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

2005 Prius-No heat from vents

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by dpeverhart, Nov 19, 2013.

  1. dpeverhart

    dpeverhart Member

    Joined:
    Jul 24, 2012
    126
    23
    0
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    I
    I recently picked up a 2005 Prius with 129k miles that seems to be in good working order overall with the exception of the heater not working. I hadn't noticed until the cold weather hit yesterday. The blower is working fine, the A/C cools like it should, but when put the desired temperature up the air is not hot; not even warm really. I'm not getting the check engine light or any codes.

    With most cars this would usually point to a faulty thermostat but I'm not sure on a Prius. I checked the coolant level and it's fine. I don't hear any gurgling in the dash so I'm guessing there's no air in the system. Any input is appreciated.
     
    #1 dpeverhart, Nov 19, 2013
  2. dpeverhart

    dpeverhart Member

    Joined:
    Jul 24, 2012
    126
    23
    0
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    I
    I'd like to add one piece of addition info that may be pertinent. I noticed in the repair history that in April 2012 while in service at Toyota noted a code stored in the ECM for the Coolant Flow Control Valve stuck.
     
    #2 dpeverhart, Nov 19, 2013
  3. john1701a

    john1701a Prius Guru

    Joined:
    Jan 6, 2004
    12,760
    5,246
    57
    Location:
    Minnesota
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Advanced
    How long did the engine run? Warm up takes a few minutes. Reaching hot takes longer. Owners on the north block there grille to reduce that time and for heat retention.
     
    #3 john1701a, Nov 19, 2013
  4. dpeverhart

    dpeverhart Member

    Joined:
    Jul 24, 2012
    126
    23
    0
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    I
    It ran for 30 minutes and still no heat.

    It's working now. It was just low on coolant. I had originally just checked the coolant tank above the inverter and it was fine, but I just checked the radiator and it was low about 1.5 quarts. I topped it off with SLLC and heat is working now!
     
    #4 dpeverhart, Nov 19, 2013
  5. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

    Joined:
    Mar 8, 2008
    18,200
    6,479
    0
    Location:
    Green Valley, AZ
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    That is good, but the question is whether the low coolant was caused by a service technician error in the past (not getting all of the air out of the system when the coolant valve was serviced) or caused by a leak.

    I suggest that you remove the radiator cap daily (first thing in the morning before driving the car) and check the coolant level, filling to the top as needed. Repeat this process until you find the coolant level stays at the very top of the radiator neck.

    If you find that the coolant continues to drop significantly, then look around for a coolant leak, especially the engine coolant pump, hoses, and the radiator itself.
     
    #5 Patrick Wong, Nov 19, 2013
  6. dpeverhart

    dpeverhart Member

    Joined:
    Jul 24, 2012
    126
    23
    0
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    I

    Good point. I'll keep an eye on the level and on the garage floor. It recently had the water pump changed at Toyota and it's possible it was not properly filled and bled at that time.
     
    #6 dpeverhart, Nov 19, 2013
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)