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What's Going On Inside the Gen II Overhead Console?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Rokeby, Feb 9, 2012.

  1. Rokeby

    Rokeby Member

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    Location:
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    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    I have noticed that on frosty mornings, I start out with the entire roof
    covered in a layer of frost. About 15 minutes into my drive there is a
    patch of melted frost on the roof right over the overhead console:
    Frost1.jpg

    At the end of by commute, ~25 min., 14 mi., the melted patch has
    gotten bigger:
    frost3.jpg

    So, what is going on inside/under/behind the console to cause this
    condition? None of the console lights are on. There is nothing in the
    door opener/sunglasses holder. Defrost used intermittently and only
    enough to keep windshield clear.

    Some kind of resistive heating? OK, but by what? I don't consider
    this a safety issue. I'd just like to know what's going on.

    FWIW, the same thing happens on the Yaris (same day, just happened
    to see this at 7-11):
    frost4.jpg
     

    Attached Files:

    #1 Rokeby, Feb 9, 2012
  2. Hal W

    Hal W New Member

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    Location:
    Grand Forks,B.C. Canada
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Model:
    II
    In the location of the sun-glass holder and map lights. Probably less insulation in that area in fact probably none. Try filling the sun-glass holder with insulation and see if it makes a difference. Hal
     
    #2 Hal W, Feb 9, 2012
    1 person likes this.
  3. Rokeby

    Rokeby Member

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    Hal,

    Thanks. I think that's a reasonable suspicion.
    But, here's new evidence to the contrary...

    Last night we had a light snowfall. Here's a pix of my
    car this morning. It sat out all night, and I haven't
    even touched the car -- snow on windshield -- never
    mind driven it yet today:

    Console.jpg

    See the melted snow spots above where the overhead
    console is? They match up with the pattern shown in the
    first pix in my OP. Something, probably electrical, is
    going on in there to cause that.

    What the heck could it be? :noidea:
     
    #3 Rokeby, Feb 11, 2012
  4. Hal W

    Hal W New Member

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    Model:
    II
    The snow is melting on the windshield as well. I still think it is lack of insulation? Hal
     
    #4 Hal W, Feb 11, 2012
  5. cnschult

    cnschult Active Member

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    My 'backup' prius i bought a few months back was purchased from someone who had used cheap summer windshield washer fluid, the front nozzles were frozen solid a few weeks ago but my rear washer fluid worked fine, obviously warm air from the cabin was warming the tube that carried the fluid through the roof. So I agree that warm air from the cabin can warm the roof, especially above the sunglass holder. Fortunately things warmed up, i sprayed the cheap stuff onto my car for 20 minutes and added good winter washer fluid and all is well.
     
    #5 cnschult, Feb 11, 2012
  6. Rokeby

    Rokeby Member

    Joined:
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    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Although it pains me to admit it... :brick:

    I can see now that I haven't done enough to rule out heating by
    way of air leaks into the console. I'm going to add some insulating
    material to the sunglasses holder, etc and see what happens on the
    next frosty morn...

    More info when the weather cooperates. :typing:
     
    #6 Rokeby, Feb 12, 2012
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