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HV nd ECU

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Technical Discussion' started by haider, Jul 13, 2013.

  1. haider

    haider Junior Member

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    I was driving my car fine suddenly ac stopped cooling nd these signs appeared. I am uploading the pictures. Please help if anyone can.
     

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  2. Britprius

    Britprius Senior Member

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    Although I cannot read what is on the screen, there are two things I can suggest, if you can answer the questions below.
    (1) Have you had work carried out on the A/C recently?
    (2) Can you see turbulence in the inverter coolant tank when the car is made ready? This is the white plastic container between the engine and the large silver painted box, with red/pink fluid inside.

    John (Britprius)
     
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  3. haider

    haider Junior Member

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    No. I haven't done anything related to AC for a long time. I will check for turbelence and will post asap. This one is different than the coolant which runs in radiator and keep the engine cool?
     
  4. Britprius

    Britprius Senior Member

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    Yes it is a separate coolant loop to the engine it has it's own radiator and electric pump, but uses the same type of coolant. "Toyota supper long life coolant" SLLC.
    You should see strong fluid movement in the container with the car made "ready" and if you listen carefully behind the passengers side headlamp you should hear it running. Let me know.

    John (Britprius)
     
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  5. haider

    haider Junior Member

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    I just checked it and there is no turbulence in the container when I put the car to ready mode. Yes there was some vibration later when engine started but I suppose it was because of the vibration of the engine.
     
  6. Britprius

    Britprius Senior Member

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    If your car has the EV switch pressing this will stop the engine from starting. Did you listen for the pump running and if so did you hear it.

    John (Britprius)
     
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  7. haider

    haider Junior Member

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    This time I put the car in EV mode. There is a very light very dim squeaking noise but I don't think that there is any sound which marks running of a pump. You can say its like 1/100 times the sound u hear from a machine that shows a patient is dead. I don't have any other way to express the sound.
     
  8. Britprius

    Britprius Senior Member

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    If there is no movement in the fluid assuming there is fluid in the container and you cannot reasonably hear the pump, it is the pump that has failed. This causes the inverter to overheat it then shuts down anything that uses power from it starting with the A/C and then the 12 volt charging system. The best way to check the pump is by removal t see if it will pump water with a 12 volt supply. However I am reasonably certain this is your problem.

    John (Britprius)
     
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  9. haider

    haider Junior Member

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    So in this case, my 12 v will also eventually die as the 12v charging system is stopped as well? Now i need to find a way to remove the inverter pump and check it with 12 v and water? And if it is found guilty, i will have to replace or it can be repaired? Please tell me if you know or you can check with your mechanic? This pump is specific and rare? and also tell me if this problem is common in prius operating in warm climate? And replacing the inverter will remove the codes automatically or i will have to reset the battery or anything like that? Some one suggested that i should reset the terminals and it might go away but as you have suggested there is a problem quite certainly diagnosed by the absence of turbulence so i shouldnt take such a risk?
     
  10. Britprius

    Britprius Senior Member

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    After the inverter cools down the inverter will start working again, and will charge the 12 volt battery again. Disconnecting the 12 volt battery for ten minutes will clear the fault codes.
    The reason I asked about if you had work done on the A/C is because the Prius uses a special oil in the system (ND11) but if ordinary PAG oil is used this causes the compressor to short circuit to chassis needing the complete A/C system to be cleaned out or replaced along with a new compressor. Very expensive!!

    The coolant pump is specific to the Prius but I would think any 12 volt dc pump that pumped the fluid round would work, but I would obtain the correct part. It cannot be repaired.

    John (Britprius)
     
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  11. haider

    haider Junior Member

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    Let me tell you the history. I have imported this car from Japan in year 2012 and i have drove it for like 20k kms here in my city. The car has been perfect since, i have just done 4 engine oil changing at 5000km each with engine oil filter and air filter every time that's it. The car has has hit the 200,000 km mark and is now at 205,xxx kms. AC is perfect since i have got this car. All i did was few weeks ago when i went to the service station, i got the condenser washed from the front with water and thats very normal with all cars as i got some insects stuck when i got back from the highway. So i dont think that A/C has been touched for an year...i wonder if anything was done to it in Japan or if it was refurbished there...and i have idea with local cars how much a compressor costs alone along with the complete A/C system...
    So talking about the correct part, do you have any idea how much it costs? i will have to check if i can get it easily from the auto parts market or any toyota dealership...otherwise i think i will have to get it from some other country...just thinking aloud. I will have to see the part number or code? Can i get the pump out myself or i will need a mechanic to do it right for me? I asked you if this invertor pump issue is common in 2nd gen prius? i have a 2007... and any specific reasons for thsi fault? or just the outside heat? i am concerned about the future...
     
