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What is this part ?

Discussion in 'Generation 1 Prius Discussion' started by William4, Jul 27, 2015.

  1. William4

    William4 New Member

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    I am trying to figure out what part this is? Mine is cracked at the end of it and you can see into it. When i try to start the car it makes a loud buzz noise for about 10 seconds. Car will not start at all.

    I was driving on the freeway when all of a sudden Triangle came on and the display screen showed flashing red light it was the 3rd option flashing car with ! in it. the engine was really loud but was running odd. pulled over and it sounded like the engine rpms would not come down so i shut the car off and towed it home.Thats when i found the cracked part and odd noise. Also have a click clunk noise coming from top left fuse panel what i think is the big green fuse labeled abs and also a click clunk noise from trunk area when i try to start the car.

    When i turn the key to start the car it acts like it wants to start everything comes on i hear noise from the engine bay but then nothing turns over or turns on. It says Ready up top by the speedo for about 2 seconds then goes away. everything says on and i can switch gears just the car doesn't actually turn on.

    I have also found out the my inverter pump under driver head light is dead so i will replace that. But i dont think that will solve my starting problem. Any clue on the part or anything else will help thanks.
     

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  2. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    That's the Electronic Throttle Control System actuator. It's a motor that needs to be able to move the throttle plate (which you can see if you take off the air filter box). Can you move the throttle plate? (Ordinarily, it's easy to move if the ignition is off. If the ignition is on, it isn't, because the ETCS motor will be saying “no, I wanted it there.”

    Wonder how it could get busted like that....

    -Chap
     
  3. 3prongpaul

    3prongpaul Hybrid Shop Owner, worked on 100's of Prius's

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    Check codes, if the throttle body motor or position sensor are bad there should be codes.
    If you remove the throttle body, leave the small water hoses and electrical connections attached until it is unbolted and you can move it up and around. Then clamp the water hoses and remove the hoses. The electrical connections are also easier to get to when you can move the entire unit around.

    I have a few used throttle bodies in stock. If you need one, $85 shipped lower 48 priority mail including new gasket.
     
  4. William4

    William4 New Member

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    If the ElectronicThrottle Control actuator is bad could that keep the car from starting? Just trying to figure out why it gets power everything goes on the Ready pops up then nothing happens and ready goes away.

    Will be hard to get codes can't easily get it to a shop.
     
  5. 3prongpaul

    3prongpaul Hybrid Shop Owner, worked on 100's of Prius's

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    if you don't have Techstream/MiniVCI go buy a cheapo code reader at Harbor Freight (or borrow from Oreilly/AutoZone) and see what the car thinks is wrong. If scanner won't read any codes then unhook 12V battery for a few seconds....that may make the car drive ok.
     
  6. William4

    William4 New Member

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    Here are 2 videos showing what happens when I try to start my prius. One is inside the car and the other is of the throttle body motor/ actuator buzzing with cracked end.

    I have tried disconnecting the battery for about an hour still same results. I tried turning the car on and physically moving the throttle plate with a screw drive it won't move but the buzzing gets louder as the throttle motor pushes on it. Gonna try to get the codes read with cheap obd2. Thanks for any help.



     
  7. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

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    Try to move the throttle plate with the car off.

    Regardless, take up Paul's offer for a replacement. The cracked housing means it is on the way out.

    Bob Wilson
     
  8. William4

    William4 New Member

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    The throttle body did move when off and seems fine. I actually got one free from a friend of a friend who works at a junk yard if that one don't work I'll contact you about the part. I also got a inverter pump for free. So hopefully this stuff works.
     
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  9. 3prongpaul

    3prongpaul Hybrid Shop Owner, worked on 100's of Prius's

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    If the inverter pump is not the new design, don't use it. Just because it's free doesn't make it good.
     
  10. William4

    William4 New Member

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    I got a obd2 senor and it threw a p3125. Which I read can be a bad inverter. Which would make sense because my inverter pump blew out a few days ago. Guess I'm gonna try and get a inverter and replace that. Any one have a link to a tutorial for that? Should I attempt this?

    I understand free isn't always good but sometimes free is a cheap way to diag the problem.
     
  11. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    I have to ask ... are you checking the service manuals on techinfo.toyota.com for answers to any of your questions?

    Because, y'know, diagnosis is usually the cheap way to diag a problem. Throwing parts around, even if they're free, is only cheap if your time is worthless and you don't need the car to work.

    -Chap
     
  12. William4

    William4 New Member

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    I'm using several websites and YouTube videos but have nto been on that one ill read up on it thanks. Figured I'd post here to try and get any other ideas flowing as I go. If I by chance figure the problem out as cheaply as I can that'd be great as I'm in a bad position with money. Thanks for any help.

