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HighlanderGeneral discussion forum for the Toyota Highlander and Highlander Hybrid.
This is a discussion thread titled "Mystery push button???", within the Highlander forum, part of the SUV Forums category.
I have just found a black push button under the dash on the left side wall of the drivers side by the emergency brake peddle on my 03 V6 HL. It I were to guess I would think it is some kind of a reset button because it has a spring action and when I push it in, it comes back out. A small critter, only about 1/4 inch across. Can anyone tell me what the mysterious black push button is for?
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My first two Toyotas: a 1972 Yellow Carina and a 1974 Copper Corona 'woody' station wagon. Remember these names?
I have just found a black push button under the dash on the left side wall of the drivers side by the emergency brake peddle on my 03 V6 HL. It I were to guess I would think it is some kind of a reset button because it has a spring action and when I push it in, it comes back out. A small critter, only about 1/4 inch across. Can anyone tell me what the mysterious black push button is for?
This is the Toyota "Call Home" button. It sends a signal to Toyota HQ which logs the number of presses to see how many people will push the button.
So far, according to "reliable sources" they have logged over 2 billion pushes of this button.
Okay - just kidding - I don't have one on my HiHy...
Nah! If it were that it would have a little sticker next to it that said, "HEY IDIOT, PRESS ME". Seriously though, my HL IS prewired for that alarm system that goes off everytime you lean against the vehicle (or when it's waiting to long for you in a parking lot). I'm wondering if it has something to do with resetting that and the button is part of the prewiring.
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My first two Toyotas: a 1972 Yellow Carina and a 1974 Copper Corona 'woody' station wagon. Remember these names?
Open the manual if yu have one. It is the Emergency Parachute!
And if yu keep pressing in for 6 full seconds the sunroof blows out and then your unwelcome Date ejects out of the car while moving at highway speeds. What a mind blower!! I couldn't believe it until I actually tried it.
Check your manual and look up TPMS instructions.(seriously)
Toyota at its best.
LT
LifeTech, I thought the TPMS system didn't appear until the 2004 models. Mine is a 2003, build in Dec. 2002. I could not find a word about any TPMS in the manual, either in the index or under the tire section. I am enclosing a picture of the button so you can verify for me if we are talking about the same animal. I should have done this in my first post. Again, thanks for your help.
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My first two Toyotas: a 1972 Yellow Carina and a 1974 Copper Corona 'woody' station wagon. Remember these names?
LifeTech, I thought the TPMS system didn't appear until the 2004 models. Mine is a 2003, build in Dec. 2002. I could not find a word about any TPMS in the manual, either in the index or under the tire section. I am enclosing a picture of the button so you can verify for me if we are talking about the same animal. I should have done this in my first post. Again, thanks for your help.
That looks like an after market security switch or reset. It's not a factory switch.
__________________ 06 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Limited (former ride - 05 Tundra Limited Double Cab, 4x4, TRD Pkg, Trailer Tow, Auto Dimming mirror, Factory Bed Liner, Running Boards, Bug Deflector, Sun roof):
Wife's Car :05 Prius - White, Option package 6, Glass Break Sensor, Mods: Auto door lock, Molded mud flaps, Cargo Net. Not much more you can get on it.
Oh by the way, "Batteries are included" with the Prius & Highlander Hybrids
Here is what I found out. I removed the side panel. The switch has two prongs connected to a black/white wire. When you press the switch (or button) it doesn't click,it just springs back. I followed the two wires to a group of wires connected with a cable tie. From there the wire 'black/white' travels up under the dash. Since I can't see up further, I took out the change box to access the fuses. Could not spot the black/white wire, or see any connection to the fuse box. What I did find was a length of bunched up and tied black tape covered wire (red/blue) that leads to the red light on the third panel on the picture below. I always assumed, since I bought the car used, that this red LED light was for the alarm system. My HL has the immobilizer (chip in keys) and was prewired for an alarm. I'm stumped. Any and all suggestions are appreciated. (Except the ejection seat one, since everyone knows ejection seat buttons are on the transmission shifter) LOL
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My first two Toyotas: a 1972 Yellow Carina and a 1974 Copper Corona 'woody' station wagon. Remember these names?
