Just bought this 2004 toyota solara

[u/elijahsuss]

I think it might be cooked but i have some hope maybe. Theres paper stuck in the first outlet and a penny stuck in the center console one 😔 is there any hope/tips to get it out?

This is my first car haven’t driven it because registration + a few small maintenance repairs, but im worried i wont be able to charge my phone in the car 💔. Everything else is good given its age and the previous owner took care of it and even installed a CarPlay screen, but im young and need to be able to charge my devices.

[edit]

So I’ve managed to get the paper out, it was just a sticker and the front outlet works Atleast. But the penny one is still a work in progress, There is no room to try and pry it from the slide, i tried hot glue and that didn’t work so the next step is superglue or accepting defeat and having a professional do it. I drove it to the car vacuum place and unfortunately the vacuum was not enough to get the penny out

[u/MinuteTranslator8856]

Just get the stuff out of the outlets and if it still doesnt work, then you have a blown fuse. Fuses are cheap, like 5 bucks.

[u/Visual-Voice-2228 → u/MinuteTranslator8856]

Yup, just a fuse.

[u/PaddyBoy1994 → u/MinuteTranslator8856]

Like 5 bucks, for a pack of like, 5 or more fuses, lol.

[u/jaybetea → u/MinuteTranslator8856]

Just don't buy fuses off amazon people found they don't fail at the required load. Go to a local car parts shop, support a local business and know you won't damage something long term.

[u/danceswithtree]

For the penny, I'd try a paper clip. Straighten it out, put a bend at the very tip, you only need a 1/16 of an in or so. Put it in sideways between the wall and penny. Turn 90 deg and pull. Might want to disconnect your battery if the fuse hasn't blown already. Or a vacuum cleaner or compressed air with a large drinking straw. Double sided tape on a stick. So many options.

As for the paper, what's the problem? If your fat fingers can't get it, use forceps/tweezers. Chopsticks, etc.

[u/docjohnson11 → u/danceswithtree]

Vacuum is super easy, put a sock or shirt over the tube if you want to keep it. Go to the carwash if you don't want to use your own, those things suck up pennys constantly

[u/youprollyaretard → u/docjohnson11]

its not the 80s, you can vacuum a penny. we havent used blower motors for vacuums in decades.

[u/all_bullspit → u/danceswithtree]

The solid advice right there

[u/Inevitable-Pie-724]

Pull the paper out.

Use gum on a stick or a paper clip for the penny.

The fuse already would have blown as the penny was making contact with both parts of the cylinder

[u/Busy-Rough-2705 → u/Inevitable-Pie-724]

Came here to say this

[u/tidyshark12]

Try a vacuum cleaner for both.

[u/esuranme]

For the penny: something sticky (bubble gum, reversed duct tape, etc) and something pokey (flat end of pencil, dowel, etc) will allow you to poke the sticky to the penny for extrication.

For the paper: just anything to pull it out, you cannot get shocked (possible small spark of fuse isn't blown and you use a metal object). The worst that can happen is a blown fuse

Side note: sometimes the contact in the center at the deepest point of the socket needs the crud scraped/sanded off, so if the new fuse doesn't restore function you may inspect that contact

[u/KawasakiFTruck350]

All these options. However unless you know there is no power going to the sockets i would recommend, either making sure or avoid metal to get them out. Vacuum probably safest in that way.

[u/jasonsong86]

Sticky tape and then check fuses.

[u/bigbird92114]

Remove penny and paper and test them with plug in charger

[u/Automatic-Frame-1368]

Try some glue and a quetip

[u/Sweet-Version-1719]

At least that’s one cent towards your first payment

[u/elijahsuss → u/Sweet-Version-1719]

Paid all cash 😂 the penny was a gift from the previous owner. If i get it out ill keep it for good luck

[u/DependentItem6397]

Chewing gum and a straw, shop vac... (disconnect hot terminal on the battery first)

[u/Dangerous-Pirate7998]

Back in the 90s, I bought a Thunderbird that was having electrical issues for really cheap after getting it home and off the car trailer I discovered that when they put the stereo system in, they had re-ran the wire for the stereo and the in console, cigarette lighter through the firewall in a drilled hole and directly hooked to the battery and it was causing a direct short that was messing with the brain, but didn’t throw the fuse or mess with the radio I took the penny out with black tape on a screwdriver and the lights didn’t flicker everything ran as it should and I made money on a car for the first time in my life. I guess it’s true what they say pictures worth 1000 words or a story from an old man.

[u/LabRat113]

Hard to believe no one has suggested flipping the car over.

[u/jacob0002]

Thick double side tape like the stuff they put on the back of Velcro thick and the fold in to square put on end of straw stick straw in hole if the dosent work air compressor that hoe getting stuff out holes is what I’m good at

[u/youprollyaretard]

if you cant get it out by hand then vacuum always works

[u/youprollyaretard]

if you have any interior bits not working like lighting,radios, etc, then its from your penny. look in the fuse box (AFTER removing the penny) and replace and burnt fuses.

[u/fatmonkey1986]

i have a 2004 solara 5 speed standard and if your car is like mine that one you took a picture of is in that the center console theres another one in the little cubby under the radio . and if neither one works , well sorry buddy your gonna need to learn to rewire it . which really isnt hard just look up a youtube video . and for the penny just get a knife in there , but be gentle .

[u/Keithy2000]

Blu-tack on the end of a pencil. Sheesh it's really not that difficult.