1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Check Engine question

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by DomL 07, Aug 3, 2015.

  1. DomL 07

    DomL 07 Member

    Joined:
    Jun 17, 2013
    54
    27
    0
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    My wife took the 07 Prius to the mechanic because the check engine light came on.
    They said (and I'm not sure exactly since she picked it up) there is some sort of a clog in the cooling system.
    It's going in tomorrow but I was hoping someone has some info that it's a common, easy thing to fix.
    Thanks,
    Dom
     
  2. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 10, 2013
    16,463
    8,377
    0
    Location:
    Los Angeles, CA
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    II
    It's probably the 3 way coolant valve. I can't think of any cooling thing that would cause a check engine light.

    This has been reported to be covered under the emissions warranty in CA if you're under 150k miles.

    This will probably be a $500+ repair at the dealer
     
  3. JTM2955

    JTM2955 Active Member

    Joined:
    Feb 8, 2015
    475
    185
    0
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Clog in the cooling system? I would sure like to know what the code(s) that was set. Three way valve is possible, but why would they tell her "clog" in the system.

    Prius is different and I would be wary of anyone other than the dealer working on it.

    LG G3 T-MOBILE phone ☎
     
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,571
    48,861
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    how many miles on her?
     
  5. DomL 07

    DomL 07 Member

    Joined:
    Jun 17, 2013
    54
    27
    0
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    185,000 miles on her
     
  6. DomL 07

    DomL 07 Member

    Joined:
    Jun 17, 2013
    54
    27
    0
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Unfortunately, over the 150 mark. Closer to 183,000
    Crap !
     
  7. DomL 07

    DomL 07 Member

    Joined:
    Jun 17, 2013
    54
    27
    0
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    I don't trust the dealer. Got bad vibes last time I took it to them.
     
  8. JTM2955

    JTM2955 Active Member

    Joined:
    Feb 8, 2015
    475
    185
    0
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Then choose another dealer. There is a dealer three miles from me but I drive thirty miles to another dealer because I don't care for the closer dealer's service manager. I can relate ( he has two computer on his desk, one is his and the other is the dealer; NO
    , it's not two monitors).

    LG G3 T-MOBILE phone ☎
     
  9. DomL 07

    DomL 07 Member

    Joined:
    Jun 17, 2013
    54
    27
    0
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    I should have added a little more.
    I just spoke with my mechanic. The code is for a coolant flow problem.
    The light was on last week until the day after they first looked at it. When I took it home, the light was off.
    I drove almost 300 miles with no light on. Stopped at me son's house for less that 10 minutes
    and the light came on when I started the car.
    Drove the 60 miles home, and the 65 miles back and forth to work yesterday with the light on.
    Went to drop it off at the mechanic last night..... no light on.
     
  10. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 10, 2013
    16,463
    8,377
    0
    Location:
    Los Angeles, CA
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    II
    all you've described is an intermittent problem, a problem none the less.

    If the problem is related to the 3 way coolant pump, you won't do any damage by driving your car. You just won't get heat when you need it.
     
  11. DomL 07

    DomL 07 Member

    Joined:
    Jun 17, 2013
    54
    27
    0
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Hopefully, that's all it is. First serious problem I've had in 184,000 miles.
    Thank you !
     
  12. geekwithoutacause

    geekwithoutacause Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 1, 2015
    63
    12
    0
    Location:
    Phoenix az
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    uhm, a clogged HV cooling fan perhaps ? I just cleaned mine, got a nice big fat RED triangle because of it. Was probably 80% clogged.
     
    JTM2955 likes this.
  13. JTM2955

    JTM2955 Active Member

    Joined:
    Feb 8, 2015
    475
    185
    0
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    I need to clean my fan too its been 11 years and a hundred fifty five thousand miles so I'm sure it's got some fuzz in it

    LG G3 T-MOBILE phone ☎
     
  14. JTM2955

    JTM2955 Active Member

    Joined:
    Feb 8, 2015
    475
    185
    0
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    How big of a hassle was it to clean the fan geek without a cause?

    LG G3 T-MOBILE phone ☎
     
  15. geekwithoutacause

    geekwithoutacause Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 1, 2015
    63
    12
    0
    Location:
    Phoenix az
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Quite easy actually. Bunch of bolts and some plastic tabs then you can get right to it. Work from the trunk opening and the right rear door and you can do it in an hour. There are some descriptions online but almost everything is common sense removal. Only 3 things were a 'good to know' ahead of time.
    1. the cover on top of the big HD battery needs to be unbolted but also has 3 plastic snap-in plugs under it. Just pull the cover straights up and it pops out.

    2.some areas have the plastic plugs. You can remove them by pushing the center piece of the plug IN ! not out. They come right out then.
    Other than that.. don't drop any bolts or nuts behind the 12 volt battery or you will be removing that battery as well. Don't ask how I know :)

    3.the rear bench pulls up from the front of the bench. You need to do this to get to the vent for the battery on the right rear side.

    You will see the fan and I cleaned it out w q-tips. Compressed air will probably work too (and is easier/quicker) but I didn't have any handy.
    No more codes since and battery temps haven't been above 120
     
  16. JTM2955

    JTM2955 Active Member

    Joined:
    Feb 8, 2015
    475
    185
    0
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Wonderful, and yes I have experienced the push in plastic plugs. I thought think I will wait until fall, cooler temps and lower humidity.

    LG G3 T-MOBILE phone ☎