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Cabin Blower stopped

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by noisebeam, Jan 9, 2014.

  1. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    Location:
    Green Valley, AZ
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
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    Two
    Yes, you usually can get used Prius ECUs very cheaply because they are highly reliable and there isn't much demand.

    For the sake of community knowledge, please install the A/C amplifier first, and see what the waveform output looks like. It would be great if you could take some sharp photos of the scope trace before and after replacement; as well as photos of the A/C amp and BMC locations, and post them.

    I would have expected you would pay at least 3-4 labor hours for this repair at a dealer, and you would end up paying for one or both units at full MSRP or even a price marked up beyond that, depending upon locale.

    "Mr Noisebeam, we followed the Toyota repair manual troubleshooting instructions which identified the A/C amplifier as the faulty device, so we want your approval to replace it."

    Then, a day later: "Mr Noisebeam, the problem persists and we now believe the blower motor controller has failed so we want your approval to replace it. No, electronic parts are not accepted for return. No, we are repairing your car on a time and materials basis so you get to bear the risk for any parts incorrectly diagnosed. However we are working on your car in good faith, don't worry."
     
  2. noisebeam

    noisebeam Junior Member

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    I will report back. I may go silent for a week or more (waiting for parts and for time to work on it) but I will give an update. I'll take photos too.
    As to the potential dealer costs - that is great summary for my wife ;)
     
  3. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    Location:
    Green Valley, AZ
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Sometimes, a wife needs a gentle reminder regarding the value that her husband can contribute.
     
  4. noisebeam

    noisebeam Junior Member

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    Location:
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    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
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    Two
    I ordered an AC ECU and BMC for $60 total with shipping on Jan-22 and the package arrived today.

    Thinking I wanted to swap the AC amp first, I started to tear apart the lower console cover, got it off and found more parts in the way of the AC ECU with no obvious way to get that in the way stuff out of the way.

    So I took the easy route and unplugged the old BMC and without installing the 'new' one plugged it in. Took less than a minute.

    Cha-ching! It fixed the problem. (prize to Britprius ;) )

    I could even let the new one hang there deep under the dash and leave the old, but that would be sloppy. So I'll swap them proper later this evening, although reaching the mounting screws will take some contortions for my 6'3" frame. [Edit: Also finished the physical install. dropped a screw behind the carpet and had to pull that up, doh. Also the BMC needs to be properly installed as its heat sink is recessed into an open cut away in the A/C duct so it gets airflow to keep it coo.l]

    Frankly if I'd known that the AC ECU and BMC were only $60 I'd have ordered them right away instead of trying to diagnose to perfect. Time is money too. But for some reason I thought they, at least the AC ECU were in the multi hundreds of dollars.

    I''l be able to return the new blower motor I first bought minus $6.50 return shipment cost.

    So total cost of repair $66.50 plus my time, about $35 more than it would have cost if I diagnosed correctly and didn't order unneeded parts. But still a lot less that dealer repair and I learned something.

    Thanks again. Unfortunately I don't have the desire (or time) to go back and remeasure and find out where I may have gone wrong in diagnosis.
     
    Patrick Wong likes this.