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What is this "thing" under the cup holder???

Discussion in 'Prime Main Forum (2017-2022)' started by Salamander_King, Sep 8, 2020.

  1. Salamander_King

    Salamander_King Senior Member

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    During a course of "Piano Black Delete" project, I ended up removing the center console cup-holder plastic. There were total of 6 harnesses that I had to disconnect. Four of them I know what they are and what they do. One is a harness that is not being used on my LE trim but is intended for the Qi charger for upper trims. I have one more that is connected to something under the cup holder, but have no idea what it is and what it does.

    Any idea what the red circled part is? Anyone?
    IMG_20200907_130130.jpg
    Here is another photo after removing the wire. The brown case is attached to the bottom of the cup holder, but it has no external port or anything. It is not even visible from top.
    IMG_20200907_130758.jpg
     
    #1 Salamander_King, Sep 8, 2020
    Last edited: Sep 8, 2020
  2. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    Put me down for "smart key oscillator".
     
    #2 ChapmanF, Sep 8, 2020
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  3. Salamander_King

    Salamander_King Senior Member

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    Although I have a guess what it does, please educate me exactly what it does and how it works.

    Edit: I looked it up. Yap, that's what it is.

    TOYOTA OEM-Radio Antenna 899A060010
    upload_2020-9-8_14-3-8.png
     
    #3 Salamander_King, Sep 8, 2020
    Last edited: Sep 8, 2020
  4. illumiN8i

    illumiN8i Active Member

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    #4 illumiN8i, Sep 8, 2020
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  5. Salamander_King

    Salamander_King Senior Member

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    OK. Thanks guys. My part number was wrong but it looks very similar. So, it must be a SmartKey antenna. I wonder if this is powered? I currently have it disconnected. I guess that means I can not use my Smart Key.
     
    #5 Salamander_King, Sep 8, 2020
  6. Elektroingenieur

    Elektroingenieur Senior Member

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    This was the last mystery part, too. Next time, can we please have a different mystery part?
    There are several LF transmitting antennas inside the car. As long as your key can receive the signal from at least one of them, it will reply with the VHF signal needed for starting with the Smart Key system.
     
    #6 Elektroingenieur, Sep 8, 2020
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  7. Salamander_King

    Salamander_King Senior Member

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    LOL. Yeah, if I knew how to search an unknown parts I would have hit that thread before someone keyed in. ;)
     
    #7 Salamander_King, Sep 8, 2020
  8. Daisy81

    Daisy81 New Member

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    That makes sense. I recall the manual stating to put the key in the cup holder in the event the battery is dead and the car can not detect the key.
     
    #8 Daisy81, Sep 9, 2020
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  9. Elektroingenieur

    Elektroingenieur Senior Member

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    The Owner’s Manual (PDF, page 691) says to hold the key next to the power switch (power button) in that situation, so the RFID reader in the switch can detect the passive RFID tag in the key.
     
    #9 Elektroingenieur, Sep 9, 2020
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