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Fire Sale

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by DGH, Mar 10, 2014.

  1. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    LOL that would be funny
     
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  2. FreydNot

    FreydNot Member

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    If you had navigation, I'd bet the DVD under the drivers seat could be worth something to someone.
     
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  3. DGH

    DGH Thread Terminator

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    It's an eight year old map, you want to buy it?
     
  4. DGH

    DGH Thread Terminator

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    So moving on, I am looking for advice on the odds that it was the block heater.
    If there was an issue with it why did the circuit breaker not trip?

    Thanks,

    Dan
     
  5. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    Very sorry to hear about your loss. Glad there was no damage caused to your home or your family.

    What did the firemen have to say about the fire's cause?
    Is an investigator from your auto insurance company going to look at the car?
    Will you receive a report that attributes the fire to a specific cause?

    If the problem was with the wiring to the block heater, you would have to construct a scenario that allowed the wiring to heat up and catch fire without tripping the circuit breaker.

    Typically the breaker will allow 15A of current to flow continuously. At 120VAC, that is 1,800W of power that can be delivered which is more than a hair dryer requires to operate.
     
  6. DGH

    DGH Thread Terminator

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    Thanks for checking in Patrick.
    Firemen did not give a reason, not sure if they will issue a report but I will find out.
    The investigator is due this morning.

    Thanks,

    Dan
     
  7. DGH

    DGH Thread Terminator

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    Update, fire chief unsure of cause, insurance people don't care about cause.
    Going to call Toyota to see if they are interested.
    Bought a 2008 loaded touring with 70000 for 11900.00 today with remainder of Toyota certified warranty.

    And so we move on!

    Dan
     
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  8. MarcSmith

    MarcSmith Active Member

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    dan, were you able to get in to the "new" 2008 for no out pocket?

    IE did your En Fuego 2008 hold its value from an insurance point of view...
     
  9. PriusGuy32

    PriusGuy32 Prius Driver Extraordinaire

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    Glad you found a new Prius so quick! Sounds like a nice one too....

    Question: What did I read about a DVD under the drivers seat?? I have Navigation and the people I bought it from gave me the updated NAV disc. I just assumed they had already inserted into the 6 disc changer and it applied the updates - at least thats how my last vehicle worked (GM). Am I supposed to have inserted the DVD under the seat or something?!
     
  10. DGH

    DGH Thread Terminator

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    No, not an even swap, went from 2006 to 2008 and from 180000 miles to 70000.
    Insurance offered me about $8600 on the old fireball.

    Thanks,

    Dan
     
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  11. DGH

    DGH Thread Terminator

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    Your nav unit is under the seat and that is where the disc is inserted. I never bothered with an update so I am unsure of the install process. I know the process can be found here with a search.

    Thanks,

    Dan
     
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  12. PriusGuy32

    PriusGuy32 Prius Driver Extraordinaire

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    SHUT UP :eek: Oh brother... I feel like such a fartknocker, I've had the newer updated NAV disc from the last owners since I bought the car, I just figured... what do I need this for?? I thought it was like my GM vehicles - you insert the update disc into the CD changer on the dash, it uploads the new data, spits the disc out when its finished and then you never need the disc again.

    Guess tomorrow I will insert my new NAV disc under the seat :confused: ((smacks forehead))
     
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  13. DadofHedgehog

    DadofHedgehog Active Member

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    Your story just motivated me to check my EBH seating, wire run etc. the next time I change the oil. I used it like there was no tomorrow all Winter.

    Regrets about the car.
     
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  14. DGH

    DGH Thread Terminator

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    Thanks, all good here!
    I used mine like clockwork too almost eight years, and then.
    I'm not sure I can blame the EBH at this point but a check over sounds like a great idea

    Regards,

    Dan
     
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  15. FreydNot

    FreydNot Member

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    I was thinking if it were newer, someone out there might be interested. They are very expensive to purchase new.
    Also, it's very easy to remove (assuming the car has 12 volts).
     
  16. DGH

    DGH Thread Terminator

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    Yeah ridiculous pricing along with mediocre performance is why I never updated.
    Thanks for the tip though. Insurance does not want me to remove anything plus everything in and around it reeks of burnt plastic.

    Regards,

    Dan
     
  17. Agent J

    Agent J Hypoliterian

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    Glad everyone's safe. I use mine all year long and this is my 2nd EBH. The first one had that cord problem near the plug but was able to mend it. However, in Dec '13, after packing the pressure washer, I plugged in the EBH into the live 220V cord where I usually have it at 110V via the step-down transformer (220V down here in OZ). I only realized it about 5 mins later when I was back in the laundry where the power comes from. I quickly turned it off and turned over to 110V. True enough, the EBH was no longer registering on the power meter. So I basically fried it. I ran over to the car to see/smell any signs of burning -- none. What a relief. I checked the wires for any signs of damage especially on the mended plug area -- none.

    So when my new EBH arrived, I had a quick 10sec test and boy did it get very hot quickly! When I removed the old one, it was quite dirty/sooty and only little of the grease was left. I didn't bother using the new wiring even though it's been improved from the old one with extended heat shielding. Now it got me thinking maybe I should have.. although I made sure that the old one didn't touch any potential hotspots near the block.

    I guess it really is a good idea to check that area periodically for any burning potential. Burning has always been at the back of my head ever since that cord problem. So I before I go to bed, always check the plug that it's not totally bent when connected.

    Just curious, where/how did you run the wiring? Are you still able to take photos on top and underneath the car?
     
  18. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    The one photo posted by Dan appears to show that the leading edge of the aluminum hood had melted away, which would lend some weight to the theory that the block heater cord had a short and caught on fire near the point that the cord entered the hood area.
     
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  19. Agent J

    Agent J Hypoliterian

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    Great eye Patrick! That could be it. Even though the neck of the plug looks okay, the damage is underneath where the copper wire is severed already and possibly shorting or arcing from the inside.

    When I had that problem initially, I could see intermittent on and off states depending on how the neck is positioned. At first I thought it was the US/AUS adapter I was using and tried several ones. But it eventually led me to the weak point just before the neck of the plug where there is no support.

    I strongly suggest supporting that entire part to make sure it doesn't bend every time it's plugged in. Or better yet, replace that entire section with a new plug and support with really thick electrical tape for support. I think I still have the old plug but didn't have the time to splice it open and look for the exact point where it got severed.
     
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  20. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    I've always lived in moderate-winter climate locations (Honolulu, San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles/Orange County, now southern Arizona) and have to admit that I have not really understood the need to use an electric block heater unless you live in some place like Alaska where the engine really will refuse to turn over unless it is kept somewhat warm. Yes, I recognize that mpg can be improved via the use of an EBH but that has always seemed like too much trouble to me, to on a daily basis plug and unplug the EBH.

    May I suggest that the EBH was intended only for use during one season out of the year, and if it instead is used 365 days per year then careful attention needs to be paid to the wiring.
     
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