Poorly designed jump start terminals?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Audio and Electronics' started by macevhicz, Jan 20, 2011.

  1. macevhicz

    macevhicz Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jan 5, 2011
    6
    2
    0
    Location:
    Los Angeles
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Is it just me, or is the dedicated jump start terminal (on a 2005 Prius) poorly designed?

    In my experience, it's hard to attach jumper cables... The bolt is recessed a bit, and therefore it's hard to fit jumper cables in there in order to attach to the bolt. To get in to the recessed area, I tried a set of cables with a flange that extends beyond the normal clamps, but it had notches for a normal size post, so it wouldn't attach to that little bolt...

    Seems kinda silly to have a dedicated jump-start port that doesn't accept average jumper cables... Does Toyota sell some special Prius jumper cables or something?

    Anyone else also have trouble fitting jumper cables onto that jump-start port?
     
    #1 macevhicz, Jan 20, 2011
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    101,918
    46,240
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    yes.
     
    #2 bisco, Jan 20, 2011
  3. pEEf

    pEEf Engineer - EV nut

    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2010
    720
    574
    3
    Location:
    Berkeley, CA
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    You aren't supposed to attach to the stud, if you look closely above it, you will notice a tab, clamp to this instead:

    [​IMG]
     
    #3 pEEf, Jan 20, 2011
    3 people like this.
  4. DetPrius

    DetPrius Active Member

    Joined:
    Apr 24, 2009
    545
    92
    0
    Location:
    Southeast Michigan
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    I think I saw someone suggest keeping an appropriately sized alligator clip in the car that essentially extends the tab to give you something better to clamp the jumper cable onto.
     
    #4 DetPrius, Jan 20, 2011
  5. macevhicz

    macevhicz Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jan 5, 2011
    6
    2
    0
    Location:
    Los Angeles
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Hmm, well, that would do it! I just never noticed that tab... Something about flipping over that cover made me feel the thing to connect to is the bolt. That tab makes more sense.

    Thank you!
     
    #5 macevhicz, Jan 21, 2011
  6. pEEf

    pEEf Engineer - EV nut

    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2010
    720
    574
    3
    Location:
    Berkeley, CA
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Yeah, it's easy to not notice the tab at first. I didn't notice it until I took the nut off to add the wire shown in the picture!
     
    #6 pEEf, Jan 21, 2011
  7. Hal W

    Hal W New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 26, 2010
    872
    53
    0
    Location:
    Grand Forks,B.C. Canada
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Model:
    II
    I am missing the red cover, Wasn't there when I purchased the car. I hope Toyota stocks them? Hal
     
    #7 Hal W, Jan 21, 2011
  8. pEEf

    pEEf Engineer - EV nut

    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2010
    720
    574
    3
    Location:
    Berkeley, CA
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    You don't need the cover, it's probably just there because of the liability lawyers. As long as you have the main cover on it, everything is safe.
     
    #8 pEEf, Jan 21, 2011
    1 person likes this.
  9. Boo

    Boo Boola Boola Member

    Joined:
    Feb 13, 2007
    5,051
    479
    97
    Location:
    Flushing, NY
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Yes, it's the upright square tab that's the positive connection point.

    But you might still have trouble getting a standard jumper clamp on that thing. So a little electrical alligator clip would still be useful.

    [IMGLINK]http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31A7EHMMQXL._SL500_AA300_.gif[/IMGLINK]
     
    #9 Boo, Jan 21, 2011
  10. pEEf

    pEEf Engineer - EV nut

    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2010
    720
    574
    3
    Location:
    Berkeley, CA
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Just be careful if you go this route, as it could slip off and then ground against something.
     
    #10 pEEf, Jan 21, 2011
    1 person likes this.
  11. boppo

    boppo Active Member

    Joined:
    Mar 11, 2009
    799
    138
    0
    Location:
    Owego, NY
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Model:
    II
    I have some motorcycle jumper cables that work great.
     
    #11 boppo, Jan 21, 2011
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)
Loading...
Similar Threads - Poorly designed jump
  1. Chiefblue86

    Jump-Starting another vehicle with my 2005 Prius

    Chiefblue86, Nov 26, 2022, in forum: Gen 2 Prius Audio and Electronics
    Replies:
    5
    Views:
    908
    ChapmanF
    Nov 27, 2022
  2. wrothgar

    new after market stereo, poor am reception?

    wrothgar, Aug 28, 2014, in forum: Gen 2 Prius Audio and Electronics
    Replies:
    2
    Views:
    1,339
    wrothgar
    Aug 29, 2014
  3. 2010_Prius_Owner

    Poor FM reception

    2010_Prius_Owner, Nov 5, 2009, in forum: Gen 2 Prius Audio and Electronics
    Replies:
    1
    Views:
    1,523
    ggood
    Nov 5, 2009
  4. aaronlife

    Any New Info on Poor FM Radio Reception?

    aaronlife, Aug 6, 2008, in forum: Gen 2 Prius Audio and Electronics
    Replies:
    9
    Views:
    6,667
    gbbari
    Oct 18, 2008
  5. mypineprius

    Poor Treatment/answer From Toyota Customer Care?

    mypineprius, Feb 8, 2008, in forum: Gen 2 Prius Audio and Electronics
    Replies:
    10
    Views:
    3,485
    9G-man
    Feb 10, 2008