Little piece that pops

[mcsj]

I think something's wrong with my Prius. On a sunny day, the little piece that sits between the dashboard and the driver-side little window (the one in front of the driver door) will pop up like it has been pressured by the expanded dashboard. Also there's some "cracking" noise somewhere on the driver side, around the leg area (haven't figure out exactly where it comes from) when my Prius runs thru some rough roads.

Any suggestions on how to fix those?

[MarinJohn]

Your problem is a post not normally seen here. The fix must not interfere with air bag deployment. Perhaps next service you might mention this to the service adviser. I can't help but wonder if your car was in an accident and is perhaps slightly bent and/or if the airbag was once deployed.

[mcsj]

No not anywhere close to the airbag. I mean the little piece of plastic with an air vent next to the little window.

And no, no accident involved.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(MarinJohn @ Jul 9 2007, 01:09 PM) [snapback]475623[/snapback]</div>

Your problem is a post not normally seen here. The fix must not interfere with air bag deployment. Perhaps next service you might mention this to the service adviser. I can't help but wonder if your car was in an accident and is perhaps slightly bent and/or if the airbag was once deployed.
[/b]

[surfacinglove]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(mcsj @ Jul 9 2007, 11:12 AM) [snapback]475626[/snapback]</div>

No not anywhere close to the airbag. I mean the little piece of plastic with an air vent next to the little window.

And no, no accident involved.
[/b]

I had the same case wth my new 2007. I noticed it pop up in one corner about a week after having it. So I just forced it back down. It kept popping up every day or so for about 2 weeks, and I'd just shove it down again. Once it got a little warmer here, it just stayed down!

I notice the plastic parts of the dash and interior are very flexible and kinda cheap, but that's probably good they are flexible and are easily removable if needed for mods, maintenance, etc. All in all, it's good now! You could also drop a little glue maybe on the edge carefully, then give it a good shove down?

[DaveG]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(mcsj @ Jul 9 2007, 11:12 AM) [snapback]475626[/snapback]</div>

No not anywhere close to the airbag. I mean the little piece of plastic with an air vent next to the little window.

And no, no accident involved.
[/b]

That plastic panel with the vent is held in-place by plastic clips on the back of it - sounds like one of the clips isn't latching properly, or the latch is popping open when it gets warm.

You could remove the entire panel (it's very easy to remove by putting a thin plastic spatula behind it and popping it off, or by reaching behind (down by the emergency brake) and pushing on the clips from behind (my preferred method, but more difficult until you know where the latches are).

Or just bring it in to your dealership and have them take a crack at it. They might need to replace the clips or the latches they pop into.