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Ac quit need help

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by 12blueprius, Jul 25, 2016.

  1. 12blueprius

    12blueprius New Member

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    Hello all,

    I have a 2012 Prius (3 I believe) with 62,000 miles. My car seemed to be revving really high and vibrating quite a bit in the last week. If I pressed the gas to the floor and let off it seemed to take 10-15 seconds for the revs to come back down with the ac on max. I've read that the ac asks the computer for engine help when it's drawing a lot of power which makes sense... But it seemed to be very excessive compared to the previous 60k miles driving. So the other day I got out of my car for a minute and left it on and when I returned the ac had completely quit... It only blows extra hot now with ac button on. Now the engine revs have returned to normal, the car stays in electric mode when turned on because the ac doesn't tell the gas motor to turn on for help and the vibrations seemed to have gone away. My guess is the ac unit itself completely quit and is not talking to the computer for engine help anymore. I have checked the fuse under the steering wheel marked ac which is a red 10 on the left hand side 4th down. If anyone know of anything else I can check (relay, fuse, indicator) that may be connected to this system that would be much appreciated! Also if you think it is shot could you point me in the direction of the the pice that will need to be replace (compressor or what not) so I know what to listen for if I have to take it into a dealer and they don't give me a $3,000 run a round.

    Thanks in advance
    Rob
     
  2. fotomoto

    fotomoto Senior Member

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    Why don't you know for sure what you have? Bought used?

    When you turn the a/c on, do you hear loud fans running on the outside of the car up at the front around the radiator area?
     
  3. 12blueprius

    12blueprius New Member

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    Yes the fans come on for about 5 seconds then back off on start up but gas engine does not come on, just the fans. This cycle keeps repeating every 10-15 seconds with the fans. And 2 reasons why I said that... A: I was just outside in over 100 degree heat for an hour poking around and poring sweat trying to figure it out. I did not feel it important enough to go back outside and dig through my glovebox to find if it was a 3 in that heat. B: it is a Prius and not anything remotely sporty or rare that I would care to know its exact specs... I traded a 2008 supercharged tundra that ran 12.7 in the quarter without the spare or tailgate in on it... Yes it was new but I still wasn't much interested it the exact model just needed a car with good gas mileage to drive up and down the east coast with. I went out and verified it was a 3 for your knowledge even though I assume it doesn't much matter...
     
  4. fotomoto

    fotomoto Senior Member

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    Just wanted to determine if it has an unknown past (wrecks, etc).
     
  5. 12blueprius

    12blueprius New Member

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    No she's clean other than a few dings and scratches. Nothing happened that would warrant the ac just quitting sitting by itself in a parking lot.
     
  6. 12blueprius

    12blueprius New Member

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    Also my apologies! I'm a little frustrated at the moment because tomorrow I have to drive 18 hours from the bottom of GA to the top of PA without ac... If it is not a simple fix then most likely this will be one miserable trip in this heat...
     
  7. alinica2001

    alinica2001 Member

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    Try to use recirculation with A/C and see if this is better. Have you tried AUTO button to see if it helps cooling down the temperature ?
     
  8. 12blueprius

    12blueprius New Member

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    There is no cool air... Recirculating, auto, manual, Eco mode, power mode, sitting in park, 70 mph down the highway, fan on low, fan at max, temperature on low, temperature set in the 70's, everything is hot air with no attempt at cooling it.
     
  9. fotomoto

    fotomoto Senior Member

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    Yeah, it sounds like the compressor isn't working. It's a high voltage design and not powered by a mechanical belt and pulley system like in non-hybrids so it still cools with the ICE off. My guess is it has either seized or is no longer getting the proper voltage.
     
  10. 12blueprius

    12blueprius New Member

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    Thank you! What steps can I take to check and confirm this? First would probably be power? If you could give me the location to check output/input I could accomplish that and get back to you. (Guessing volt meter the battery in trunk on right hand side for output is first step? 12v correct?) If the power is correct is there a feel or listen trick to the compressor to tell if it's working? Where would the compressor be located? Also (other then the red 10 under the steering wheel) is there any other fuses/relays I could quick check to see if that is the reason power would not be making it to the compressor?
     
    #10 12blueprius, Jul 25, 2016
    Last edited: Jul 25, 2016
  11. fotomoto

    fotomoto Senior Member

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    Sorry, I don't have any advice on troubleshooting except to warn you the a/c is 300v not 12v so don't go poking around there without more knowledge.

    Edit: Another thought. Since it quit so suddenly, it may have blown its fuse during that time when the ICE was running hard.

    GOOD LUCK!
     
    #11 fotomoto, Jul 25, 2016
    Last edited: Jul 25, 2016
  12. 12blueprius

    12blueprius New Member

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    Understood and thank you for your help! I appreciate it!!! Can anyone with troubleshooting experience chime in?
     
  13. AzWxGuy

    AzWxGuy Weather Guy

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    I had the same failure symptoms with my 2011. A PC regular posted a workshop manual extract for the 2010 Gen III that helped me figure out what it was. The keystrokes for this test are start from ACC mode (power on without brake), hold down AUTO and Recirculate/Fresh Air buttons, and press START again. Should see A/C LCD and all LED lights blink 4 times at 1 second interval followed by a code displayed where the preset temperature (digits on left side of LCD) are normally displayed. A 00 code means no problems. Then press OFF to escape. I got a code 76 which means there is an A/C Inverter Load System Malfunction. This could be caused by a refrigerant leak or overfill, a problem in the condenser fan circuit, or lastly a compressor lock. It was a compressor lock. A new compressor (with warranty) would have been $1900 plus installation. My Toyota service writer was able to track down a used compressor for $650 which was installed and has worked fine ever since. Hope this helps.
     
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  14. 12blueprius

    12blueprius New Member

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    I just completed the test and have a 76 as well so it looks like I too have the same problem...
     
  15. 12blueprius

    12blueprius New Member

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    I appreciate all the help everyone!!! Doesn't look like I'm gonna be able to fix this before tomorrow morning so I'll have to address it when I can get home. Thanks again for the quick responses you guys are great!!!
     
  16. LoreoS

    LoreoS New Member

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    I have a 2011 Prius and the other day my a/c worked fine all day then I started car after shopping & it was blowing extremely hot air. I took it to Toyota dealer where they checked all the normal things but couldn't figure it out even the compressor seemed to work. After 5 hours they said that I must have a faulty compressor that came from manufacturer that way and it had sent metal pieces through my condenser plugging it up. Neither could be saved and I'm quoted $3500 to replace compressor & condenser. I don't have that kind of money but have health problems and desperately need a/c! Anyone else have this problem? Anyone know how I can get these parts & have them installed cheap? Who manufactures the compressor on this model?
     
  17. AzWxGuy

    AzWxGuy Weather Guy

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    I believe the compressor manufacturer is Nippon Denso. Yes, prohibitively expensive. And I suppose your warranty is expired also. Maybe have your service writer find a used one like mine did? Still expensive, but more affordable and your A/C works again.
     
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  18. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    Just a reminder, that code 76 narrows down the possibilities, but not all the way down to one problem, as you see. Somebody still needs to follow the troubleshooting steps for code 76 to pin down which one of those listed possible causes is the problem in your car.

    -Chap
     
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  19. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    If it's true there was a compressor failure with debris that escaped into the system, there's going to have to be at least a thorough flush of all the parts of the system that aren't replaced ... something only a good A/C shop will be equipped to do.

    -Chap
     
  20. mrbigh

    mrbigh Prius Absolutum Dominium

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    had you checked the fuses???????