  12. Britprius

    Britprius Senior Member

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    The pump is a very common failure on the gen2 Prius and has been the subject of two recalls by Toyota for free replacement.
    I had my own replaced 3 months ago. I did not have any problems with it, and my car had done
    90,000 miles, but Toyota replaced it free of charge anyway.
    Unfortunately because your car is an import they will not replace it free for you.
    The most difficult part of changing the pump is getting the air out of the system and you should use the correct Toyota coolant (Toyota SLLC) but this is used in all Toyotas so should be know problem to get for you.
    The Pump can be seen down behind the passengers headlamp. It is called "the inverter coolant pump"

    John (Britrius)
     
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  13. haider

    haider Junior Member

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    I am wondering that changing the pump will lead to waste of the coolant in use and after replacing the pump, coolant has to put in from the scratch. I will keep in mind to use Toyata SLLC. Or the coolant is drained first and is used again after replacement of the pump. I have seen the pump, its location and its replacement on youtube. Yes i have read online too that Toyota is doing it free of cost for every car from 2004 to mid 2007 models. I dont have the correct tools to get the pump out. Dont want to ruin the screws in an attempt to open them with unmatched tools. I cant thank you enough for all the support and guidance. I got this car as i love its technology and i imported it but now my father is really mad at me as i am not finding the spare parts and trained people to deal with this techy machine. I think Toyota dealership is my last resort.
     
  14. Britprius

    Britprius Senior Member

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    They are now changing pumps on 2009 cars. Good luck and let us know how you get on.

    John (Britprius)
     
  15. haider

    haider Junior Member

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    I got my car scanned today. You were absolutely spot on and it was the inverter pump fail..PA093... it is costing me around 12k rs = 120USD + 8USD labor and if i change the coolant SLLC i think it would be another 30-40 USD. If i buy it online and get it shipped it is expected to cost me around 110USD. At stealership the price is 180 USD and labor is 60-70 USD + coolant charges. The scanner was able to remove the code and i dont have any code right now but the pump is not working for sure. And inverter will get heated again and will again get the code. Do you think there is any way i can get it done under Limited Service Campaign?
     
  16. Britprius

    Britprius Senior Member

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    You can ask your Toyota agent nicely if they could get Toyota to help with the cost but there is no guarantee, but worth a try.
    Do not use the car "a short journey is ok" as with no cooling you could destroy the inverter and that is a lot of money $3000 + labour. Living in the UK prices here are in UK pounds so it is difficult for me to give accurate prices because of tax differences and import duties.
    If I can be of more help just ask.

    John (Britprius)
     
  17. haider

    haider Junior Member

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    I emailed Toyota but no reply and my local dealer behaved like stealership. they asked around 180 USd for the part and around 70 usd as the labour total of 250 USD. So i got the new pump from the market and the code for that part; the code of the new one which is being replaced for around USD 93 converted from my currency and 7 usd for the labour and it was changed and now my car and i are living happily after with the fear and hope that it doesnt mess around again. I would like your suggestion on the issue that should i go for the 3rd gen? 2009 or 2010 model? Any major faults or issue with the 3rd gen prius? Keeping in mind that after import i am on my own with the car...
     
  18. Britprius

    Britprius Senior Member

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    There are some improvements on the gen3 Prius that increase the fuel economy by around 5mpg. However from some reports reliability seems to have suffered slightly. I think the car looks better on the outside than the gen2 but I do not like the bridge on the dashboard as this seems to intrude on the interior space, but this of course is subjective.

    John (Britprius)
     
  19. usbseawolf2000

    usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD

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    If you can't get it covered under the SSC (recall), $160-$180 is not bad. Just make sure the inverter did not overheat and die. That'll cost you about $3,000, if I recall.