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Ground Wire Between Radiator & Grill?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by R_W, Apr 27, 2019.

  1. R_W

    R_W Junior Member

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    Based upon the replies and conclusions to my previous query, I was looking under my 2010 to prepare for flushing the coolant, when I found a wire dangling underneath with a clip on the end. My instinct is that it's a ground wire, so I clipped the end to the grounded metal as it was obviously supposed to connect and followed the shielded wire up, to where it connected to something I couldn't quite see without taking things loose at the top, beside the hppd latch.

    I'm sure somebody know what this ground wire grounds. Instead of putting effort into finding out on my own, I thought I'd take the easy way out and make a searchable post to ask.

    Thanks
     
  2. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    Pics?
     
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  3. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

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    Or it didn't happen...
     
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  4. padroo

    padroo Senior Member

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    Your question is like asking where an unknown road goes in southern Florida.:)
     
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  5. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

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    But I love these type of post, we throw a lot of wandering answers & suggestions. If not, how would I get quotes for my signatures?!

    Could be a left over ground clamp from a removed fog light install.
     
  6. R_W

    R_W Junior Member

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    Tried to take a pic, but I can't really get a good one in the dark.

    My car only has one wire that goes down, pretty close to the center of the radiator on the front side. (Sort of like Alligator Alley in South Florida crossing the Everglades, LOL) Looks like it comes from something eight inches or so to the driver's side of the latch. It's in a ribbed casing that goes over to the center, then straight down to where it connects to a clip that's clearly supposed to slide over something, I assume metal as a ground, but maybe it clipped into something different before.

    (If I were to describe it, the clip is like one you'd use to connect two wire sets together, like the ones on an old fuel pump or inside the door for an electric window, except this clip is made of metal)

    When I found it, the clip was pretty much dangling, so I slipped it where it looked like it should go.

    Maybe I'll try again for a pic in the morning. Glad I could provide some amusement.
     
    #6 R_W, Apr 27, 2019
    Last edited: Apr 27, 2019
  7. Elektroingenieur

    Elektroingenieur Senior Member

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    The ▽ Location of Ground Points illustration in the Electrical Wiring Diagram (more info) shows that the six chassis ground points in the engine compartment (A1, A2, A3, and A4 on the Engine Room Main Wire, and D1 and D2 on the Engine Wire) are all bolted connections, and none is near the location you describe.
     
  8. orenji

    orenji Senior Member

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    Loose horn wire?
     
  9. jzchen

    jzchen Newbie!

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    What I was thinking as one possibility...
     
  10. padroo

    padroo Senior Member

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    That far forward I would say usually lights, horn and maybe an airbag sensor but I am not sure where they are located.
     
  11. Vman455

    Vman455 Senior Member

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    That's the external temperature sensor. Where it looked like it should slide over and clip in place is exactly where it's supposed to go.

    ETA: It's easy for that to fall off, mine has done it before. Just clip it back on and go.
     
  12. padroo

    padroo Senior Member

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    Ambient Temp Sensor Location. I didn't know this.

     
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  13. R_W

    R_W Junior Member

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    Thanks! Confirmed via @padroo's video. That's it!
     
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