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Inverter/Converter part number doesn't match VIN

Discussion in 'Prius v Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by 0xadam, Oct 16, 2018.

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  1. 0xadam

    0xadam New Member

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    A couple of weeks ago my 2012 Prius V broke down, and after getting it looked at at the local Toyota dealer they said that the hybrid inverter/converter had failed and that it would need to be replaced. I was quoted about ~4.5k AUD for a genuine replacement, but the dealer also said I they would install a second hand part if I could find one at the wreckers.

    The original part number of the inverter/converter was G9200-47162 (see photo below), however the dealer said parts G9200-29015, G9200-49035 and G9200-49056 would also work.

    Inverter Converter.jpg

    When calling wreckers to ask if they had a suitable inverter/converter, they always asked for the VIN number, and so instead of giving them the part numbers I just gave them that, figuring that would be fine as they could match correct parts based on that.

    I manged to find a part at a wreckers, however its part number (G9200-47220) didn't match any of those provided by the Toyota dealer. The guy at the wreckers insisted however that given the VIN and the VIN of the vehicle it was coming from it would definitely work.

    I got the part to Toyota, but after fitting it they informed me that the car still would not start and it was due to the inverter/converter fitted not being the correct part.

    I called the guy from the wreckers who called Toyota and had a chat with them, explaining that the part should have worked as the VINs were considered compatible. Toyota seemed to think that the inverter/converter that was originally installed had a part number that was incompatible with the VIN of the car, but somehow still worked. In my mind however it seems that my Prius has a VIN which doesn't match this part somehow, given that the other compatible part didn't work. Are either of these things even remotely possible?

    I am a bit confused as to where to go from here and would really appreciate any advice anyone has or any ideas as to what is going on.

    Thanks!
     
    #1 0xadam, Oct 16, 2018
  2. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    I would go with Toyota’s list of which part number would work and not buy into the wreckers (we call them junk yards) story. I think the wreckers should replace or refund.
     
    #2 rjparker, Oct 16, 2018
  3. Air_Boss

    Air_Boss Senior Member

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    Not if or how Toyota in OZ is handling the inverter problems that have thrown Recalls and extended warranties in the US, but it may be worth inquiring.
     
    #3 Air_Boss, Oct 16, 2018
  4. Elektroingenieur

    Elektroingenieur Senior Member

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    I couldn’t find that part number in any version of Toyota’s Electronic Parts Catalog (EPC) that I checked. The most likely reason is that it’s a production part number, not available to order through Toyota’s service parts distribution system, so it wouldn’t be listed in the catalog.
    If the dealer reached this conclusion only by checking the part number against the EPC or an equivalent, they may be confused. The EPC is intended to find part numbers to order from Toyota as replacements, not to determine what parts the factory should have used when building the car. The fact that an originally-installed part may be marked with a number that isn’t in the EPC has no particular significance.
    I’d agree as to G9200-49035 and G9200-49056 (and its predecessor G9200-49055), but not necessarily as to G9200-29015, which the EPC says is used only on cars made in April 2015 or later. It might well work, but it doesn’t seem to be listed officially as a substitute for 2012 cars.
    That number also doesn’t seem to be listed in the EPC, so I’m not sure what vehicles it might be used with. A Google search finds, for example, an eBay listing for one that the seller claims was removed from a 2013 Prius v.
    That may well be, though it’s possible that the part you received was just faulty.
    That’s a good point. I would hope that the dealer would have said if the inverter replacement were covered under a recall or service campaign in Australia, but it’s reasonable to ask. Some of the U.S. recalls for similar models have covered replacement of inverters that were damaged.
     
    #4 Elektroingenieur, Oct 17, 2018
  5. 0xadam

    0xadam New Member

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    Thanks for your help guys! The dealer was in contact with the guy we got the part off and it sounds like they might be able to use it still, so we will see what happens.

    True - I'll make sure to ask the dealer about any sort of recalls when I hear from them

    I had no idea that there were production parts that may not be available in the EPC - that's good to know and clears up some of the confusion I think! I'll also make sure to look for at least G9200-49035, G9200-49056, and G9200-49055 if we need to get another part because this one turns out to be faulty.
     
    #5 0xadam, Oct 17, 2018
    Elektroingenieur likes this.
  6. STEPHEN CARMICHAEL

    STEPHEN CARMICHAEL New Member

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    How did you get on with a second hand inverter? Where you able to get a list of which part numbers you could use? I'm in same situation with a Prius plus
     
    #6 STEPHEN CARMICHAEL, Jan 7, 2022
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