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AC Knob-Bezzle broke Off - how can I replace myself?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by AishaT, May 19, 2012.

  1. AishaT

    AishaT Junior Member

    Joined:
    May 9, 2012
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    Location:
    Los Angeles
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    Hi There - First of all THANK YOU all for the info.. you have all saved me about $250 by doing my own 5K mile check; re-setting the indicator; replacing the interior filter AND impressing my Husband with my knowledge :cheer2:

    So, when I bought my car the part I will be attaching was a little loopy feeling.. but, the other day it came apart :( and I have absolutely NO idea how to put it back on. I do not know the correct name of this part - but it is the switch you use to direct the air flow inside of the car..

    So, I am attaching a pic - thanks so much.

    Teresa (Prius Love)
    Working Switch (1).jpg

    Missing Switch (2).jpg

    Parts (3).jpg
     
  2. spiderman

    spiderman wretched

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    Location:
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    Vehicle:
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    Welcome aboard. That might be a tough one as using glue might cause it not to slide to open/close if not done correctly. Gorilla glue is very good though if you can figure it out.
     
    1 person likes this.
  3. AishaT

    AishaT Junior Member

    Joined:
    May 9, 2012
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    Location:
    Los Angeles
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    It is actually trying to get the smaller part attached to the ac fan flipper thingy.. i cannot find a way to pull the silver thing out without breaking it :(
     
  4. spiderman

    spiderman wretched

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    It wouldn't hurt to drop by the dealership to see what they have to say... if you have a good shop foreman they may look at it for free.
     
  5. wick1ert

    wick1ert Senior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 3, 2009
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    Location:
    Delawhere
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    I just took a quick look at mine, and it appears that even glue wouldn't do the trick on this one. From what I can see, the diffuser lever (the part you move left/right/up/down) snaps into that other pieces, which is what moves the actual "fins" left/right inside that vent.

    My recommendation, would be a small piece of tape on the back of the piece that goes inside the vent section and try to get it into place (you can use a small poker/screw driver/etc to reach in and pull the tape through the top or bottom of the vent) and you should be able to put rearward pressure on the lever part to have it snap right into place.

    Another option, besides tape, would be to use a small cable tie to, and cut it down slightly to wedge it inside the little fins (I can't tell how wide they are, or if this would be a viable option), and that would allow you to get it into place.

    Otherwise, I'm not too sure what else might work. It looks like once that back piece is set into place right, you'd be able to put backward pressure on it. You might want to try to find a small piece of fabric or something to wedge inside the vent area, just in case you drop that back piece and it manages to align just right and fall inside the vent to where you can't reach it!
     
  6. adamace1

    adamace1 Senior Member

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    Location:
    Charlotte, NC
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Does the whole vent cover/fins snap in and out? You may have to buy one.