How to avoid a...

InTheWASide · 08-26-2004, 01:22 AM

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...

[size=18]BEWARE!!

**TonyPSchaefer** · 08-26-2004, 11:12 AM

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.

InTheWASide · 08-26-2004, 11:41 AM

Quote:

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.

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

hdrygas · 08-26-2004, 12:07 PM

Ouch!

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?

Too geeky even for me. 8)

drivenmore · 08-26-2004, 12:09 PM

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)

Bob Allen · 08-26-2004, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Ouch!

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?

Too geeky even for me. 8)

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

InTheWASide · 08-26-2004, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bob Allen+--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Bob Allen)</div>

Quote:

<!--QuoteBegin-hdrygas

Quote:

Ouch! 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? Too geeky even for me. 8)

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[/b]

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...

08-26-2004, 01:22 AM	#1
InTheWASide Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Everett, WA Posts: 252 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	How to avoid a... 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... [size=18]BEWARE!! __________________ [font=Comic Sans MS:e54710698e] Brad 2004 Prius/Black w/ 17" Chrome BC/#9 20200 miles as of 1/10/2005 Back in WA and loving every minute of it!![/font:e54710698e] :multi: :clap: :multi: inthewaside@aol.com

08-26-2004, 11:12 AM	#2
TonyPSchaefer Your Friendly Moderator Join Date: May 2004 Location: Far-North Chicagoland Posts: 10,506 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: Package: #9 Thanks: 39 Thanked 168 Times in 109 Posts Friends: 23	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. __________________ Proud father of Priapus: the '04 Tideland BC9 with an OEM EV button and sense of self-righteousness Current Mileage Chicago Prius Group Website Chicago Hybrid Group on FaceBook Find me on faceBook

08-26-2004, 12:09 PM	#5
drivenmore Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 28 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 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)

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08-26-2004, 12:07 PM	#4
hdrygas Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Olympia Wa Posts: 3,650 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: Package: #9 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts Friends: 0	Ouch! 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? Too geeky even for me. 8)