right here! :)
    http://priuschat.com/forums/private-sales/49271-f-s-battery-brain-gold-bronze-new.html

    I'm somewhat familiar with them. As you can see, the Gold (what you probably have) retails for about $80. The dealer doesn't pay retail, of course.
     
    #20 darelldd, Sep 2, 2008
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