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P1121 & B1421 w/ photos attached. 1-2 weeks after Inverter Pump Rplcmnt

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Blackwing, Jun 12, 2017.

  1. Blackwing

    Blackwing Member

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    Just had my inverter pump replaced on May 31st after noticing P0A93. Link to that thread is here:

    "Triangle of death", ABS, and check engine lights. | PriusChat



    Now I got these two error codes all of a sudden today. Looks like the valve costs about ~$75.00 on eBay. From what I read this sounds common after the electric inverter pump has been replaced. People report P1121 after about 1 week.

    The car drove o.k. after the light turned on. Although I think my engine would run at lower speeds. I idled the car at Dunkin Donuts with the AC on. It's 90 degrees outside today.

    My main question though if this absolutely must be fixed, do I need another gallon of Super Long Life Coolant? And what are the general thoughts? Thanks as always guys.





    IMG_6632.JPG IMG_6630.JPG IMG_6631.JPG IMG_6633.JPG IMG_6634.JPG sensor1.png sensor2.png sensor3.jpg IMG_6632.JPG IMG_6630.JPG IMG_6631.JPG IMG_6633.JPG IMG_6634.JPG
     
  2. Blackwing

    Blackwing Member

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    Is my coolant too low? I gave my mechanic one (1) gallon of Super Long Life for the Inverter Pump Replacement. I assume he fixed it correctly because the car drove fine all last week. It got really hot and humid outside though these past two days.

    Finally, how drivable is a car with these two error codes?
     
    #2 Blackwing, Jun 12, 2017
    Last edited: Jun 12, 2017
  3. hchu1

    hchu1 Active Member

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    The solar sensor, did you diagnose in a garage or carport? If yes to both, that can set it off, non issue, ignore. It's not sensing any sunlight.

    The coolant control valve is not critical, in the sense of immediate action. I replaced my unit about 2 months ago, after it had lit my check engine light numerous times over the course of 6-8 months. The cel light will go off and on until you replace it. For peace of mind replace sooner than later. When that cel light comes on you never know if it is something really important or just that old cc valve playing hide and seek with you.

    As far as additional coolant, your mechanic will just pinch the lines, if he is careful he shouldn't loose more than a couple of tablespoonfuls.
     
  4. Blackwing

    Blackwing Member

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    thanks for the reply!

    I diagnosed it under a tree today. For some reason I felt more comfortable parking my car in the shade as the last thing that was done was coolant-related, ~10 days ago.

    Is this a common problem after the Inverter Coolant Pump has been replaced? A friend has recommended to use Mishimoto Liquid Chill coolant rather than Toyota's Super Long Life Coolant. He thinks that the filling of the coolant had air in the system so it cavitated into the valve, causing valve failure.
     
  5. hchu1

    hchu1 Active Member

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    I don't recall the 2 having an issue related in such a way. I think that the age of the valve is the issue. The valve is just that, it opens and closes, not constantly like a pump motor. The valve usually gets stuck partially open and sets the cel.
     
    #5 hchu1, Jun 12, 2017
    Last edited: Jun 12, 2017
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  6. m.wynn

    m.wynn Senior Member

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    The inverter coolant loop and the engine coolant loop are two separate, sealed circuits. The inverter pump job won't have affected the coolant level in your engine (3-way valve) loop, assuming mechanic competence. The fact that yours, or anyone else's 3-way valve failed following inverter pump failure is coincidental in timing but unrelated.

    Although the Mishimoto may be a quality product, I'd stick strictly to Toyota SLLC in any Toyota coolant loop. As hchu1 states, the valves stick partially open and are pretty much a guaranteed failure at some point in any Gen 2 Prius' life cycle.
     
  7. Blackwing

    Blackwing Member

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    Fantastic response. Thank you wynn and hchu
     
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  8. Blackwing

    Blackwing Member

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    Is it your opinion safe to drive with the CEL still up on the dash? Just not long distances? I have heard of reports of people driving it for a year like that.
     
  9. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    A solid CEL is usually an emissions related error, bad for the environment but usually safe to drive
     
  10. andrewclaus

    andrewclaus Active Member

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    In my opinion, the main risk of driving with the MIL illuminated is the failure to see a new code. For P1121, sometimes you may not get cabin heat, but I can hear you chuckling about that right now.

    I agree there's no connection with the inverter pump.
     
  11. m.wynn

    m.wynn Senior Member

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    Agree with JC and andrewclaus entirely.

    The only real issue with never replacing the 3-way valve may or may not be passing state inspection, depending on state. It won't hurt the car and a no heat episode can typically be rectified by powering the car off and then readying again. Ask me how I know....although I only procrastinated the repair for about 6 months.
     
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  12. Blackwing

    Blackwing Member

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    Guys look! I just drove it and the CEL is now off. It's so hot today though! 93 degrees, 37% humidity.

    It's playing hide-and-seek with me seems like. I don't understand though because what is happening to the valve itself? Does this not mean the valve will continue to be in a stuck-halfway position? Does that not mess with the coolant flow throughout the car?





    FullSizeRender.jpg
     
  13. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    You should check your radiator fluid level when the car's cool. It may be low.

    Also sometimes with a CEL going on and off, it's a symptom of a failing catalytic converter
     
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  14. Blackwing

    Blackwing Member

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    Could you review the freeze frame data I had attached? Does this tell us any significant? If you need those images blown up, lmk.
     
  15. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    The freeze frames you have are specific to your p1121 code. You should do a complete health check and then see what codes are present.
     
  16. Blackwing

    Blackwing Member

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    Sounds familiar. That's a direct option within TechStream?
     
  17. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    Yes, that's usually on the first screen when you run the program.
     
  18. Blackwing

    Blackwing Member

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    Do you see the coolant line at all anywhere in the image? Maybe I can try cleaning the outside first to enhance visibility. Am I allowed to unscrew the cap on this tank without any air problems/risk?

    In reference to image #2 is this what you meant by Health Check? No health check button on TechStream.

    Image #3 shows no Customize button either (little off-topic).





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    IMG_6733.JPG IMG_6734.JPG
     
  19. andrewclaus

    andrewclaus Active Member

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    [QUOTE="Blackwing, post: 2556601, member: 154064]...Does that not mess with the coolant flow throughout the car?[/QUOTE]

    No, it does not. The coolant heat recovery system is a "side arm" off the engine coolant system. All it does is pump a liter or two of hot water through the throttle body and engine block before starting. It hardly seems worth the trouble when you need to fix it.
     
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  20. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    The reservoir looks empty. The plastic cap just pulls off, no unscrewing necessary.

    Also check the fluid level in the radiator, since the overflow reservoir is empty.
     
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