Please help with issues on a 2001

[2001 Prius]

I have a 2001 prius with 119,000 miles.

I have 2 issues that I am trying to resolve right now.

Problem #1. I got a hybrid system error message on the screen and took the car to the dealer. Car drives fine. The dealer told me I got an error code of P3130. They wanted to replace the pump assembly and inverter for $5,405. I paid them for the diagnostic and drove it home and parked it. It drove fine, and the error message did not come back.

So I did some research online and read TSB EG023-07.

When I put the car to "on" I do not hear the pump running nor do I see any turbulence in the reservoir. So I started the car and drove it around for a few minutes until the gas engine shut off - but car still on. I opened the hood and still no sound from the pump and no action in the reservior. What should I try next? Shouldn't I hear at least some sound from the pump if it is getting power even if it is broken? The reservoir is full, no bubbles.


Problem #2. The car makes a moderate roaring sound at speeds above 30mph. It's sort of like a hole in the muffler, but it is not affected by reving the engine. It does not sound different around turns. It is coming from the back part of the car. The dealer told me it was a rear axle bearing. I look under the car and do not see a rear axle. Does he mean a wheel bearing? He wants $460 dollars to fix it. Axle bearings are usually a simple fix, no? What to do next?

Thanks

[Mike Dimmick]

Considering that the pump doesn't seem to be running - condition A - I'd start with replacing the pump and not replace the inverter for now. The pump has an MSRP of $140.38 (Champion ToyotaWorld's price: $106.69, plus shipping). You should also replace the coolant - the original stuff was $25 per gallon, I'm not sure how much Super Long Life Coolant (which is premixed, the original Long Life Coolant needed to be diluted) costs.

Hobbit pulled apart an inverter (Gen 2), in which you can see the cooling fins that the fluid runs through to keep the power transistors cool. It's possible that these could clog, or that the design of the original inverters wasn't quite so effective causing the power transistors to overheat in some circumstances, which would be condition B on that TSB.

A new rear hub and bearing assembly is $290.34, so I don't think $460 is that unreasonable.

[mlibanio]

My answer to both issues:
1) I would replace the pump first. At $350 including labour, its not bad. No question there. Its worthwhile. I notice Toyota is always ever so eager to replace inverters on Priu The inverter can be found on ebay or a junk yard for much cheaper. You can always give it to the dealer to replace it. You just pay labour. Do not under any circumstance buy a new inverter for a car with 119,000 miles on her. Unless of course you love your prius that much. I adore my 2002, but if it asked me for that much, its just time to go. Explore this more cost effective solutions first.

2) You are spot on, the wheel bearing would make that sound. Just replace it, but I would advise doing both sides, labour will be similar, as the car is up in the air anyway, might as well do both and have peace of mind.

Let me know what you think about the suggestions.

[Patrick Wong]

Originally Posted by 2001 Prius

...When I put the car to "on" I do not hear the pump running nor do I see any turbulence in the reservoir. So I started the car and drove it around for a few minutes until the gas engine shut off - but car still on. I opened the hood and still no sound from the pump and no action in the reservior. What should I try next? Shouldn't I hear at least some sound from the pump if it is getting power even if it is broken? The reservoir is full, no bubbles.


Problem #2. The car makes a moderate roaring sound at speeds above 30mph. It's sort of like a hole in the muffler, but it is not affected by reving the engine. It does not sound different around turns. It is coming from the back part of the car. The dealer told me it was a rear axle bearing. I look under the car and do not see a rear axle. Does he mean a wheel bearing? He wants $460 dollars to fix it. Axle bearings are usually a simple fix, no? What to do next?

1. I agree that you should replace the inverter coolant pump which is located near the driver's side headlight assembly. You can just make the car IG-ON (where the instrument panel warning lights are on and the car is not READY) as the pump should be running then. If you don't hear the pump and don't see turbulence in the coolant reservoir then it is pretty obvious the pump is bad - or the wiring harness to the pump is not providing 12VDC, which you can verify using a voltmeter.

There is a good chance the inverter is OK since you say that it is working at least part of the time. After the pump is replaced and is providing good cooling, if the inverter continues to produce a fault code then a salvage unit is the way to go.

