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2006 Prius hybrid fan motor

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Technical Discussion' started by mattd2472, Jun 12, 2017.

  1. mattd2472

    mattd2472 Junior Member

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    Hi ALL ... I hope this isn't a long shot BUT ....

    I have a 2006 Prius and I have a perfectly good hybrid battery I got for $200 and I am getting my battery on display in the purple lines again so I will be replacing whatever cell(s) are bad. My question is since I NEVER EVER hear my fan that cools of the hybrid battery ... is there a way I can hook it up to a switch so I can turn it on whenever I want??? If anyone can help or direct me if this is possible or better HOW to do it. My email is matthewd2472 at hot mail
     
  2. Kevin_Denver

    Kevin_Denver Active Member

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    1. There's nothing wrong with the battery display showing the battery charge in the purple range (1-2 bars). This is normal for example when climbing long hills with the car. The Prius' computers will keep the actual state of charge between ~40-80% (corresponds to 1 to 8 bars displayed). If there is a serious problem with the battery, warning lights will come on and car will have codes corresponding to the battery when read with a code reader.

    If the car is not displaying codes but the hybrid battery performance appears weak (going from 7-8 bars to 1-2 bars rapidly for example, do a search for how to determine when the battery really is weak), I wouldn't generally recommend replacing cells at that point. Your battery could probably just benefit from a recondition, using a reconditioner Example: Online Store – Hybrid Automotive . If your current battery is working fine, I would tend towards just driving the car until you have a full failure of the battery and the cars gives you codes before replacing it with your backup.

    2. The hybrid battery fan is normally extremely quiet. Only when the battery temperature gets very high will the noise from this fan be audible. After running the car for an extended period in warm weather (30+ min), I would leave the car running and place your ear next to the intake by the back seats. You should be able to hear the fan running with your ear close and the engine off. Most likely, it's working fine and no action is needed from you. I believe if this fan fails, the car will give a code.
     
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  3. mattd2472

    mattd2472 Junior Member

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    Thank you for the help i appreciate it greatly. I AM still going to buy that Mini VCI i read about. Again thanks alot.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    you can turn the fan on with some obd readers, maybe even a phone app, idk.
     
  5. Kevin_Denver

    Kevin_Denver Active Member

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    I love my mini-VCI cable with Techstream on my laptop. It's an incredibly useful tool for diagnosing and tweaking on a Prius (if a little clunky...). Best of luck with your battery.
     
  6. Kevin_Denver

    Kevin_Denver Active Member

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    I love my mini-VCI cable with Techstream on my laptop. It's an incredibly useful tool for diagnosing and tweaking on a Prius (if a little clunky...). Best of luck with your battery.
     
  7. Kevin_Denver

    Kevin_Denver Active Member

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    I love my mini-VCI cable with Techstream on my laptop. It's an incredibly useful tool for diagnosing and tweaking on a Prius (if a little clunky...). Best of luck with your battery.
     
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  8. andrewclaus

    andrewclaus Active Member

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    If you have a good battery, why not try swapping the whole assembly? Watch your back, it's an awkward lift.
     
  9. mattd2472

    mattd2472 Junior Member

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  10. mattd2472

    mattd2472 Junior Member

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    Oops didnt finish typing ... tested all the cells and they were 7.5v ... so i took out my original battery and hooked up that one and it wouldnt even register AND i reset the computer before and after it was hooked up

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
  11. TMR-JWAP

    TMR-JWAP Senior Member

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    Although I'm not 100% sure I understand what you mean, the car will not 'detect' the HV battery if the orange safety disconnect is not properly installed (ie, the final push/click step is not completed).

    Also, your cooling fan has 6 steps of operating speeds. Techstream will allow you to test each step. Hooking up a toggle switch is probably one of the last things you really want to do as you'll most likely end up smoking the fan motor.
     
  12. srellim234

    srellim234 Senior Member

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    I know our fan is really quiet. The only time I've actually heard it was this past week when the Prolong battery conditioning system had it running full blast. My daughter, who sits in the back seat, says she has to put her ear to the intake vent to hear it from time to time. The only time she's heard it while not actually trying to was last year when we were climbing a long grade in 115* heat. This year I'll just ignore the signs suggesting we turn off the a/c on that climb and keep the cabin cooler for the batteries.
     
  13. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    Those signs to turn off AC probably doesn't apply to modern cars, I'm surprised they are still on the highway.