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water pump & inverter

Discussion in 'Generation 1 Prius Discussion' started by 2002prius, May 30, 2011.

  1. 2002prius

    2002prius Junior Member

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    I just got a price for replacing the inverter and the inverter water pump on the hybrid engine- $4200. Is this real?

    This is a 2002.
     
    #1 2002prius, May 30, 2011
  2. freidawg

    freidawg Prius Recycler

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    I am assuming that came from a Toyota Dealer. I have seen quotes in that range from Toyota Dealers in the Colorado area. I have also seen mis-diagnosis of the inverter from same.

    So, I guess its real, but there are other options.

    Eric
     
    #2 freidawg, May 30, 2011
  3. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    What driveability symptoms do your car produce?

    What evidence were you given that the inverter and inverter coolant pump are the cause of the symptoms?

    Will your car run satisfactorily when the inverter is cold?

    If in fact the inverter and inverter coolant pump need to be replaced then I suggest that you obtain a salvage inverter for <$1K and a new coolant pump for ~$100 and have an independent install both.
     
    #3 Patrick Wong, May 30, 2011
  4. 2002prius

    2002prius Junior Member

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    Yes it is a dealer. I talked to a couple of garages and they said the dealer had to do it. I guess I was just shocked.
     
    #4 2002prius, May 30, 2011
  5. 2002prius

    2002prius Junior Member

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    I was on my way to catch a plane and trying to find an exit off of the highway when it stopped completely. It wouldn't restart at all. I had to have it towed.
     
    #5 2002prius, May 30, 2011
  6. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    You may want to ask what DTC your car logged. The presence of DTC P3125 would be some evidence (although not 100%) that the inverter has failed.

    If you have an opportunity you might try making the car READY once again. If it fails to start when the inverter is cold then it is reasonable that the inverter has failed. If it will start then the inverter is likely OK and just the inverter coolant pump needs to be replaced.
     
    #6 Patrick Wong, May 30, 2011
  7. thoops

    thoops New Member

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    This precisely describes the problem with my 2002 Prius. The Toyota dealer has told me that I need a new inverter pump at $400+, but that he won't be able to tell me whether the inverter is bad until the new pump is installed. Conditions that led to the failure, by the way, were extreme heat in the Dallas area. I want to know why a more precise diagnosis isn't possible... I have gotten this kind of conditional diagnosis before when dealing with a brake failure (oil change place put the wrong fluid in the brake reservoir), and find it frustrating when trying to make decisions about what repairs to carry out. My Prius has 230,000 miles, and has been a champion since we purchased it in late 2001. I will attempt to order the pump... can you give me some suggestions about web sources?
     
    #7 thoops, Jul 17, 2011
  8. seilerts

    seilerts Battery Curmudgeon

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    You'd have to pay tax to order from Champion (Houston), so try partznet.com or parts.com.

    Try resetting the codes and seeing if things work on a cold start. If you don't have a reader, you can do this by disconnecting the 12V battery negative for 5 minutes.
     
    #8 seilerts, Jul 17, 2011
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