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How Does the "Park" Button work?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Audio and Electronics' started by rollerguy, Jun 6, 2014.

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  1. rollerguy

    rollerguy New Member

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    Today I removed the dashboard pieces around the shift lever, radio, center console and start button in my 2010 Prius. The reason is because I installed a Blu Logic so that I can have hands free talking with my cell phone.

    As I was removing the dashboard pieces, I noticed that the backside of the "Park" button had the wires cut off and they were taped with electrical tape. Essentially, these wires are not connected to anything and must be doing nothing.

    I can park on an incline, press the "Park" button, and it makes the noise we are all accustomed to. The car does not roll; It is indeed in park. My question is, can anyone explain how the "Park" button works when it appears to not have any wired connection?
     
    #1 rollerguy, Jun 6, 2014
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    bluetooth?:confused:
     
    #2 bisco, Jun 6, 2014
  3. ibmoses

    ibmoses Junior Member

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    Pics of wires "cut off" and "taped" please.
     
    #3 ibmoses, Jun 6, 2014
  4. rollerguy

    rollerguy New Member

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    Sorry, I'm not taking it apart again. The harness was still plugged into the back of the "Park" button, but the wires were cut leaving about 1/2 inch sticking out, and then taped up with electrical tape. As "bisco" replied, "bluetooth:Confused". Obviously it doesn't work via Bluetooth. I'm just curious if anyone out there knows how it does work.
     
    #4 rollerguy, Jun 6, 2014
  5. El Dobro

    El Dobro A Member

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    What does it show on the display? When does the P light up?
     
    #5 El Dobro, Jun 6, 2014
  6. rollerguy

    rollerguy New Member

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    The "Park" button has a small green colored light. The light comes on when the vehicle is placed in Park, and goes out when the vehicle is shifted into drive or reverse.
     
    #6 rollerguy, Jun 6, 2014
  7. El Dobro

    El Dobro A Member

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    I wasn't talking about the button, but if it's lit, then it is wired somehow.
     
    #7 El Dobro, Jun 6, 2014
  8. El Dobro

    El Dobro A Member

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    Does the "P" on the button light up at night?
     
    #8 El Dobro, Jun 6, 2014
  9. rollerguy

    rollerguy New Member

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    Yes, at night when you turn on the lights, the "P" on the "Park" button lights up. That's the reason I posted this question. I'm wondering if anyone knows how it lights up, and operates, when there are no wires connected to it?
     
    #9 rollerguy, Jun 6, 2014
  10. El Dobro

    El Dobro A Member

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    I would imagine there's four wires, two for the actuator and two for the illumination. Without seeing all the wiring, I guess we'll never know.
     
    #10 El Dobro, Jun 6, 2014
  11. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

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    .
     
    #11 fuzzy1, Jun 6, 2014
  12. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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    I don't know about the Park mechanism engaging when you press the P button (with no wiring), but it will automatically engage Park when you shut the car down, even if it is in D or R.
     
    #12 xliderider, Jun 6, 2014
  13. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i was thinking the same thing, but he said 'when i push the park button', and he mentions the power button in disassembly, so i assume he knows the difference.
     
    #13 bisco, Jun 7, 2014
  14. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    fuzzy 1 makes a good point.^^^
     
    #14 bisco, Jun 7, 2014
    fuzzy1 likes this.
  15. El Dobro

    El Dobro A Member

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    If only one.
     
    #15 El Dobro, Jun 7, 2014
  16. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    I'm pretty much convinced if I got the gumption to dig down to the innards of the Park button on mine, I wouldn't be seeing cut-off wires. I'm a little incredulous.
     
    #16 Mendel Leisk, Jun 7, 2014
  17. El Dobro

    El Dobro A Member

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    Yea, if the button lights up and actuates the parking pawl, then everything's working.
     
    #17 El Dobro, Jun 7, 2014
  18. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

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    Only because my first thoughts were wrong, and had to be deleted.
     
    #18 fuzzy1, Jun 7, 2014
  19. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    never stops me from leaving mine, i wouldn't have any posts otherwise.:p
     
    #19 bisco, Jun 7, 2014
  20. rollerguy

    rollerguy New Member

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    Okay, so I am the one who originally asked the question, and it's just killing me how it works. So, I took my dash apart this morning, and now the mystery is solved. I've included pictures.

    Photo 1 shows the top side of the "Park" button.

    Photo 2 shows the underside of the "Park" button, and what appears to be cut off and taped wires (see the "red" circled area). This is what I was referring to when I originally asked the question.

    Photo 3 solves the mystery. Had I taken the time to look at the other side of the underside of the switch, I would have seen that what appears to be cut off wires was really a folded back and taped wire (see the "red" circled area) that goes to the connections to illuminate the lights and operate the parking brake (follow the "red" arrows). If any of you ever take this apart, it's very inconvenient to flip it over due to the cramped space & length of the wires to the other buttons on this piece (EVO, ECO, power & hazard light switch).

    Thanks to all who responded, but now we all know how it operates.

    Pic4.jpg Pic5.jpg Pic6.jpg
     
    #20 rollerguy, Jun 7, 2014
    ftl and Mendel Leisk like this.
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