    I've obtained a inverter and am in the process of installing it. I have a full write up someone made actually really easy. Hoping this will fix it if not I'll tow it to toyota and see what they say.
     
  13. William4

    William4 New Member

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    Well just to close out this thread for anyone who happens to come here for a similar problem. It turned out to be the inverter and inverter coolant pump

    Anyone have a good write up or a way to know if the lines are bleed and air bubble free for the coolant pump? Thanks.

    I think what may of happened was the inverter pump was bad for a while and I never really knew so it over heated and fried the inverter. I don't believe the throttle body and throttle body motor needed to be replaced and had nothing to do with this. Some how it was cracked no clue how. When I read the codes with a obd2 that I got from auto zone on loan with a deposit so for free, it came back as p3125 and from what I read was bad inveter. Which all started to make sense. Once I replaced the inveter it started right up and runs perfect. Flushed all the coolant and replaced it with the pink stuff and bleed the lines. I can see it actually bubble in the resivior like a fish tank pump. All codes are cleared and everything runs perfect.

    What I read a new and better coolant pump has been made and is suggested as a good replacement that I will be looking at in the next month or 2.

    Here is the tutorial I used for the inverter replacement. Was pretty simple.
    Replacing the Inverter Assembly on a 2002 1st Gen Prius « Russ' Do It Yourself Home Workshop

    Here are 2 videos I used to help replace my inverter coolant pump.


     
  14. Sandy Meyers

    Sandy Meyers Member

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    Wow, I believe this is the problem I'm having right now. I got the dreaded exclamation point and check engine, but not the battery notification on my 2002 Prius. I have 93,000 miles and only drive about 100 miles per month, short errands. My coolant is not bubbling either. I do not have a scanner so I will check with Autozone.

    Any other thoughts on this?
     
  15. Brian in Tucson

    Brian in Tucson Active Member

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    bubbles indicate that there is air in the system. When it's working right, you should see movement in the coolant in the inverter reservoir, but no bubbles. You should be able to find a procedure for bleeding the inverter coolant system online, keep searching. You can get a reprint manual from Rock Auto for about $100. It's a handy thing to have. And a miniVCI, which you can get for about $20 from Ebay or Amazon, you'll need an old Windows XP laptop, too. Much better than a plain obd2 scanner. But if you want one of those, you can get a dongle from Amazon and download Torque Pro from applestore or google store for $4.99. The dongle is Bafx 34t5, and it's about $21 from Amazon.

    Sandy, is there movement in the reservoir next to and above the inverter. You should be able to see it. If there isn't, you shouldn't drive your car and you should look into getting it fixed immediately. Inverter pumps are considered wear items and should be replaced between 60 and 100 thousand miles. Dead inverter can be a very expensive thing to replace.
     
  16. 3prongpaul

    3prongpaul Hybrid Shop Owner, worked on 100's of Prius's

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    Sandy, if you're in LA take it to Avi at HybridFix.com. He knows Gen1's really well.
     
  17. Sandy Meyers

    Sandy Meyers Member

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    Hi Brian and Paul,
    I just saw these replies, thanks so much. Somehow I never received them in my email. Sorry for the delay.

    There is no activity in the reservoir, and the inverter pump is not moving.

    On another note, my neighbor was just here with his Actron Scanner and he was able to read codes with it! I'm getting only a P3130 which says "inverter cooling system malfunction." So I guess that solves it. No other codes popped up. He erased the code. But I know I still have the problem and I do not intend to drive it.

    I'm located near the Long Beach airport. I'm interested in finding someone who can make this repair, change out the two headlamp assemblies and also the hood. The headlamp assemblies are so yellow and hazy and I've done so much to them over the years, I don't believe they are fixable anymore. Toyota discontinued the headlamp assembly.

    Any suggestions on where to get any of these items? I intend to keep the car as long as possible. It's a winner.
     

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  18. 3prongpaul

    3prongpaul Hybrid Shop Owner, worked on 100's of Prius's

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    I'd still Recommend Avi at Hybridfix.com , even if you have to join AAA Plus level for the free tow (up to 100 miles). He may have good used gen1 headlights too.
     
  19. Sandy Meyers

    Sandy Meyers Member

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    How much would one expect to be a reasonable charge to repair the inverter pump plus the part at a local authorized hybrid shop? I'm steering clear of the dealer. Would a regular repair shop attempt this repair if I brought them the part new in the box?
     
  20. Sandy Meyers

    Sandy Meyers Member

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    Oh, that's an interesting thought. I'm looking at acquiring a hood at Pick Your Part, mine is chipped up pretty bad from trucks on I-10 freeway and living in desert 10+ years. Otherwise the paint is great, protected by a nice layer of dirt. Ugh.

    Many thanks, Paul!