What the heck is this thing?

[Tucson4runner]

So I was taking apart my dash and noticed this very hot box right below the key hole. I had just turned the runner off and this was extremely hot. It has a button on it of you can see it in the pics but I didn't press it. Thanks in advance.

 

[Edubsam]

Shot in the dark: ECU reset?

 

[Socco]

Does it bolt into place, right above where it is hanging? Would that "button" fit against the black thing in between the holes on the ignition switch? I would say it is what locks the key into the ignition cylinder when the transmission is in gear.

 

[Tucson4runner]

Opened it up and there it was just hanging. I could see if it can bolt in up there someone.

 

[Tomsriv]

I took mine off a long time ago. I don't recall the reason, but I think it had something to do with the key buzzer. I don't like my car to buzz at me.

 

[ALBPM]

It's the self destruct button in case the Zombies overrun you and you are out of gas and ammo...

 

[Tucson4runner]

That's exactly what I thought! Pretty inconvenient place Toyota. Gotta unscrew the entire dash just to get to it.

 

[ALBPM]

But only a select few know about it. Note the mounting brackets so you can locate it under the ignition switch.

Next Mod: Spare 30rnd magazine and Self Destruct button relocation.

 

[the great him]

thats a flux capacitor...

 

[Gerdo]

When in doubt call it a flux capacitor.
I'm seeing a trend here.

 

[the great him]

all cars should have one, no one has ever actually seen one so, yes when no one knows what something is then yes...

 

[RS Dude]

It's the key interlock solenoid that prevents the key from being removed if the shifter is not in park.

 

[Tucson4runner]

It's the key interlock solenoid that prevents the key from being removed if the shifter is not in park.

Should it be hanging there?

 

[brian4t]

I'm going to go out on a limb here and say your flux capacitor should be screwed in with the two holes on the solenoid. The bracket on the solenoid looks like a perfect fit into the other section pictured (steering column?). If it was hot, heat expansion might have played a part at working screws loose.

 

[Socco]

Should it be hanging there?

No, it should be screwed back in, but it doesn't hurt anything if it isn't. The worst that can happen is you'll be able to remove the key while you're still in gear.
It was hot because that's what solenoids do when they are energized for a while. Not being screwed to the ignition assembly didn't help either as now it doesn't have a heat sink.

 

[Martinjmpr]

It's the self destruct button in case the Zombies overrun you and you are out of gas and ammo...

:lmao:

Wrong. It's a secret NSA tracking device that has been installed in all vehicles since 1974 pursuant to a top-secret Executive Order signed by President Nixon on his last day in office. It automatically transmits your location, your blood alcohol level, and what station you are listening to on your radio to a fleet of black helicopters that hover silently over the US 24 hours a day.

:

Hmmmm...we need a "tin foil hat" smilie.