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Heat tempurature changes dramatically

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by eleach669, Nov 9, 2012.

  1. eleach669

    eleach669 New Member

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    Has anyone noticed or have any ideas why the tempurature in the car goes from sometimes not nearly warm enough to feel like your face is baking in the oven? Michigan cold weather...BTW

    Looking for any ideas how to get this more stable....

    Thanks!
     
    #1 eleach669, Nov 9, 2012
  2. PriusGuy32

    PriusGuy32 Prius Driver Extraordinaire

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    Welcome fellow Michigander :D Make sure to fill out the location in your profile when you get a chance.

    I haven't noticed any temperature swings in the cabin of my 2007.

    I always keep the heat on the floor setting and when I first leave my driveway, I have it on max (HI) temperature but with the fan on the 2nd or 3rd setting. Once it starts getting warm, I reduce the heater temperature to 73 degrees and leave it there.
     
    #2 PriusGuy32, Nov 9, 2012
  3. eleach669

    eleach669 New Member

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    It's my wives car. I have noticed it as well. The heat seems to change. Going to check the filter behind the glove box just to be safe as it cause complete wack on my a/c in my truck this last summer being clogged up.

    The air from the vents does indeed change tempurature, but it is a hybrid. I mean to keep constant control on heat seems to require constant flow of coolant from the engine which is not always on....

    Also any ideas how/why/what about the settings for fresh air or recycle? Drives her nuts to get behind a smoker and suddenly realize shes back to fresh air and sucking up fumes/cigarette smoke from the car in front of her.

    Thanks!
     
    #3 eleach669, Nov 9, 2012
  4. PriusGuy32

    PriusGuy32 Prius Driver Extraordinaire

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    There is a pump that pumps hot coolant constantly when its being called for. And when the engine falls below a certain temperature (154?) the ICE kicks on to heat the coolant back up. Toyota also employs small electric cabin heaters that turn on when you ask for max temperature heat. Not to mention the Prius uses a thermos to store hot coolant so the next time you start it, the engine has a boost on being warmed up.

    Definitely check/change the cabin air filter.

    On the steering wheel and the climate control screen, there is a recirculate button so your wife doesnt have the problem with stink coming in the vehicle.

    Small temperature swings Im sure are normal but large ones?? Houston, your Prius might have a problem...lol

    Curious, where in Michigan are you? Im in Harrison Township :cool:
     
    #4 PriusGuy32, Nov 9, 2012
  5. eleach669

    eleach669 New Member

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    Kalamazoo area.

    Definetly going to check out the filter. Such an overlooked item..... I was lucky the owner came in when I had my truck at the shop. His son was just going to fill me up and then troubleshoot. Would have costed me over $1000.00 but the boss looked over all lines in coolant system and noticed frosting on a pipe and checked airflow and said he was sure my filter was clogged. Went right from there to Autozone and paid 16 or 17 bucks for new one. Came home and changed and its still an ice box! So glad he showed up!!!

    Of course the dealer is a real treat to work with. Complained about headlamp within 3 weeks of getting car and took them 5 months to "reproduce" it. Then wanted almost $500.00 to replace the HID bulbs. Had to call up the corporate ladder to inform them that between the paper trail and the class action lawsuit against Toyota over them that if anything happened ever that it would be a slam dunk for a lawyer that just passed the bar exam the day before.... That got me the headlamps done the next day for the warranty deductible of $100.00 Wonder what lie they worked up to the warranty company to cover the charge... lol
     
    #5 eleach669, Nov 9, 2012
  6. PriusGuy32

    PriusGuy32 Prius Driver Extraordinaire

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    Just so you know (Congrats on getting the dealer to man up btw!) the Phillips D4R bulbs (same exact ones Toyota uses) are about $43 on amazon with free shipping. It takes about 20 minutes to replace both bulbs. They WILL burn out again so be prepared next time to DIY for less aggravation and money.
     
    #6 PriusGuy32, Nov 9, 2012
  7. eleach669

    eleach669 New Member

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    Yah, I pointed that out as well. Noting that if I did it wrong that they would likely still be liable. Just better that they do any work so the warranty company has no excuses to bail on a legite claim...:)
     
    #7 eleach669, Nov 9, 2012
    PriusGuy32 likes this.
  8. eleach669

    eleach669 New Member

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    Hey PriusGuy.... Do you notice a slight flicker when your headlights 1st come on? Assuming you have the HID lamps as well.

    Thanks...
     
    #8 eleach669, Nov 15, 2012
  9. PriusGuy32

    PriusGuy32 Prius Driver Extraordinaire

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    YES!!! And when Im at a red light and behind a car, I can see my drivers side flickering slightly.

    I should add that I bought my car in September. The previous owners had the leveler and bulbs replaced at the dealer under warranty about 2 years ago. My driver side bulb was going out on its own the first night I had the car so I know I need at least a drivers side bulb (best to replace them in pairs right). Im going to wait until the drivers side completely gives up the ghost and then replace both bulbs.
     
    #9 PriusGuy32, Nov 15, 2012
  10. eleach669

    eleach669 New Member

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    Ok. Wife was wondering about that. It only does it on start, then stays steady. I know there is some kind of ballast in there and figured it's a bit of flicker from it firing the bulbs. Both sides do it for about 1/2 a second.

    Thanks!

    Let me know how the new ones work out when you do them!
     
    #10 eleach669, Nov 15, 2012
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