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Hi all, new Prius C owner

Discussion in 'Prius c Main Forum' started by farmecologist, Jun 27, 2021.

  1. Leadfoot J. McCoalroller

    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller Senior Member

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    It may not be on the stereo harness. It will be available in the dashboard/driver's side area, but let's not assume that they actually routed it into the head unit for a 2012, so you may need to pick it up closer to the fusebox. An extension branch of it is often found in the overhead console area to support an optional auto-dim mirror. The Crutchfield people ought to be able to help you with this, but worst case you can rent the interactive wiring diagram from Toyota.

    I don't recall the lights on the aswc ever coming on for me, but I might not have looked. I ordered one pre-programmed for a Toyota and it worked on the first try, so I never did a deep dive.

    Cable above the headliner and down the left A-pillar is nearly universal for hatchback installation. With a fiberglass electrician's fishing pole it's really not bad unless the car has a sunroof to go around.
     
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  2. farmecologist

    farmecologist Senior Member

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    At this point I'm pretty sure they didn't route a "reverse signal input" wire to the head unit for the 2012 TWO model...because it only has a basic radio. Makes sense...no reason to when no backup camera, etc... exists. (y)

    I have the AXWC-1 steering wheel controller. The directions specifically state that the LED should be on. Combined with the fact that it doesn't work...I think "it's dead, Jim". :whistle:

    The antenna has me a bit stumped. Probably similar to the "reverse signal input" wire issue where the wiring is different on the models with a basic radio. I tried splicing into what I think is the antenna wire on the main harness....but no luck.

    Any idea where I can get the wiring diagram? It's probably lurking around here somewhere too I guess. (y)
     
  3. Leadfoot J. McCoalroller

    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller Senior Member

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    I would expect the antenna wire to be the only wire on its own modular plug, and the wire itself would be small-gauge coaxial cable, a little thicker and stiffer than all the insulated single-conductor wire used in all the other connectors.

    Most aftermarket decks have an old-style Motorola female antenna connector, and you generally just need a pigtail that adapts * to Motorola male.

    The electronic wiring diagram can be rented from Toyota. $20-something for a few days access. I found it to be very helpful when I did my dashcam project.

    It is possible that somebody saved a hot copy of it without any of the helpful interactive features, but you're on your own there.
     
  4. farmecologist

    farmecologist Senior Member

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    I called Crutchfield and they were a great help!
    • They are sending me out a replacement AXWC-1 steering wheel controller. Tech support agreed it was DOA...especially since I verified that 12V is present on the harness that plugs into the unit.
    • For the "reverse signal input" wire, they said to look for a 36 pin wiring harness behind the drivers side "knee panel" area labeled "3D". And then tap into pin #29...which should be a brown wire. I also found a PriusChat thread with a link to a PDF that seems to corroborate what Crutchfield said ( 2014 Prius C One reverse camera cable knee panel | PriusChat ).

    • As far as the antenna goes...I completely screwed up. An antenna harness *does* exist....but fell down so I couldn't easily see it. Boy...I sure felt like an idiot on that one. (y) Sure enough...the wiring harness they sent works just dandy now that I actually found a place to plug it in. :whistle:
    I was also able to route the backup camera cable all the way to the head unit...with about 6 inches of wire to spare. I ended up going through the hatch, then above the headliner to the drivers side door, then followed the bottom door moldings and then up behind the steering wheel to the head unit. I decided NOT to go the A pillar route because I didn't want to disturb the airbags. The backup camera is all connected and works great ( minus the "reverse signal input" wire hookup ).
     
    #44 farmecologist, Jul 11, 2021
    Last edited: Jul 11, 2021
  5. farmecologist

    farmecologist Senior Member

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    Well...tapping into the brown pin #29 wire on the '3D' harness on the drivers side "knee panel" didn't seem to work as the 12V "reverse signal input" wire....sigh ( see bullet #2 in the previous post above ).

    Reading other threads, it seems many gave up on what I tried to do and instead ran a wire out to the reverse light itself to use as the "reverse signal input" on their head unit.

    So I went ahead and pulled another wire back to the hatch area. I intend to tap into the 12V wire of the reverse light and will use that as the 12V "reverse signal input" wire. Not sure what the easiest way to do that is though....any ideas?

    This head unit project is driving me looney...but I'm determined to get the head unit to automatically show the backup camera when in reverse. o_O
     
  6. Leadfoot J. McCoalroller

    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller Senior Member

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    Have you metered that brown wire? does it give voltage when you select reverse, or possibly does it gain continuity with ground? More than one way of sending a signal...

    If you do go for the reverse lamp power, you could take your wire from the rear headliner and run it down the D pillar to meet the lamp cluster.

    Or you could figure out what's feeding that, possibly get it at the same knee location?
     
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  7. farmecologist

    farmecologist Senior Member

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    I gave up on the knee location...figured routing a wire back to the rear lamp cluster is 'easier', for better or worse, since I had already ran the wire for the backup camera and had most of the trim pieces out anyway. (y) I just need to figure out how to remove the 'deck trim side panel' to get access to the rear lamp cluster wires ( I think that is the proper one to remove...correct )?

    Looks like this post points to a nifty PDF that shows how to remove the trim :

    Rearview Camera | Page 6 | PriusChat
     
  8. farmecologist

    farmecologist Senior Member

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    I finally got the 12V "reverse signal input" wire on the head unit working by tapping the red/blue wire on the drivers side reverse light harness. The reverse camera now comes on automatically when I put the car into reverse. I can also view the camera on demand at any time via a button on the head unit.

