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Check Engine Light: Chewed Sensor Wire

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by Starbrand, Jan 12, 2017.

  1. Starbrand

    Starbrand Senior Member

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    engine light kept coming and going. one day it would be off, another day it would be on. apparently a rodent of some sort has found warmth underneath my car and decided to chew on the sensor cable. Any alternative fixes than getting dealership to replace($310 parts&labor)? I thought about just electric taping and getting some hard tubing to put around it. But not sure if that will fix my check engine light issue.

    any other solutions? any part number so I might be able to do it myself?
     
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    if you are sure that is the problem, you probably need to repair the wire. how much is the part, is it difficult diy?
     
  3. mrbigh

    mrbigh Prius Absolutum Dominium

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    electrical tape will do the job in a jiffy. You may try to install an spiral plastic loom around the length of the exposed green cable.
    Radio Shack used to carry the accessory.
     
    #3 mrbigh, Jan 12, 2017
    Last edited: Jan 12, 2017
  4. Lucifer

    Lucifer Senior Member

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    I park on top of an electric rodent gizmo, no mice wanted, actually two of them;)
     
  5. tankyuong

    tankyuong Senior Member

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  6. tankyuong

    tankyuong Senior Member

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    I would heat shrink tube it
     
  7. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    my thoughts exactly.
     
  8. Jimi1976

    Jimi1976 Active Member

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    I can repair cable blindfolded (have done such on dark stages and under cars....two totally different bit same industries).

    In all seriousness- it just needs to be spliced....about 70 seconds worth of work, literally. Find the wire and do it yourself. Don't pay a dealer hundreds for this
     
    #8 Jimi1976, Jan 13, 2017
    Last edited: Jan 13, 2017
  9. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    Might want to wrap the repair (and whatever nearby looks tempting) in some rodent tape.

    The trick is you have to judge what would look tempting if you were a rodent.

    -Chap
     
  10. GrGramps

    GrGramps Active Member

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    I have had similar problems and decided to reduce the mouse population. These traps are so much better than the simple little traps that have been around forever.



    They are easier to set and easy to release the remaining carcass.
     
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  11. mrbigh

    mrbigh Prius Absolutum Dominium

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    A moderate size heat shrink tubing for this need will not pass trough the Oxygen sensor, with such wide body.
     
  12. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    If you're getting a warning light I think there's a very likely one or more of the internal wires is broken or or seriously compromised. That needs to be remedied, say resoldered, perhaps some fresh wire to bridge gap, insulated, and the then the whole cable re-wrapped, and perhaps "hardened" against return visits by the vermin, lol. Is it easily disconnectable?

    How much was the labour, vs just the part, btw?
     
    #12 Mendel Leisk, Jan 13, 2017
    Last edited: Jan 13, 2017
  13. slewinson

    slewinson Junior Member

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    Replace the oxygen sensor - it is a ten minute job! Go to the Toyota dealer with the vin and the photo that you posted. The cable is part of the calibration and may cause other issues if spliced. That area also gets hot and a repair may not last or remain totally waterproof.

    Simon
     
  14. Neohippy

    Neohippy Active Member

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    You can buy O2 sensors a lot cheaper online then the dealer
     
  15. Bluegrassman

    Bluegrassman Active Member

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    What electronic device would this be?
     
  16. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Does the cable run into the oxygen sensor without a connector? I gather that's what you're saying, just curious.
     
  17. slewinson

    slewinson Junior Member

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    No, the oxygen sensor generally has a lead about 6-12 inches long with a connector on the end of it. Going by the picture this pigtail is what is damaged.

    Simon
     
  18. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Then why replace the sensor? Maybe the cable alone is not available?
     
  19. slewinson

    slewinson Junior Member

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    Brcause the pigtail is part of the sensor! Google images will assist you.

    Simon
     
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