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What can be done about Phoenix AZ summer heat prius?

Discussion in 'Generation 1 Prius Discussion' started by boostedsil40, Aug 8, 2019.

  1. boostedsil40

    boostedsil40 Junior Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
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    Vehicle:
    2002 Prius
    Model:
    One
    Hello everyone,This is my GF 2002 prius,The car MUST be parked in the shade at all times and when not it must be covered by a tarp,failure to do so results in the turtle light coming on and if driven with turtle light the red exclamation will come on and the car is done till it cools down,The red exclamation happened twice but the turtle light is more common.She drives it like a baby to help the battery but Im in need of ideas on how we can keep this cabin and battery cooled better?she has ac cranking when driving and so far the only time these issues happen are when the car sits in the sun but its still teetering on that edge of too hot with summer getting bad.

    I checked the fan and it was clean,My only ideas now are to add another fan or something?or make a type if intercooler or swamp cooler effect with ice water.
     
    #1 boostedsil40, Aug 8, 2019
  2. Leadfoot J. McCoalroller

    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller Senior Member

    Joined:
    May 12, 2018
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    Location:
    Pennsylvania
    Vehicle:
    2018 Prius c
    Model:
    Two
    With that much environmental heat and an old car there’s only so much you can do.

    Maybe consider a remote starter, so the AC can get a head start?

    If it were me I’d probably just accelerate my plans to trade up to something newer.
     
    #2 Leadfoot J. McCoalroller, Aug 8, 2019
  3. davecook89t

    davecook89t Senior Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
    Washington State, Florida
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius
    Model:
    Four Touring
    You have checked the inverter pump to make sure it is still working, correct? To be absolutely sure the problem is caused by too much heat in the cabin, I would think it would be worth your while to have the codes read by a hybrid compatible code reader.
     
    #3 davecook89t, Aug 8, 2019
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    Location:
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    Vehicle:
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    Plug-in Base
    tint the windows and window shades?

    is the battery original?
     
    #4 bisco, Aug 8, 2019
  5. ski.dive

    ski.dive Active Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
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    2008 Prius
    I have my PRIUS in the HOT Florida sun=NO ISSUES

    It's not the summer heat...It's your battery- HAVE IT CHECKED OUT
     
    #5 ski.dive, Aug 8, 2019
  6. ronlewis

    ronlewis Active Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
    texas
    Vehicle:
    2001 Prius
    Model:
    One
    What he said^^^
     
    #6 ronlewis, Aug 8, 2019
  7. Brian in Tucson

    Brian in Tucson Active Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
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    Vehicle:
    2003 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    It's likely not the battery, tho it could be the battery fan. Needs to be checked out.

    More likely, it's the inverter coolant pump. Not expensive to fix if you can do the labor yourself. Mine had the symptoms you describe, on a road trip. It cooled off and resolved, but I ended up replacing the pump and never looked back.

    And, btw, never replace the inverter coolant pump with a wrecking yard/used one. They are a wear item and good replacements are available from Amazon or Rock auto.
     
    #7 Brian in Tucson, Aug 9, 2019
    davecook89t and Leadfoot J. McCoalroller like this.
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