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weird connector with short cable originating from fuse box!??

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by FERENC KELLER, Apr 8, 2021.

  1. FERENC KELLER

    FERENC KELLER New Member

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    i just had some work done on my suspension 3 weeks ago and this morning i had to change a lightbulb and found this cable just hanging there!!! i was looking for the other end where it supposed to go but couldn’t find anything!!! can you guys tell me where does it connect??!!
     

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  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    looks pretty oem, but could be well done aftermarket. are you the original owner?

    any shots inside the fuse box?
     
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  3. Johnny Cakes

    Johnny Cakes Senior Member

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    Good call bisco. Three conductor? Odd. While it does look OEM, the wire leading to it looks a bit DIY.
     
  4. GabrielD

    GabrielD Member

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    You should check the wipers, could be the connector from wiper motor... see the green arrow in this picture...
    OEM connector has 5 fires, but in your case can be another motor...
     

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  5. GabrielD

    GabrielD Member

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    Here is a picture from my engine...
     

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  6. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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    Is it practical for you to take the car back to the shop that worked on your car three weeks ago? Show them the dangling connector and ask them to put it back the way it's supposed to be, probably under the windshield wiper cowling, as shown in the previous two pictures above.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
  7. StarCaller

    StarCaller Senior Member

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    @FERENC KELLER
    this^
    turn your wipers on, either they move or they don't /
    if they move, problem solved; if not, the time has come to dig deeper....
     
  8. FERENC KELLER

    FERENC KELLER New Member

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    i’ve had this car for 5 yrs and changed the light bulb many times and never seen this cable and connector hanging there like that!! the mechanic had to take the wiper motor out to get access to the struts but my wipers are working fine!! so he must have out everything back there.... weird! i confronted him and he said i need to book an appointment with him but he didn’t tell me what is it!!! i’ll go and speak to him in person because this is unacceptable and unprofessional!!! it might not connect to anything but it should have a holder or something!!
     
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  9. GabrielD

    GabrielD Member

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    #9 GabrielD, Apr 9, 2021
    Last edited: Apr 9, 2021
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  10. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    It might not go to anything. At least anything for your model. It is common to find plugs like that.
    But it be a good idea to take it back and have them check it out.
    If you run all your accessories and no codes or problems with the car, it could just be a connector
    for a feature you don't have.
     
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  11. mr_guy_mann

    mr_guy_mann Senior Member

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    When I look at that second picture I see an OE "blanking" plug (there are no wires coming out of it) . I think that the connector is for something that your car isn't equipped with, and Toyota put a plug on it to keep water and corrosion out.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
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  12. GabrielD

    GabrielD Member

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    Ferenc,
    Can you make more detailed pictures?
    I am curios where your wipers cable it is...
    Also, in case you have a code written on that connector, make a zoom picture.
    Useful to recognize is the color of wires too...
     
  13. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    It looks like a three-pin connector. I can see a blue and a white-with-black wire at the connector. I cannot make out a third wire there in the photo, but there is some red visible through the untaped part of the harness further up.
     
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  14. GabrielD

    GabrielD Member

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    In my manual most of the ground wires are white with black and Red are continuos +12V (BAT).
    Here is schematics from wipers... you can observe the 3 ones...
    I am thinking that someone took a connector with wires from another car, or could be from headlights washer, etc.
    The second picture is from rear wipers, but they use 2 same wire colors.

    Later edit:
    Ferenc, I am not sure, but this could be a serial that can help...
    Can you make a picture closer?
     

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    #14 GabrielD, Apr 10, 2021
    Last edited: Apr 10, 2021
  15. sLick415

    sLick415 Member

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    Here's what mine connects to. Not sure where the other end leads to. PXL_20210410_195120662.jpg
     
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  16. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    I bet you've got a US model with the steering on the left, correct? That's what I've got, and I have that two-pin connector there, which in our model is for the brake fluid level sensor.

    But the OP has a UK model with the steering on the right, and I'm sure the brake reservoir is over on the other side too, and the OP has a three-pin connector at this end. I liked the wiper-motor guess at first, except that the OP's wipers are working, and that's reportedly a five-pin connector anyway.

    This one does seem to be sealed off, as a known-unused option. It would still be interesting to know what option. The wiring diagram will explain all ... the question is just who will get around to looking there first.
     
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  17. sLick415

    sLick415 Member

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    You're right. I don't see his brake fluid reservoir. Good eye.
     
  18. GabrielD

    GabrielD Member

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    You can notice this also by wipers position...
    I found here another view of same engine compartment, and if you look closely (red arrow) you can see a similar cable going under the plastic cover, so I think the cable must be from wipers..
     

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  19. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    That would be a very satisfying guess, if the connector had five pins ... or if the OP's wipers didn't work.
     
  20. Johnny Cakes

    Johnny Cakes Senior Member

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    Yeah, the fact that everything works suggests it is for some option the OP doesn't have.
    Although I don't like that hypothesis given the cable flopping in plain view, its the only one that fits all the facts.