My 2004 Prius AC blowing Hot Air--Just started...

welcome! prius uses a very special high voltage electric a/c system. you were smart to take it to the dealer, and will be fortunate if it's only a leak, because there are some very expensive components. i would stick to the dealer unless you are an expert on electric a/c,some diy era here have ruined their a/c to the tune of thousands of dollars in repairs. all the best!

 

You have a leak, thus the AC was no longer blowing COLD, one day. This assumes no damage to ant AC component due to road debris or a vehicle accident.

The dealership suspects a leak due to the car no longer being cold. Lack of dye was needed to check for leaks. They refilled the missing volume of R134a refigerant, so you will TEMPORARILY have a COLD AC system once again. You will be back b/c the gas will have escaped, and is no longer cold or no longer helping to remove the excesse humidity durring winter, thus fogging up your windows.

You can recharge the system on your own if done properly and with an AC manifold gauge set that has only been used on Toyota Hybrid AC systems. Using a gauge set that has touched non-Toyota Hybrid AC systems could introduce contaminents, leaving you WORSE OFF

Remember, you are leaking gas. Unless you fix the leak, you will continue to leak gas. If you have grandkids, get the leak fixed for them. They will be left behind with the mess the adults have made.

 

To somewhat parrot what others have said, with this particular car, do NOT mess with the A/C system unless you are quite skilled with such things.

The fact that you are asking means you are not.

The Prius takes special recharge refrigerant and special lube and special dye and special incantations.

In this case, it is best to leave it to Toyota.

 

Come on guys, be serious. Filling A.C on the Prius could have not been any easier. Even left a review on amazon on how easy it is. Buy the proper A.C can for about $15 and a gauge hose to recharge for $20. Its going to cost you about $35- $40 most with tax and shipping if any.

1.I want to know what others have experienced with their AC repairs or how they repaired their own AC.

Bought a 2004 Prius with 220,000 miles and of course, the car had no working A.C. Well it worked, but no cold air would come out. Even pulled an DTC code on Toyota Techstream on my laptop of "B1423 - Open in Pressure Sensor Circuit / Abnormal Refrigerant Pressure". Figured, what the heck.
Plugged into the "low" pressure valve connector. Started Prius, ran engine, maxed out A.C inside car with lowest temps, and checked gauge at engine with adapter kit. Turned out to be no pressure at all. Ouch. Started plugging this can in. Released the twist valve, and boom, compressor starting making noises within 15 seconds (guessing the pressure activated the compressor and the can says it should make noise in 3 minutes otherwise could be issues). Running the car for another 5 minutes. Checked interior again. A.C was working beautifully. The pressure gauge showed 35 PSI on the 80 degree day with sun shining directly on me and car after and max A.C running. Turning off car and checking again showed gauge at 60 roughly.
Maybe I have a leak, maybe I don't. Don't know, don't really care. It worked. $15 a can. Another $20 for the adapter kit. Every year I can put $15 for A.C if I need to. First time doing this also. Easy peasy.

2. What kind of dye to use in these hybrid systems?

Buy this from Amazon or wherever you find it. Read the reviews on Amazon also. Some great simple advice from DIY people.
A/C PRO (HYB-134A) R134a Refrigerant Refill - 10 oz.

3.Can I recharge the system on my own?

Of course. Follow what I mentioned in #1

 

Double post...

 

Stand by my statement. I suppose if you have a manifold gauge and know how to use it, the proper hybrid chemicals and have really looked into what needs to be done, you most likely will do no harm and will probably be O.K.

But, if you are relying on that cheap little thing that comes on the cans....or even a semi-decent refrigerant gauge..nope.

Otherwise, don't chance it. My mechanic, whose name is also Steve, loves to encourage me to do my own work (I secretly think he likes to fix what I mess up, but regardless).

But, with A/C he says don't mess with it.

 

The Prius AC system isn't complex like people like to think it is. My dad, a smart guy that has no experience with the Prius changed my sisters AC compressor with a used one for $75 in ONE hour. Not even kidding! He couldn't believe how easy it was.

Well a month later his big Ford Excursion Diesel's AC compressor failed and it took him almost two days, some blood and lots of cussing! Just thought I'd share! Best of luck

 

If you have dependents or siblings w/ dependents (nephew/niece), and have a conscious, of sorts, you may just want to get that leak fixed. You and I will be long gone, while they and their dependents will be dealing with the problems some of us have created.

Just out of curriosoty, were the high and low side pressure readings w/in specifications listed by Toyota? You may have a system that is under or overcharged.

 

The $20 adapter gauge he alludes to is just a Low side pressure gauge.

Does he even know there is a high side, and the two systems have a working relationship. But then again, he doesn't care, so it won't matter to him.

 

The Prius has a high voltage electric compressor. This was the reason why it was so easy. Far fewer parts (moving and non-moving) to disconnect and reconnect.

Hopefully your dad had the system evacuated before working on it.

More importantly he probably understands that there is a relationship between the HIGH and LOW pressure sides; this is universal to refrigeration (home AC systems, auto AC systems (hybrid & non-hybrid), and refrigerators). He probably understands that you want the readings for the two sides to be within manufacture specifications; too low or too high is bad. He probably has proper tools: AC manifold gauge and a vaccum pump.

As you can see, there is a big difference between your dad, and fly by the seat of your pants guy.