Electrical problems $4K to fix??

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by Johhhn, Oct 24, 2025 at 3:56 PM.

  1. Johhhn

    Johhhn Junior Member

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    Thank you, that's very helpful to know.
     
  2. Johhhn

    Johhhn Junior Member

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    yup and they do a lot of Prius work so they seem trustworthy (as do their reviews).
     
  3. Johhhn

    Johhhn Junior Member

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    The repair estimate says "Fuse Box: Replace corroded fuse box repair hard wiring".

    The symptom my friend mentioned is that it won't power on, won't jump start. I talked to them yesterday and car did live in Boston for at least 5 years- in case that makes a difference regarding snow/salt.

    I also talked with a Prius mechanic yesterday and they said you can get used harness and fuseboxes for around $1-200, which sounds much nicer than what I imagine they're charging for it? Hopefully will get something itemized next week to look at when I call the auto shop directly.

     
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  4. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    I would certainly check the hidden 125 amp fuse first.

    IMG_0391.jpeg IMG_0390.jpeg
     
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  5. BiomedO1

    BiomedO1 Senior Member

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    ^Yep, if the inverter pump shorted or any large current draw could pop that 125A fuse.

    why does the fuse box and wiring harness need replacement? Can't they get one from a wreck; because that isn't a normal failure item. Was there rats/mice infestation involved or did someone reverse polarity jump the car? If it was simply a reverse polarity jump - fuse replacements usually fixes it. That's literally the definition of a fuses JOB....... Are there visually melted wires?

    IMHO; I wouldn't get involved in something I can't see, hear, smell or diagnose - much less argue with someone over the phone while the guy is standing there looking at the car. That's the definition of a back seat driver or arm-chair quarterback.
     
    #25 BiomedO1, Oct 25, 2025 at 7:49 PM
    Last edited: Oct 25, 2025 at 8:01 PM
  6. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

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    Yeah I don't have a generation 3 here look at anymore. But I've removed fuse boxes out a 2 gen2. They much more modular than the 3 I guess . Wen flipped the Gen 3 do t allow you to literally unplug all the receptacles from it . Or something.
     
  7. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

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    Anybody got one of these fuse boxes out laying on the ground FLip over take back cover off if it has one . Pictures ?
     
  8. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    Spend enough time disassembling and removing the modules that are removable and you kind of get to this:

    [​IMG]

    (out of the frame are four other relay-socket modules that come apart from this big one but still are direct-wired parts of the harness).

    It's looking like if you really wanted to replace a fusebox and not the whole harness assembly you wouldn't have to make more than 70 splices maybe. Doesn't sound like a job I'd want (and I wouldn't be sure 70 splices would fit back in the enclosure).

    Alternatively, it's clear that at the factory they crimp the fuse terminals onto those wires and click them into the right positions here. If you feel your terminal-extraction-fu is strong, you could consider extracting them all and clicking them into the right positions of another fusebox. But I guess if corrosion of the original terminals was the problem, that wouldn't be such a promising idea.
     

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