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Fuse Question

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Graz, Feb 22, 2008.

  1. Graz

    Graz Member

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    Hey Priusites!

    No Not Parasites. Priusites.

    I have one of those air compressors that plugs into the ACC port under the dash or in the center console. First the under dash lost power. Then the one in the center console. Being the technical type I am, I assumed fuses.

    The owners manual does such a great job of identifying what fuse are where, I inadvertently removed power to the mileage computer and reset my mileage. I eventually found two blown 15 AMP fuses under by the drivers left knee.

    I replaced one with the spare I found under the hood. Unfortunately, I still had no power. I bought two more 15 AMP fuses and replaced the other one. Still no power to my ACC ports.

    Anyone have any idea what is going on? Where else could I check? What am I missing?

    I miss being able to charge my cell phone in the center console. I now recognize that my air compressor probably draws too much power to use in my ACC ports. So I'll probably buy another one that plugs into my garage.

    Any assistance is appreciated!
     
    #1 Graz, Feb 22, 2008
  2. lenjack

    lenjack Active Member

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    I believe these outlets are "switched", meaning they are not live unless the ignition is swtched on.
     
    #2 lenjack, Feb 22, 2008
  3. Graz

    Graz Member

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    Yes I understand. I tested them WITH the ignition on.
     
    #3 Graz, Feb 22, 2008
  4. Ichabod

    Ichabod Artist In Residence

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    I hope you're kidding about that. I don't remember seeing anything about fuses in the manual! :D

    There are 2 fuse panels, the one under the drivers side dash, and the one in the engine bay. I guess you could pull ALL of those and inspect them visually... It's pretty easy to tell if one is burnt, as I discovered with a little help a while back (oops! :) ).

    You can also get the Prius service manuals, which would show you more of what you need, at Toyota techinfo: https://techinfo.toyota.com for a pretty reasonable price.

    My question to you is this: if you ran a device from one of your car's DC outlets and that blew a fuse, why would you then plug it into the next outlet? ;)
     
    #4 Ichabod, Feb 22, 2008
  5. Graz

    Graz Member

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    Because I AM A STOOGE!
    There I said it. We can all move on now.
     
    #5 Graz, Feb 22, 2008
  6. Ichabod

    Ichabod Artist In Residence

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    No more stoogey than me. I blew a fuse by shorting wires while installing something... The sad part is that I intentionally shorted the wires, but for some reason was surprised when the fuse blew. :loco:

    I hope you've also discovered the little white clippy-thing that's in the engine-bay fuse box... it's a fuse puller that makes it really easy to pull and insert fuses.

    p.s. if you need to replace any fuses for which there aren't spares in the engine-bay fuse box (e.g. the 7.5A ones and some others) then the only place to get the correct replacements is from a Toyota dealer... they're slightly different than the more common ones you can find in auto-parts stores.
     
    #6 Ichabod, Feb 22, 2008
  7. Graz

    Graz Member

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    Yes. I checked the fuses at at least two auto parts stores. They had similar, but different fuses. I bought two 15 amp fuses at Toyota for $.99 each + tax. (I felt raped).

    I found the little white clippy thing in the engine compartment fuse box. It is handy. But it didn't really help when I was kneeling on the floor of my garage, bent upside down to read the fuse box slot numbers with a flashlight in one hand while adjusting my bi-focals with the other. How come we weren't born with an extra arm anyway?

    I have replaced all of my faulty fuses and turned the car on and STILL I have NO POWER to these AUX ports in the cabin. All of you have been helpful, if not somewhat entertaining. However... I havn't found a solution YET.

    Any more ideas out there in Cyberland?
     
    #7 Graz, Feb 25, 2008
  8. Ichabod

    Ichabod Artist In Residence

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    Well, short of pulling wiring diagrams from Toyota techinfo and going through your car with a voltmeter looking for the source of the failure, I don't have any ideas. But I'm no genius... in that area, so I'm probably overlooking something simpler... like maybe the device you're plugging in has its own [blown] fuse or reset switch... test it in another vehicle. :rolleyes:
     
    #8 Ichabod, Feb 25, 2008
  9. Michou

    Michou Member

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    Graz,

    The shop I work in has had two separate incidents where the owners have complained of the very same issue, they plug in a cell phone charger, or iPod and the 15 amp fuse for the acc power outlets blow. One has replaced 3 15 amp fuses in the last 2 months. Both parties have been using regular devices drawing no where near 15 amps.

    I am currently working to determine what the cause and fix are and would be happy to post my findings as soon as I figure it out. If you happen to figure it out before I do, I'd love to know.

    Best,

    Michou
     
    #9 Michou, Mar 13, 2008
  10. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    What were the names of the fuses that you replaced?

    I don't have a 2G wiring diagram, but I do have a Classic diagram. It shows that the auxiliary power port receives power from the 15A CIG fuse, which then receives power from the ACC relay. That same relay also provides power to the side mirrors.

    As Ichabod suggested, it might be time to obtain the specific wiring diagram for your vehicle if you are serious about fixing the problem.
     
    #10 Patrick Wong, Mar 13, 2008
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