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Replacing the turn signal housing

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by timmmee, Jun 27, 2014.

  1. timmmee

    timmmee New Member

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    Hi there, just got a used 2010 Prius III (three? 3? :p). Didn't notice it when buying, but the front left turn signal housing is cracked. Apparently the dealership knew about it and had the replacement housing in the trunk, but I guess there was some communication breakdown and it was never replaced.

    The dealer said they could take care of it at that dealership, but it's over an hour and a half away and I don't feel like making the trip even if I'm getting great gas mileage. :p It doesn't seem like it'd be too complicated--heck, there's just one screw packaged with the housing--but I don't want to go unscrewing covers without having a pretty good idea of what needs to be removed in order to get the housing out.

    Has anyone replaced the turn signal housing before? Any guides or the like online that you've found (I haven't come across any)? Or is it more complicated to access than I'm estimating?

    Thank you!
     
    #1 timmmee, Jun 27, 2014
  2. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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    How mechanically inclined are you? It's not that hard, but screws, clips, and covers need to be removed.

    Either you go at it from underneath the front end with limited access and hard to see things. Or take the bumper cover off and then it's easy to get at and see everything.

    SCH-I535
     
    #2 xliderider, Jun 27, 2014
  3. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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    The download pdf file in this thread's first post has instructions on how to remove the Prius' front bumper cover. It's not hard, but it can be intimidating. Procedure starts on page two of pdf file.

    Prius 2012+ Fog light diagram/schematics? | PriusChat

    SCH-I535
     
    #3 xliderider, Jun 27, 2014
  4. phoenixgreg

    phoenixgreg Senior member

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    Here's what the assembly looks like after you remove the bumper skin:
    Prius front grill 006.JPG
     
    #4 phoenixgreg, Jun 28, 2014
    timmmee and xliderider like this.
  5. brad_the_dad

    brad_the_dad New Member

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    @xliderider> "How mechanically inclined are you? It's not that hard, but screws, clips, and covers need to be removed."

    Wow, no kidding! I need to replace my passenger-side turn-signal assembly and so far I tried partially removing the wheel-well liner to find that the windshield wiper fluid reservoir visually blocks much of the assembly.

    what are the "claws" which the PDF describes and how do you disengage them without breaking them?

    (in the bumper skin photo from @phoenixgreg , I don't see any "protective tape" that the PDF calls for)

    I don't like my odds of disengaging all those clips without breaking at least one .. then what?!
     
    #5 brad_the_dad, Sep 17, 2014
  6. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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    The clips/claws just have tabs from the bumper cover pushed into them. After removing the tabs and screws holding the cover on, just grip the loosened cover and gently pull the cover away from the headlight area.

    I used tape around the headlights per the manual the first time, but I don't do it anymore. It's really hard to scratch something unless you really try to force things back together and you are way out of alignment.

    SCH-I535
     
    #6 xliderider, Sep 17, 2014
  7. phoenixgreg

    phoenixgreg Senior member

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    If anything, you need protective towels on the driveway when the bumper skin is freed. It wants to fall downwards face first yet you can't tip it upright until all the electrical connectors are disengaged. The cosmetic front could get scratched if you don't lay down a couple of old towels first.
     
    #7 phoenixgreg, Sep 18, 2014
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