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Passenger Power Window Sensor

Discussion in 'Gen 4 Prius Main Forum' started by EdwardD20, Sep 20, 2020.

  1. EdwardD20

    EdwardD20 Junior Member

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    Mostly because of COVID and working from home, I haven't started my 2017 Prius in a long time. Went to start it yesterday and the 12V battery was low. I got it charged up overnight and the car is back in operation.

    However in the process, now when I use the power window up on the passenger side, it closes then immediately goes back down about 1/3. Obviously some sensor is out of alignment. If I close using taps on the up button, when I turn off the car I get the message that the Window is Open.

    Going down, the window stops properly when full open.

    The driver side window is fine.

    Suggestions?

    Thanks in advance.

    Ed
     
  2. pianewman

    pianewman Active Member

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    Have you tried simply cycling it up and down several times, using both switches? In my experience, depleting the 12V battery can cause some of the electronics to require a "reset." VWs are notorious for that, my 2015 Nissan Leaf, as well...not sure about Prius.

    ...just a WAG...
     
  3. krmcg

    krmcg Lowered Blizzard Pearl Beauty

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    Did you check that there is nothing in the way of the window closing? That is what it does if it meets with interference.
     
  4. EdwardD20

    EdwardD20 Junior Member

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    @pianewman - Good thought but yes I've tried that. What I'm thinking of next (after 24 hours here with no solution) would be to have the window rolled up and disconnect the 12V power again overnight. See if that resets the sensor.

    @krmcg - the window seems very smooth going both up and down.


    Ed
     
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  5. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    That's not how it works really. It's more along the lines of dead-reckoning how far up or down it is, and whether it is encountering resistance because it knows it is all the way up (which would be ok) or because it has hit something (in which case it stops and backs down).

    It has to learn where "all the way up" is. If the battery power is lost, it forgets. There's a procedure for having it relearn. If I remember right (for earlier generations), you just roll it up and continue holding the switch in the up position for several seconds.
     
    #5 ChapmanF, Sep 20, 2020
    Last edited: Sep 20, 2020
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  6. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

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    Go to (it's PAGE 214 on my copy of the USA Manual) - and on the NEXT PAGE are the instructions:
    upload_2020-9-21_9-15-53.png
     
    #6 alanclarkeau, Sep 20, 2020
    Last edited: Sep 20, 2020
  7. EdwardD20

    EdwardD20 Junior Member

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    @ChapmanF - That's the kind of solution I was hoping for, but it didn't work. I go all the way up and it instantly retreats. Holding the Up button doesn't help.

    @alanclarkeau - Unfortunately those are the basic operating instructions, not how to reset the sensor.

    I've unplugged the battery so we'll see what happens in the AM.
     
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  8. EdwardD20

    EdwardD20 Junior Member

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  9. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

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    Did you look at the NEXT PAGE? Instructions on resetting are there.
     
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  10. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    Given that loss of 12 volt power is what makes it forget where up is, the 12 volt disconnect trick is perfect for when you want to have to do the relearn again.
     
  11. EdwardD20

    EdwardD20 Junior Member

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    My bad. Sorry.
     
  12. kithmo

    kithmo Couch Potato

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    Have you tried all the way down and hold the button for 3-4 seconds then all the way up and hold ?
     
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  13. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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    It looks like Alan is right about that next page. Pay extra attention to the chicken dance described in the last bullet point.

    Screen Shot 2020-09-21 at 1.40.57 PM.png
     
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  14. EdwardD20

    EdwardD20 Junior Member

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    To me, the NEXT PAGE doesn't apply. It talks about When opening and closing the power window can't be done. In my case the windows does open and it does close. But ignoring the mis-leading title, there was a key phrase that I was missing, "the power switch of that door". When I was messing around yesterday, I was using the power switch on the driver's door, for the passenger door.

    When I sat in the passenger seat and tried again, it eventually worked. The first time the window went from 1/3 open to about 1" open. I did it a second time and now it closes properly.

    And for the record, disconnecting and reconnecting 12V did nothing to resolve the issue.

    Thanks to all for your assistance! Great team of helpers.
     
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  15. pianewman

    pianewman Active Member

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    Glad you solved your problem. My post (#2) wasn't clear, but that's what I was recommending. Been there, done that on other vehicles.