2. There is a rear beam axle and you may need to get on the ground and view under the car to see it. The wheel bearing is bad, and the price seems reasonable since the entire hub must be replaced.

[2001 Prius]

Thanks for the replies. The plan is to replace the pump and rear hub and bearing assembly.

[jaywolf]

Originally Posted by 2001 Prius

Thanks for the replies. The plan is to replace the pump and rear hub and bearing assembly.

I replace the rear hub due to a noisy wheel bearing.
Hub cost $218 to less that 10 minutes to change.
Remove wheel, then 4 bolts and one plug. Smack it with a hammer to remove to reinstall 4 bolts and a plug and put the wheel back on.
Done.
I only replace one and I put another 80K miles on the car and the other never made any noise.

[2001 Prius]

I decided to have the dealer replace the coolant pump for $413.00 and leave the bearing until I made sure the car was going to make it. The service manager warned me pretty heavily before he did the job that the inverter might be bad. I said I understood the risk.

Well he just called and said that they replaced the pump but the flow coming through the inverter is about 10% of what it should be. He said they tried to blow it out and do everything they could think of. He said it's like the pipes inside just collapsed. Looks like the inverter is bad.

Bummer.

I just looked quickly and saw two inverters on ebay for about $400 shipped. Then the price of install with unknow quality ebay parts.

What would you do with your money? I am thinking get some distance between me and owing the car. B

[bwilson4web]

If this were a second car, I'd say keep it. You can park it and make the repairs as needed. But if this is your sole transportation, you are between a rock and a hard place. This is the risk of a used car especially so if you don't do your own work.

As the warranties expire, the car maintenance and up keep falls on the owners ... including the risks from failed parts. Without a spare car and the financial depth to be able to deal with problems, the owner is running a real risks but that is true with any used car. It is pay me now or pay me later.

But as a spare car can also be a tremendous learning opportunity. It provides a test-bed for experiments and learning how things really work ... if you are curious.

Bob Wilson

[2001 Prius]

I paid the dealer and picked up the car. The dealer wrote on my receipt that the cooling system is obstructed and that it was a partial fix. He recommends a new inverter and a new ECU.

I drove it home. No problems. When I got home I looked under the hood. With the car ingnition to "on" I can hear the new pump running and see turbulence in the coolant reservior. It's not a rushing river but it is moving steadily. It's about like what I think an aquarium pump would do. Not sure how to measure the flow or what to measure it against. Anyway, think it's fixed?

OK. Learning opportunity. So far I have learned that when I was an early adopter and bought the hybrid, it felt really good. I liked the car. I liked the mileage. I felt pretty smug. Not sure if/when I broke even in comparison to an economy gas car but I was a fan-talked it up. First problems occured when we changed out the hybrid battery when it failed at 99K. I made the warranty by the skin of my teeth. I thought I was good to go for another 99K.

Now that I am dealing with this, the smug feeling is long gone and I am feeling sore. I feel I got burned by choosing a hyrid. The expensive electrical parts that can fail on these cars seems to be a big liability once the warranty runs out.

The lesson seems to be that it's fine to drive a hybrid under warranty - which unforetunately is also before the good gas mileage has a chance to really overtake the higher price.

For me, I like to buy a low mileage used car and drive it to 200k. For high milelage older cars I am now thinking it's still better off to go with a gas honda or toyota.

By the way, I called mothership Toyota and cried my story. They said sorry, no help on the repair, but we will give you $1500 towards another Toyota, new or used, if you buy it from a dealer. I think I am going to call back and see if I can get that in writing.

Thoughts?

[Patrick Wong]

A question and two suggestions for you:

1. How frequently did you replace the inverter coolant over the 119K miles? (hint, it should have been replaced 4 x by now, if you are using the red Toyota Long Life coolant.) If the coolant has not been regularly replaced, no surprise that the cooling channels are clogged.

2. I suggest you take the car for a long drive, say 150 miles or more, and see what happens. If the car can cover that distance without producing warning lights, driving during relatively warm weather, then I think you can declare victory regarding the inverter.

3. If you decide the inverter is bad and want to try a salvage unit, I suggest you buy from one of the salvage yards that at least warrant the unit will be good when it is installed.