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2009 Corroded fuse block

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Audio and Electronics' started by Jessie Pinkman, Jun 16, 2019.

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  1. Jessie Pinkman

    Jessie Pinkman Junior Member

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    I'm new to the forum. I need some help. Just bought a 2009 Prius from a private party. There is a short in the headlights. A mechanic told me the fuse block is completely corroded and has signs of prior flood damage, even though the CarFax states there is no flood or any other damage and not a salvaged vehicle. This was dated shortly before I bought the car. My first question is, besides the headlights, does anyone know what other things on the car could be affected? Or is the damage all done and if anything else was to fail, it would have already? Second question, one mechanic said there is a way, (they don't do this kind of work), that the headlights could be rewired or bypassed to some other electrical source in order to work. (If that makes sense.)
     
    #1 Jessie Pinkman, Jun 16, 2019
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    welcome!
    is this the fuse box under the hood in front of the driver?
     
    #2 bisco, Jun 16, 2019
  3. Jessie Pinkman

    Jessie Pinkman Junior Member

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    I believe so....?
     
    #3 Jessie Pinkman, Jun 16, 2019
  4. exstudent

    exstudent Senior Member

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    Without seeing the car, I am inclined to believe the mechanic. He probably has lots of experience seeing corrosion due to water damage. Lots of storms with flooding and only a matter of time before those cars start showing up. You give the impression he is NOT trying to sell you anything and probably does NOT want to attempt to fix it b/c he knows flood damage will produce constant problems and is just not worth it.

    For corrosion to occur at the fuse box, inside the driver's panel (2ft-3ft) OR inside the engine compartment (4ft), that water level was high!

    Nothing in life is guaranteed but DEATH and TAXES!
    CarFax will NOT catch everything, even flood damage. Criminals know there are loop holes in various states that allow them to buy a salvaged car (flood, fire, accident), clean/fix it up, then register in a different State getting a CLEAN title, for the next unsuspecting victim, you! Sorry, this is the ugly reality. Flood damage can be easy to spot or hard to spot depending on how bad the damage was and/or how well the criminals cleaned it up. But a person with experience and/or training will be able to spot flood damage.

    That can be done, but then that headlight will no longer respond to the headlight switch: OFF, HIGH BEAM ON, HIGH BEAM Passing

    START your claim with CarFax! Good luck, and let us know how it turns out. Have heard horror stories of CarFax not paying despite clear evidence of Flood damage.

    FYI, do you know why insurance companies write off cars w/ flood damage? They don't want to take the liability of "repairing" such a car b/c no guarantee all the electronics and safety equipment like airbags will work correctly. Now insurance will be liable for any issues. Only a complete tear down and replacement with new parts will guarantee a safe vehicle, but that will cost more than the check insurance wrote to the owner.

    Contact member @strawbrad, MN Hybrid Battery – MN Hybrid Battery
    Maybe he can take a look or maybe knows someone who can absolutely confirm flood damage.

    Also you are relatively close to Steve at Autobeyours (Scottsburg, IN). His company properly repairs insurance write offs, and provides the purchaser a WARRANTY! If I had to buy a salvaged titled car, I would be comfortable buying one from Steve. Prius hybrids sales and service Scottsburg Indiana
     
    #4 exstudent, Jun 21, 2019
    Last edited: Jun 21, 2019
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