    The only tricky part was removing the 'deck trim side panel assembly'...but the PDF linked by the post above had a good picture on how to remove it :

    upload_2021-7-12_21-37-5.png
    Leaving a couple pics of the install here for posterity :

    upload_2021-7-12_21-27-7.png upload_2021-7-12_21-27-50.png
     
  9. farmecologist

    farmecologist Senior Member

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    I finished up the install...and it's alive! The song playing is fitting...the install has taken waaaaaaay longer than anticipated.

    upload_2021-7-13_22-28-32.png upload_2021-7-13_22-29-54.png


    Everything seems to work. However, I still need to install the replacement AXWC-1 steering wheel controller when it arrives tomorrow. (y)

    The sound is really quite impressive as well...even with the stock speakers. Affordable car stereos have come a LONG way since I installed one in our Mazda MPV way back when.
     
  10. farmecologist

    farmecologist Senior Member

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    Anyone know of a a good ' clear sticker' type hood protector for the Prius c? Our Prius v came with it on and I like it. However, I can't seem to find one anywhere.

    Edit : Poked around some on here and the other internets and ended up going with 'invisiblemask' :
     
    #50 farmecologist, Jul 14, 2021
    Last edited: Jul 14, 2021
  11. Meezo

    Meezo New Member

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    4Wheelonline is having a sale on their tire and wheel packages, which I just noticed. They provide free shipping as well as discounted prices on well-known brands. Are there any suggestions for my 2016 Toyota Prius C?
     
  12. Steve Lees

    Steve Lees Junior Member

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    I’m a little late on this thread, but I’ll throw in my two cents. I bought the Weathertech liners for my 2013 c, and they fit perfectly.

    Interesting discussion on the brakes. I now have 135k on mine, and they are original. We have to do an annual inspection here in PA, and I always ask the shop owner if the brakes need to be replaced yet. Every year he tells me “no, you’ve got 85% left.” I feel like I should do it because it’s 8 years old.
     
  13. farmecologist

    farmecologist Senior Member

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    Does your mechanic check the sliding pins on the front disc caliper bracket? That is often where the system goes bad...even if you still have pad left. And ironically, they go bad because the pads on the Prius last so long.

    On our 2010 Prius, I had a rear caliper where one of the the caliper pins was rusted into the socket so bad it literally wouldn't come loose even with tremendous pressure. I ended up breaking the pin head off trying to remove it and had to buy a new caliper bracket!

    Anyways...something you probably want to have done at some point. Or do it yourself! There are lots of videos out there on how to do it. (y)
     
  14. farmecologist

    farmecologist Senior Member

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    Thought I'd update. The Prius C is now 'out in the wilds of Minneapolis' and is being driven by my daughter. She is impressed at the MPG...she was excited to get 55MPG! (y)
     
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  15. farmecologist

    farmecologist Senior Member

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    Hi all,

    I'm trying to locate a set of steel rims for a set of snow tires. Seems like snow tires would bet the safest bet for my daughter driving everyday in Minneapolis over the winter.

    My first thought is to have the snows mounted on a set of steel rims...and I would just bolt them on myself.

    However, that got me thinking about the dreaded TPMS sensors. I'd like to leave the current tires as-is. So the obvious question is...what to do about TPMS on the snow tires, how to switch back and forth, etc...

    I'm not too well versed in snow tires, etc...as we have always just went with 'good' all seasons.

    Any ideas? Any help would be appreciated.

    Thanks!
     
  16. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Are TPMS sensors mandatory in your State, ie: would you fail an annual inspection due to TPMS light being on. If not (or if the inspection's in summer...), just forgo the sensors?
     
  17. farmecologist

    farmecologist Senior Member

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    True...our state doesn't have inspections...so having the light on wouldn't be a big deal. However, this is my daughter driving it...and she isn't the type to check this stuff....but would notice if a light was on. But maybe now is the time to strongly encourage her to keep tabs on tire pressure. (y)

    Auto shops like Costco must have a procedure for this...don't they? Heck...they only deal with tires. Seems like a big 'missing link' in their business model if they don't handle TPMS sensors while mounting a set of snow tires? BTW - Costco DID say I could bring in a set of rims and they would mount the tires. However, they said nothing about TPMS sensors...and I didn't think to ask at the time. I'll have to call again.

    Edit : Costco will install the sensors for an extra fee ( around $30-$40 for each tire ).
     
    #57 farmecologist, Sep 26, 2021
    Last edited: Sep 26, 2021
  18. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Costco can handle TPMS sensor install I think. There's a few wrinkles though:

    1. Purchasing 4 extra, Toyota sensors, will likely set you back as much as the rims.

    2. Each swap between the all-seasons and snows will require dealership or third party intervention, to reintroduce the other set of sensors to the car, which kinda negates the DIY aspect of snow tires on separate rims. Dealership would likely charge $75~100 for this, each time? Or you can do a fair bit of reading up, and investment in the appropriate gizmos ($100~300?), to DIY the introduction.*

    When I got our mounted snows in fall 2010, it was funny: the service guy asked if I wanted extra sensors, while emphatically shaking his head no...

    * Funny thing is: with Mazda, swapping between all-seasons and snows, on separate rims with sensors, all you need to do is drive a few minutes, in a certain speed range, and the car automatically recognizes the different sensors. And, last time I checked the official Mazda sensors were around $30 CDN apiece.
     
    #58 Mendel Leisk, Sep 26, 2021
    Last edited: Sep 26, 2021
  19. farmecologist

    farmecologist Senior Member

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    Costco will install the sensors for an extra fee ( around $30-$40 for each tire - also edited my post above ).

    Yeah..if it were me, I'd just go ahead and not get the TPMS sensors on the snow set. However, since it is my daughter driving...I think I might want her to have them. There has got to be a DIY way to 'reset' the sensors yourself...given the right gadget, of course. (n)
     
  20. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    There's a number of members here that are knowledgeable about what gizmos are needed (my mind's a blank though); hopefully some will chime in.