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AC making this noise and not blowing cold after belt replacement

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Cwal, May 24, 2019.

  1. Cwal

    Cwal New Member

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    The only error code that came up was 21 which I’ve seen mentioned as the solar sensor and not much to worry about. However, the AC is only blowing hot air and is now making a noise as if something is caught in a fan. The sound is most audible when the glove compartment is out and I’m staring at where the cabin air filter is inserted. It was not making this sound before the AC belt was replaced at the dealership (see other thread). I’m not well versed on AC systems, does anyone know what might be causing this sound? I attempted to attach a video but the site told me it has an improper file extension (.mov).

    Thank you for your input!
     
  2. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    Take the cabin air filter out and stick your hand in there. You might have a leaf or a piece of paper in the fan blades.

    If the cabin air filter is dirty, you should replace it at the same time.
     
  3. Cwal

    Cwal New Member

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    Thank you for the reply! I have done that and haven’t found anything in there. The air filter itself was just replaced last week.

     
  4. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    You checked the belt looks ok, seems to be running normally?
     

    Attached Files:

  5. Cwal

    Cwal New Member

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    What I’m observing is that it appears to be running normally when I start the car, but then it simply stops though the AC is still turned on.
     
  6. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    Is this a Gen 2? Those don't have A/C belts, do they?
     
  7. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    The most simple explanation to this is the car is overheating. When the car gets too hot, it shuts down it's functions. That's why the car blows cold air when you start it, then it stops blowing cold. This often happens with a failed inverter pump

    Other than the belt that was replaced, what else did the dealer do? I would think you would have some dash warning lights come on when the AC starts blowing warm.
     
  8. MickyMatter

    MickyMatter Active Member

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    Correct!
    Gen 2 has an electric A/C compressor.
    The belt drives only the water pump for the engine coolant.

    SM-G950F ?
     
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  9. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Yeah, guilty of conflation lol. No AC compressor pulley in this pic, from my attachment above:

    upload_2019-5-24_15-1-46.png
     
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  10. Cwal

    Cwal New Member

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    They replaced the hybrid battery and the water pump. To be clear, it is not blowing cold air at all. The Maintenance required light did just start coming on at ignition. I just picked up the car from them two days ago and have only driven it today. When I picked it up it was blowing hot air. The diagnostics from another dealership and from them said that there were no leaks in the AC system- their explanation was that one must have sprung up in unfortunate timing after the diagnostics. They said that they did find one and would run $2k. I asked to speak to a manager who changed the story, saying that they didn’t find a leak but found dye in the system that showed someone had been looking for a leak at some point. They recharged the AC and it worked for two days. The noise however is new. I can’t help but believe that they are responsible.

     
  11. Cwal

    Cwal New Member

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    Yes, you are correct, they said AC belt and it stuck in my head. I just double checked the invoice and it is quoted as the drive belt.

     
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  12. Skibob

    Skibob Senior Member

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    Where is the system leaking from?
     
  13. Cwal

    Cwal New Member

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    They ended up saying that they didn’t find a leak. If it is, I do not know.

     
  14. Skibob

    Skibob Senior Member

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    You said in the other thread they added Freon. If they did and it worked but now it doesn’t you probably have a leak. You can check the sight glass to see if Freon is circulating. I think @Mendel Leisk posted how to do it recently.
     
    #14 Skibob, May 24, 2019
    Last edited: May 24, 2019
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  15. Cwal

    Cwal New Member

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    I will check that out, thank you! Do you know if that would stop the drive belt from working?

     
  16. Skibob

    Skibob Senior Member

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    You have a brand new drive belt is it not working? If it’s not turn the car off immediately. 3 things that come to mind are your new water pump is defective, the idler pulley is seized or the belt was not adjusted correctly
     
  17. Cwal

    Cwal New Member

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    It runs when I start the car and then stops a moment later.
     
  18. Skibob

    Skibob Senior Member

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    The drive belt? It should be going any time the engine is running and should be stopped when the engine is stopped. Are you saying the belt is stopping while the engine is still running?
     
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  19. Cwal

    Cwal New Member

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    Yes. That is exactly what I am saying.

    Since this was just replaced, am I right to assume that it is an error on the part of the service center? What other damage can this cause?

    QUOTE="Skibob, post: 2893634, member: 168247"]The drive belt? That’s bad. It should be going any time the engine is running and should be stopped when the engine is stopped. Are you saying the belt is stopping while the engine is still running?[/QUOTE]
     
  20. Skibob

    Skibob Senior Member

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    [/QUOTE]
    I would call the dealers service dept and tell them what’s going on. Don’t start the car, don’t drive the car. If that belt is not turning the entire time the engine is running you can overheat the engine. That belt drives only 1 thing. The main engine water pump.
     
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