Here is what I found out. I removed the side panel. The switch has two prongs connected to a black/white wire. When you press the switch (or button) it doesn't click,it just springs back. I followed the two wires to a group of wires connected with a cable tie. From there the wire 'black/white' travels up under the dash. Since I can't see up further, I took out the change box to access the fuses. Could not spot the black/white wire, or see any connection to the fuse box. What I did find was a length of bunched up and tied black tape covered wire (red/blue) that leads to the red light on the third panel on the picture below. I always assumed, since I bought the car used, that this red LED light was for the alarm system. My HL has the immobilizer (chip in keys) and was prewired for an alarm. I'm stumped. Any and all suggestions are appreciated. (Except the ejection seat one, since everyone knows ejection seat buttons are on the transmission shifter) LOL
My friend has the EXACT same switch, wiring, wire colors and red LED in his used S10. However the switch is in the console and LED is in the center of the dash. It was for an aftermarket security system the previous owner had installed. The switch and LED don't work as the previous owner had taken the unit out when he sold the vehicle, leaving both the switch, clipped wiring and the LED. Try asking someone at Circut City or an Audio place by you if they use that in one of their set ups and I'll bet you find out exactly what it was for and maybe luck out (but very unlikely) that it's still there and all you need is the remote for it .
__________________ 06 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Limited (former ride - 05 Tundra Limited Double Cab, 4x4, TRD Pkg, Trailer Tow, Auto Dimming mirror, Factory Bed Liner, Running Boards, Bug Deflector, Sun roof):
Wife's Car :05 Prius - White, Option package 6, Glass Break Sensor, Mods: Auto door lock, Molded mud flaps, Cargo Net. Not much more you can get on it.
Oh by the way, "Batteries are included" with the Prius & Highlander Hybrids
Mystery Solved:
I went back to the wiring at the switch and followed it through the firewall into the engine compartment. There was about 12 inches of wire coming from the firewall, with a quarter inch bare at the end. Oviously disconnected from something, either an alarm or else it was connected to the fuse box for power. Unfortunately, no alarm to be found. This convinces me it must have been aftermarket like the rest of you gentlemen suggested, looked to sloppy to be part of the factory prewiring. O'well at least the mystery is solved. Thanks to all who helped solve the mystery.
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My first two Toyotas: a 1972 Yellow Carina and a 1974 Copper Corona 'woody' station wagon. Remember these names?
Found the alarm unit! For some reason I couldn't rest until I found where the LED light wires led, and sure enough, tucked behind the dash wiring I found the alarm unit. It's an Audiovox pursuit series Pro 9232A. The main alarm box is there connected to a wire harness and the valet and LED. I am assuming the rest of the wiring is still there. It's suppose to be an upgrade module that uses the existing factory keyless entry transmitters. If I'm lucky, it only has to be connected to the fuse box. I think I will stop at an auto alarm shop though to have it checked out .You know what they say about things that look to easy......
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My first two Toyotas: a 1972 Yellow Carina and a 1974 Copper Corona 'woody' station wagon. Remember these names?
Leave it alone . Don't bother with it. I know that alarm sys. It is cheap junk. Keep it all Toyota. It was diconnected for a reason! It probably did not work and was a nuisance to the prior owner. Yu said yu have a factory alarm? If I understood yu correctly?
Audiovox makes the worst car alarms. It is the worst stuff. Any alarm system that uses a switch for valet mode is old hack.
Just my opinion. Installed many alarms years back.
If yu don't have ANY Factory alarm, just the chip key, that is enough to prevent a theft. But please do install a quality aftermarket one if yu really think yu need one. There are many good ones if yu educate yourself and shop around. Price is generally relative to what yu get.
I would NOT install an alarm into the existing Toyota alarm even if it integrates the O/E Toyota Remote key fob. It is redundant and will cause problems down the road. I see dealers sell this "Fluff" all the time.
The O/E security system uses the horns when there is a definite breakin. No sirens. They are not noticed much these days anyway.
My limited came with it but I added the GBS option which is the glass breakage module and it was installed at the Port by Toyota. It is a nice addition.
Mystery push button???
Re: Mystery push button???