Weird wire

Stalix · 11-16-2006, 09:30 PM

I have a 01 Toyota Prius base model

I have this weird wire connecting 2 points of where a relay should be. its in the relay box under the hood, the one on the driver's side.

I have taken a picture, maybe you guys can tell me what its for. certainly doesn't look oem, I have now taken the wire off and all works well. I have taken a look at my buddies 2001 prius but he has no such wire and hass all the same features as me.

an explanation as to why someone would do this mod would be nice.

vincent1449p · 11-17-2006, 02:35 AM

The EWD indicate pin 1 & 5 shorted is with DRL. Maybe our Canadian members can verify it for you?

Stalix · 11-18-2006, 02:29 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(vincent1449p @ Nov 16 2006, 11:35 PM) [snapback]350727[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

The EWD indicate pin 1 & 5 shorted is with DRL. Maybe our Canadian members can verify it for you?
[/b]

So what does that mean?

mr_zorg · 11-18-2006, 02:52 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Stalix @ Nov 18 2006, 12:29 AM) [snapback]351339[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

So what does that mean?
[/b]

EWD = Electrical Wiring Diagram
DRL = Daytime Running Lights
If that's right, you didn't notice anything not working because you were inside the car. Try standing outside and see if your daytime running lights are on. Was your friend's Prius a Canadian model? Or perhaps an early model year that didn't have daytime running lights?

Stalix · 11-18-2006, 12:41 PM

Nope, it's not DRL. I just tried to run the car with and without the wire the way it was. I did not see any lights come on or anything different for that matter.

This is driving me nuts, I really want to know what its for.

Someone told me that its for dealer diagnostic purposes, could that be the case?

Cheap! · 11-19-2006, 10:57 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Stalix @ Nov 18 2006, 11:41 AM) [snapback]351405[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Nope, it's not DRL. I just tried to run the car with and without the wire the way it was. I did not see any lights come on or anything different for that matter.

This is driving me nuts, I really want to know what its for.

Someone told me that its for dealer diagnostic purposes, could that be the case?
[/b]

In electronics, some connectors are just a good place for a connection points between to points. This is very common. Although I don't know what two points are being connected here, or why, it is not weird. With a little more research you should be able to find out what is connected, as to why that is another issue all together.

Syclone · 11-19-2006, 11:29 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Stalix @ Nov 16 2006, 09:30 PM) [snapback]350608[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

I have a 01 Toyota Prius base model

I have this weird wire connecting 2 points of where a relay should be. its in the relay box under the hood, the one on the driver's side.

I have taken a picture, maybe you guys can tell me what its for. certainly doesn't look oem, I have now taken the wire off and all works well. I have taken a look at my buddies 2001 prius but he has no such wire and hass all the same features as me.

an explanation as to why someone would do this mod would be nice.
[/b]

I don't know what the wires are for, but acording to the diagram, there shouldn't be a relay there! The diagram shows a box that would normally have a description of the function of the component at that location with a diagonal line through it. That means - Nothing there. Possibly in another configuration, either a different accessory package or in another country there is a component at that location.

DanMan32 · 11-22-2006, 12:04 PM

I examined the wiring diagram, it definitely has to do with DRL. It feeds power through the DRL fuse, which then feeds power to the coil of the DRL relay.
I think without that wire, normal headlight operation won't work, as the DRL relay applies ground to the common connection of the headlight bulbs when the coil is energized.
If this car doesn't have DRL, then the wire does nothing.
Do you have a DRL relay and fuse in one of the other engine compartment junction blocks?

11-16-2006, 09:30 PM	#1
Stalix Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 19 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I have a 01 Toyota Prius base model I have this weird wire connecting 2 points of where a relay should be. its in the relay box under the hood, the one on the driver's side. I have taken a picture, maybe you guys can tell me what its for. certainly doesn't look oem, I have now taken the wire off and all works well. I have taken a look at my buddies 2001 prius but he has no such wire and hass all the same features as me. an explanation as to why someone would do this mod would be nice. Attached Thumbnails

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Getting down to the wire...	BellBoy	Prius Main Forum	13	05-11-2006 07:45 PM
Wire fishing	hawkjm73	Audio and Electronics	6	12-29-2005 08:22 PM
the green wire	kDB	Audio and Electronics	2	07-06-2005 12:34 PM
Where to put the ipod if I wire it in?	rerstad	Audio and Electronics	3	10-05-2004 09:28 AM
How much is By-Wire?	natural_tools	Prius Main Forum	3	04-09-2004 03:13 PM

11-17-2006, 02:35 AM	#2
vincent1449p Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Singapore Posts: 196 My Car: 2003 Prius Package: Base Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	The EWD indicate pin 1 & 5 shorted is with DRL. Maybe our Canadian members can verify it for you?

11-18-2006, 12:41 PM	#5
Stalix Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 19 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Nope, it's not DRL. I just tried to run the car with and without the wire the way it was. I did not see any lights come on or anything different for that matter. This is driving me nuts, I really want to know what its for. Someone told me that its for dealer diagnostic purposes, could that be the case?

11-22-2006, 12:04 PM	#8
DanMan32 Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Tampa Bay, FL Posts: 3,775 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I examined the wiring diagram, it definitely has to do with DRL. It feeds power through the DRL fuse, which then feeds power to the coil of the DRL relay. I think without that wire, normal headlight operation won't work, as the DRL relay applies ground to the common connection of the headlight bulbs when the coil is energized. If this car doesn't have DRL, then the wire does nothing. Do you have a DRL relay and fuse in one of the other engine compartment junction blocks?