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Any way to clean a dirty combination meter?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by HDuncan, Apr 19, 2015.

  1. HDuncan

    HDuncan Member

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    I just got a 2006 and the combination meter seems all gross compared to my girlfriends 2005.... Any ideas what causes this blurry look?

    Also, any ideas about that opaque black spot that's obscuring the odometer?

    2006:
    image.jpg


    2005:
    image.jpg
     
  2. Britprius

    Britprius Senior Member

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    Below the combination meter display is a glass plate this is where the dirt is. The display you are looking at (and pictured) is nothing more than a mirror. Turn the display on and slide your hand across the top of the dashboard towards the display and you will see what I mean.

    John (Britprius)
     
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  3. HDuncan

    HDuncan Member

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    I gave it a good wipe down with windex and that definitely helped, but the black stuff appears to have been the result of projectile nail polish? It feels raised. Can I use nail polish remover on this clear plastic, or will that fog it up?
     
  4. 69shovlhed

    69shovlhed Surly tree hugger

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    it'll melt some plastic; I wouldn't risk it. maybe you can get a fingernail under it and scrape it off?
     
  5. dolj

    dolj Senior Member

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    You could try other cleaners that are suitable for plastics.

    Also, you did clean the mirror as well, didn't you?
     
  6. Mike500

    Mike500 Senior Member

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    Replace the "glass." It's about $40 at the dealer.
     
  7. HDuncan

    HDuncan Member

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    I did give the mirror a wipe down. The black stuff is the main issue at this point and is definitely on the plastic lens.. theres a little on the dash as well, leading up to the lens.

    I have most of my dash apart already trying to fix other little things and clean the dust out of all the recesses... Rude person's, you're saying the part itself is $40? Is it something I could find cheaper elsewhere, or make myself out of something? or is it a fairly complicated part?
     
  8. Mike500

    Mike500 Senior Member

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    It would be very difficult to make one. The lens is injection molded from acrylic (Plexiglas or Perspex) plastic. Just think like what it takes to mold the one piece safety glasses like those made by 3M. An injection mold would cost $30,000 to $50,000+ to make. Toyota could only afford it, because they make millions of vehicles to biing down the cost.

    As I see from the Toyota parts catalog, there are three versions for the 2005 Prius. Most likely, they are special order.

    I would first take out the lens and try to remove the spot with a mild polishing compound followed by a plexiglas polishing compound sold at aircraft, watercraft or motorcycle dealers. But the two compound would cost you near $20 already, For me, I'd bite the bullet and just get a new lens.
     
    #8 Mike500, Apr 21, 2015
    Last edited: Apr 21, 2015
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  9. andrewclaus

    andrewclaus Active Member

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    Here are directions for taking apart the rest of the dash. I've done it a couple of times--the first time took nearly two hours, the second time about a half hour. And if you take it all apart, you may see the problem more clearly and be able to fix it. Here's a video, too. Good luck.
     
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  10. HDuncan

    HDuncan Member

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    You are right. $20 for the compound, and probably another hour of my time (being very conservative). It would be better to have a fresh piece. right on.
     
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  11. HDuncan

    HDuncan Member

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    I was searching for that video -- SOOOO HELPFUL. Thanks for the link!!!
     
  12. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    whatever you do, don't clean plastic with fingernail polish remover.....that is acetone.
     
  13. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    I suggest tryiing the polish intended for restoring yellowing and hazy plastic headlight lenses, especially if you have determined it is possible to purchase a replacement plastic window at a reasonable price if this should fail.
     
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  14. HDuncan

    HDuncan Member

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    Can anyone tell me if the lens part number is in this diagram?
    image.jpg
     
  15. Mike500

    Mike500 Senior Member

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    Are you referring to the Item #83857? That part number is 8385747100 .

    Toyota refers to it as a "reflector."
     
  16. andrewclaus

    andrewclaus Active Member

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    The only optical part I can see in that diagram is 83857, the reflector. I don't think that's your problem. It's been a while since I had mine apart, but there may be clear plate as part of the large case, part 83182, or maybe on the dashboard itself.
     
  17. Mike500

    Mike500 Senior Member

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    The image doesn't completely load, but there is a "cover" for the computer part #8329147320.
    The "cover" is Part #8382347100.

    Overal, there are three(3) different combinations of meters and cases for the 2005 Gen III Prius.

    The "reflector" is the same for ALL three, however.
     
  18. HDuncan

    HDuncan Member

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    So 83857 is the "reflector" the part everyone has been saying to replace or clean?

    Despite the name, it doesn't actually reflect, but rather protects the actual combination meters display/projector surface?
     
  19. Mike500

    Mike500 Senior Member

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    There is a variation in other parts of the display in the option catalogue, but this part is the same for ALL Gen II models.
     
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  20. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    I suggest that the OP needs to determine whether the dirt is on the vertical transparent surface which is visible to the driver when seated; or the dirt is actually on the horizontal surface which can only be seen from outside the car standing near the driver's door, looking onto the dashboard. Once he is clear about that then it would be easier to determine what replacement part he should look for in the event cleaning is not effective.
     
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