Might have rodent damage to wires. a question

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by Steve Howey, Mar 9, 2025.

  1. Steve Howey

    Steve Howey New Member

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    2009 Prius. I am looking up from under the car, the oil filter is to my right. On the left there are two coolant lines going into the transmission. There is a black electrical conduit going from left to right, it has a junction above the coolant lines...that junction is crumby, looks like it has been chewed on, and I see white, probably white wires. This junction goes to a gray plastic part (sensor??) that is bolted to the trans. What is this sensor and has anyone had experience trying to fix a damaged junction like this? Years ago the protective shield under the car engine was lost. Any help is appreciated. I can try to get a pic. thanks.
     
  2. Steve Howey

    Steve Howey New Member

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    posted jpg
     

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  3. Steve Howey

    Steve Howey New Member

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    Does anyone know what the part/sensor is that is shown in the pic? The view of he pic is looking up. The gray plastic part that is show in the pic, can you tell me what it is? 2009 Prius.
     
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    any trouble lites? i would slit the plastic tubing back to assess the damage
     
  5. mr_guy_mann

    mr_guy_mann Senior Member

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    A six wire connection - is likely wiring for a "resolver". That's a fancy position sensor for one of the hybrid drive motors. The sensor is mounted inside the transmission. The gray part with the bolt is just the mating connector (and wires) that goes through the trans case.

    I would (carefully) unlatch the connector and inspect the wiring harness. To me it definitely looks nibbled. If the wires are ok, then wrap it in electrical tape and put it back. If there's "minor" damage to the wire insulation, you can use "liquid electrical tape" then regular electrical tape. If the copper conductors are damaged, then you have to repair things (somehow).

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
  6. MAX2

    MAX2 Senior Member

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    Yes, that's right. The color coding on the visible part of the connector matches the hybrid wiring diagram.

    Problems can arise due to wire breakage or short circuits, then such error codes will appear.

    https://share.qclt.com/%E4%B8%B0%E7%94%B0%E6%99%AE%E7%91%9E%E6%96%AF%E5%8E%9F%E5%8E%82%E8%8B%B1%E6%96%87%E6%89%8B%E5%86%8Cpdf%E6%A0%BC%E5%BC%8F/repair%20manual/04pruisr/05/21bpm/0a4b253.pdf
     
  7. Steve Howey

    Steve Howey New Member

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    thank you so much. This is making sense...the codes were POA4C, POA4D.....generator position sensor. This 2009 Prius was working fine in the city, but was parked in a rural farm site for a few days (possible mice/rodent source) and then the car would not move. Warning lights are the red triangle, a red brake light on the left side of dash that won't go off. and, display screen has the red outline of car with the ! sign in red. Will follow up carefully and report back. I hope this is the problem! Much appreciated!
     
  8. Steve Howey

    Steve Howey New Member

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    Warning lights are the red triangle, a red brake light on the left side of dash that won't go off. and, display screen has the red outline of car with the ! sign in red. problem codes were POA4C and POA4D, generator sensor.
     
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  9. Steve Howey

    Steve Howey New Member

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    I posted this around March 9. car won't move. I have attached updated pics. Review: it appears there was rodent nibbling damage on the wrap (electrical tape?) on bundle of wires that goes to the sensor (see pic). I carefully stripped back conduit, and inner insulation to inspect wires. There are 3 bundles of wires with 2 wires each (six total wires). Black/white, Red/green, and looks like pink/yellow in the three bundles, respectively, that go to sensor. I see minimal damage to the insulation on white wire, I can see some copper. The thing that is puzzling me is these 2-wire bundles also had an additional bare wire (looks like aluminum wire). I only opened two bundles, each one has bare wire going to nowhere. I have not opened pink/yellow bundle, looks ok. The pics are looking up under the car, near the front...the oil filter is to my right. Can anyone tell me what these additional bare wires are? They look like they are the same length...maybe they are just extra wires left in there? The insulation on all the other wires seems ok. THANK YOU for following up. POA4C, POA4D error codes, red triangle, red brake light, and red outline of car on display with ! exclamation. questions welcome generator sensor 1.jpg generator sensor 2.jpg generator sensor 1.jpg generator sensor 2.jpg
     
  10. MAX2

    MAX2 Senior Member

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    Visual inspection and photos are good, but did you take measurements as indicated in manual in post #6?
     
  11. Steve Howey

    Steve Howey New Member

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    response to post #10, MAX2. Short answer is no, have not checked resistance (ohms) or volts on any of these components. I am still puzzled about the bare wires, they seem to go nowhere but were wrapped in the bundle along with the two other wires (for example one bundle is white and black wires, plus this bare wire.) the bare wire does not continue on, it just stops abruptly. I will try to do some measuring. thanks, any questions are welcome from anyone or additional guidance. thank u