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Prius 2006 - Inverter Failure?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Friendlyx, Jun 14, 2018.

  1. Friendlyx

    Friendlyx Member

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    Hey everyone! I have a Prius 2006 and I'm currently on a road trip. Basically, we were lost and sat on the side of the freeway for 30 minutes with the AC on full. After we switched to drive and started pulling out, we got the red triangle And check engine. A second later we noticed the AC go down significantly!

    Then I have an OBD scanner for gas tracking and it showed up as code P0A93. Which says it's inverter "A" cooling system performance. The car has 145k miles and just before leaving I replaced the water pump. The car is at the mechanic but they said it's going to take 24 hours to figure out what's wrong. Any thoughts? Could it be the inverter pump? If so, how much should I expect it to cost?
     
  2. audiodave

    audiodave Active Member

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    Could be the inverter pump. Sitting for that long with ac on would have heated things up.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
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  3. audiodave

    audiodave Active Member

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    How did it drive after that? Lights stay on or did you shut it down?

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
  4. Friendlyx

    Friendlyx Member

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    We drove about 3 minutes for 35, until we found a side road. The lights stayed on even after we pulled over. The car started to put it into the tow truck.
     
  5. audiodave

    audiodave Active Member

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    Wonder if it just was hot from sitting. As long as coolant was circulating, driving and air flow would have cooled it down. Was the fan turning on and off while sitting?

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
  6. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    It's the inverter pump, losing AC is a sure symptom of that failure
     
  7. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    Where are you stranded on your road trip?

    Are you where you wanted to be and have flexibility to order a pump from say Amazon?

    This code points to the inverter water pump, so that’s what I’d look to do.

    The cost depends on how you want to approach it: drain the coolant and replace the pump and coolant is one way but more cost than pinching off the lines, replacing the pump then putting in a couple of ounces.

    Good luck and keep us posted (y).
     
  8. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    Ray mention a great idea with Amazon or just getting the part at AutoZone or something. Takes an hour with a simple socket set and hose pinch clamps.
     
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  9. Friendlyx

    Friendlyx Member

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    We are in Florida :( sadly. It's been one heck of the day, and the mechanic we took it to, I'm sure has no idea what he's doing. We are doing a round the country and we're supposed to leave for North Carolina today. The mechanic keeps saying he has to look at the whole electrical system and stuff. Do you know anyone reliable in Orlando Florida?
     
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  10. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    So your outside of Orlando?

    What mechanic are you using?

    Would you be willing to call Todd at Tampa Prius and work with him?

    He might have some local leads that could help.

    One thing to note if it is the inverter water pump is you can drive with it for short distances to another shop;).

    Good luck and keep us posted (y).
     
    #10 Raytheeagle, Jun 14, 2018
    Last edited: Jun 14, 2018
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  11. Friendlyx

    Friendlyx Member

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    I'm in Orlando itself, I was able to get AAA to pull us in. I'm staying in a hotel ATM. I'm using Lancaster Auto & Tire in Orlando. Would their be any damage to the car if it is the pump? Anyway to know for sure if it's the pump?
     
  12. Friendlyx

    Friendlyx Member

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    I looked on AutoZone and couldn't find it. Anything in particular I should look for?
     
  13. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    To verify if it's the pump (the code is pointing you there), open the inverter coolant reservoir and see if there turbulence in the fluid when the car is running. No turbulence would mean pump is not working
     
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  14. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    The part you need is the inverter pump for 2004 to 2009 prius.

    If you buy a simple socket set with 10mm socket, maybe a 10mm wrench and Phillips screw driver, you can do it.

    1. Slip off the bumper cover (clips, and 10mm bolt

    2. Remove drivers headlight (3 10mm or 12mm bolt)

    3. The pump will be right in front of you. Clamp off the hoses and unbolt it 3 10mm nuts

    You won't lose much coolant if you're clamping the hoses, top off with some distilled water if you want

    YouTube has videos for reference
     
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  15. ITBland

    ITBland Active Member

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    IF it is the Inverter pump, AutoZone shows Duralast and Dorman parts in stock at some stores.
    Duralast: Part Number: 41503E Alternate Part Number: AWP-2382. Price: $146.99
    Dorman: Part Number: 601-015 Price: $164.99
    Both have limited lifetime warranty
    When you search for "Water Pump" read the descriptions, the first 4 or 5 are the ICE water pump, the last two say:
    • Notes: To Inverter
      Hybrid Drive Cooling Pump
     
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  16. ITBland

    ITBland Active Member

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    If the mechanic uses NAPA,
    Hybrid Vehicle Inverter Cooling Pump
    PART # : NOE 73177491. PRODUCT LINE : NAPA Solutions
    (Call for availability)
     
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  17. ITBland

    ITBland Active Member

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    But, as JC said above, put the car in Run mode, in Park with parking brake set, and look in the Inverter coolant (the small one) reservoir for turbulence. It will look almost like it is boiling.
     
  18. audiodave

    audiodave Active Member

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    You could probably ask the shop that has it to look for you if the reservoir has turbulence.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
  19. Friendlyx

    Friendlyx Member

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    Just an update: mechanic called and said that the pump in fact isn't working. Hwoever, he told me that he also saw that the electric system isn't giving power to the pump itself. He said he doesn't know why. He also claimed we have to replace two pumps? The inverter and heat? What's the chances all that happened?
     
  20. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    Slim to none. Rip off alert
     
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