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

Windshield defog airflow failure

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Technical Discussion' started by Sándor, Sep 18, 2016.

  1. Sándor

    Sándor New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 18, 2016
    6
    2
    0
    Location:
    Hungary
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    Hi!

    I have an issue with my gen3 Prius. When I set the air conditioning to windshield defog the airflow comes to my leg too. I looked inside the dashboard as I can, I find a servo which not move in any set of the A/C controll. Can you tell me what this servo for: IMG_4968.JPG
    (This is on the right buttom side of the air control box, below the air mix control gear)
     
    #1 Sándor, Sep 18, 2016
    Last edited: Sep 18, 2016
  2. drysider

    drysider Active Member

    Joined:
    Apr 14, 2008
    823
    332
    1
    Location:
    Liberty Lake WA
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    If you use the vent control to turn on the defogger, that is normal. If you look at the icon, you will see that it shows both the windshield and a down arrow. If you use the separate defog button, it should only put air on the windshield.
     
    Mendel Leisk likes this.
  3. Sándor

    Sándor New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 18, 2016
    6
    2
    0
    Location:
    Hungary
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    I'm talking about when I use the separated defogger button. In the Toyota service they are not able to tell me how much will be the repair, and how long will it take...But I guess it will probably cost more than I can easily pay...
    I disassembled the dashboard as much as I could alone.
    There are three servos, one is set te internal circulation/outside airflow (it works). The second is the main airflow control servo, it moves when I push the "mode" button (but I guess, in the defogger setting it stops before the right position). And there is the third servo, which was on the picture, this looks like moving some kind of a shutter in the bottom inside the airflow box, but is not moves any of the air condition setting (including the plasma cluster turned on/off)
    I hope this is the reason and solution of my problem, because it is easy to replace. If the main control servo fails, it would be a hard to change, because it is behind the blower fan, and the whole aircontition box removal is needed to replace. This should be done in the Toyota service for a lot of money.
    Here are more photos I shot from the leg's airflow shutter:
    Legs only mode: IMG_4963.JPG
    Upper body only mode: IMG_4964.JPG
    Defogger only mode (NOT legs ang defogger): IMG_4966.JPG
    I have no picture when it set on the legs and gefogger together but the shutter is ca 1 cm (half inch) upper than you can see in this picture.
     
  4. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    55,490
    38,687
    80
    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    It'd be nice if it did offer windshield only via the Mode button, but yeah, that's how it is. Our 80's and 90's econoboxes had it. And direct, tactile controls.
     
  5. Sándor

    Sándor New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 18, 2016
    6
    2
    0
    Location:
    Hungary
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    I think it's better on a separated button. Because if you need fast defog the windshield you don't need to push many times the mode button, and activate the A/C etc etc. Most cases in winter time I use it's auto function...
     
    ReDave likes this.
  6. ReDave

    ReDave Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 27, 2011
    79
    23
    0
    Location:
    Central California, Sierra/Sequoia Foothills
    Vehicle:
    2019 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Advanced
    agreed!
     
  7. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    55,490
    38,687
    80
    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    I like the dedicated hells-a-popping front defog button, but it'd be nice to have a front windshield-only mode button too, ie, a regular mode directs all air flow to the windshield. Like any typical 80's econobox:

    upload_2016-9-21_12-0-28.png
     
  8. Sándor

    Sándor New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 18, 2016
    6
    2
    0
    Location:
    Hungary
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    Thanks for these memories, but we are going off topic...
    The question is what those servos controll in the Prius's air condition?
     
  9. Sándor

    Sándor New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 18, 2016
    6
    2
    0
    Location:
    Hungary
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    I think I found the answer to my question. This servo probably the air mix (hot/cold air) servo.
     
  10. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    55,490
    38,687
    80
    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    It's odd: the repair manual seems to show a windshield-only mode (or is it the dedicated front defog button with forced AC use). Anyway, maybe this pics will help.
     

    Attached Files:

  11. Sándor

    Sándor New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 18, 2016
    6
    2
    0
    Location:
    Hungary
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    Thank for this sheet. As I see, my air flow control servo has a malfunction, it stops in the wrong position in defogger mode. Oh sh*t, it will be an expensive repair...
     
    Mendel Leisk likes this.