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

Help: How to Operate Inverter Coolant Pump After DIY Exchange

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by SageBrush, Nov 5, 2014.

  1. SageBrush

    SageBrush Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 4, 2008
    11,627
    2,530
    8
    Location:
    Southwest Colorado
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Two
    Hi all,

    My Prius is a Prius (v)agon (same as a Gen3 Prius so far as I know).
    After I
    1. Drained the old coolant
    2. Put back the drain bolt
    3. Added coolant to the reservoir
    I tapped the 'Power' button twice without touching the brake pedal to enter Ig-On mode. Lots of lights on the information display confirm (I think) Ig-on mode and not IG-ACC. The Power button LED is amber.

    However, I cannot hear the coolant pump or see circulation in the reservoir. I tried the sequence from 'Power off' a number of times with the same result. The car is raised off the front tyres, doors are closed, and parking brake in engaged -- if any of that matters.

    ::befuddled::
     
    #1 SageBrush, Nov 5, 2014
  2. Den49

    Den49 Member

    Joined:
    Oct 25, 2010
    498
    267
    0
    Location:
    Maryland
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    Someone posted in another thread that the inverter pump would run in "Ig-On" mode, but I found that not to be true for my car when I did my inverter coolant change. I had to put the car in "Ready" mode to run the inverter pump.
     
    #2 Den49, Nov 6, 2014
  3. Andyprius1

    Andyprius1 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 4, 2013
    2,327
    859
    1
    Location:
    Cool CA
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    Just off the top of my head, if you can't see the reservoir bubbling, can't hear it then touch the pump, you can definitely feel it, IF it's working. Keep it in ready, foot brake on, cap off on refill container. The quantity of fluid should slowly go down, as it does keep refilling, do not let it get low. Find bleeder screw, attach a hose, clear plastic, from bleeder to reservoir and open bleeder screw slowly, when all bubbles or air stop and you get clear fluid shut bleeder screw. Make sure reservoir is full, put cap on. This was the procedure on my. 2005, Gen 2, whether it applies to your Prius or not ???
     
    #3 Andyprius1, Nov 6, 2014
  4. SageBrush

    SageBrush Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 4, 2008
    11,627
    2,530
    8
    Location:
    Southwest Colorado
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Two
    Much to my regret, the bleeder screw has been removed from the Gen3.

    Thanks for the other suggestions to check for subtle flow.
     
    #4 SageBrush, Nov 6, 2014
  5. Andyprius1

    Andyprius1 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 4, 2013
    2,327
    859
    1
    Location:
    Cool CA
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    To get the air out, you must bleed it, replace it with proper screw. What is in the place of the bleeder that was there ?
     
    #5 Andyprius1, Nov 6, 2014
  6. Andyprius1

    Andyprius1 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 4, 2013
    2,327
    859
    1
    Location:
    Cool CA
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    They say that eventually all the air will go to the top. but in the meantime you have to watch your inverter temperature and keep the reservoir full. Otherwise it will suck air in.
     
    #6 Andyprius1, Nov 6, 2014
  7. SageBrush

    SageBrush Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 4, 2008
    11,627
    2,530
    8
    Location:
    Southwest Colorado
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Two
    There is that problem, and the damage that air causes to the pump.
     
    #7 SageBrush, Nov 6, 2014
  8. Andyprius1

    Andyprius1 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 4, 2013
    2,327
    859
    1
    Location:
    Cool CA
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    So, did the car never have a bleeder screw?
     
    #8 Andyprius1, Nov 6, 2014
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)