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2016 Prius AC issues?

Discussion in 'Gen 4 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by BLITZ XW50, Aug 23, 2017.

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  1. BLITZ XW50

    BLITZ XW50 Member

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    2016 Prius three.

    I don't know if i'm the only with this issue so far but for the past couple days my AC has been working on and off. Not regulating temperature.
    Let me explain:
    Inside I usually have it set to 72-74 to keep it modest and it'll blow cold but lately nothing but hot air no matter if it's on Normal or ECO, circulating or recirculating air. The only time it would start to get a little cold when at a stop waiting for a light or parked and idle. As soon as I'm back in motion the air heats up again as if I had the heater on.

    Car is currently dropped off with Toyota to check out the problem and I was wondering if anyone else has had this or something similar happen to them.
     
    #1 BLITZ XW50, Aug 23, 2017
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    is it under warranty?
     
    #2 bisco, Aug 23, 2017
  3. BLITZ XW50

    BLITZ XW50 Member

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    Waiting for the phone call from the dealership but I would assume it be covered under warranty especially with a meager 15,500 miles on the car. Will update more after i get info from their service department
     
    #3 BLITZ XW50, Aug 23, 2017
  4. Just.Drive.It.

    Just.Drive.It. New Member

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    72-74? I would bake! You have the heater on! Try turning it down to 65 or Lo.

    And just drive it.
     
    #4 Just.Drive.It., Aug 23, 2017
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  5. Sooner Al

    Sooner Al Active Member

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    LOL...I run the A/C in the car at 77 Deg F and that's too cold at times for my wife and I...:)
     
    #5 Sooner Al, Aug 23, 2017
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  6. BLITZ XW50

    BLITZ XW50 Member

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    When it's 85-100 degrees outside the 72-74 is a moderate temperature. :LOL:

    But as for an update: I picked up the car from the dealership yesterday seemed like the only thing wrong with the AC that they could tell me was that the freon was low and needed to be charged. Leak test and pressure test done with nothing else to be found.
     
    #6 BLITZ XW50, Aug 24, 2017
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  7. Sam Spade

    Sam Spade Senior Member

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    The refrigerant doesn't just disappear as if by magic.

    I strongly suggest that you take it in AGAIN in 6 weeks or so and have it checked again......assuming that it lasts that long.

    And KEEP copies of your service tickets in a safe place........so you can document this when/if it finally fails completely AFTER your warranty expires.
     
    #7 Sam Spade, Aug 24, 2017
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  8. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Yeah ignore this guy.

    That seems fishy. It was working fine, then its low, so soon? I wouldn't be surprised if it drops pressure again.
     
    #8 Mendel Leisk, Aug 24, 2017
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  9. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    agreed. should get how many years in a good system? i'm over 5, does usage affect length of time?
     
    #9 bisco, Aug 24, 2017
  10. BLITZ XW50

    BLITZ XW50 Member

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    Will definitely be keeping tabs on the AC system and making sure it stays in working order (especially during the warm weather). Thanks for the heads up and for sure I always keep records of everything for the car.
     
    #10 BLITZ XW50, Aug 24, 2017
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  11. BLITZ XW50

    BLITZ XW50 Member

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    I wondered the same thing. Does maybe sitting in the car idle for 30-40min 3-5 days a week for lunch or any other reason you would sit in an idle car with AC running make the "low freon happen? Kind of weird.
     
    #11 BLITZ XW50, Aug 24, 2017
  12. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    a lot of people live in hot area's, so i doubt that's the problem. will be interesting to see how she holds up.
     
    #12 bisco, Aug 24, 2017
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  13. RCO

    RCO Senior Member

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    My wife's AC in her non-Prius car suffered the same problem. The dealer found the Freon level low and topped it up. That was over a year ago and it's still going strong, so if it happens again they need to check the HVAC for leaks.

    Here's hoping all's well since the top up.
     
    #13 RCO, Aug 25, 2017
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  14. Sam Spade

    Sam Spade Senior Member

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    NO.
    The odds are VERY high that there is a leak and the problem will be back regardless of what you do.......or don't do.
     
    #14 Sam Spade, Aug 25, 2017
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  15. Ohid

    Ohid Member

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    My AC ran at 80 F all time.
     
    #15 Ohid, Jul 21, 2020
  16. lech auto air conditionin

    lech auto air conditionin Senior Member

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    I would get a good strong flash light and look through the bumper grill. You will be looking for light dark circles ( oil spots ). I have some photos in my photo album you can visit that and see what to look for. Don't let Toyota dealer off that easy. They just get you out of warranty with a cheap quick refrigerant recharge. The when you are out of warranty you will have to buy a condenser and recharge refrigerant at FULL PRICE $$$.

    On the work order did it say they added UV trace dye ?. If so you can buy a UV LED light maybe you can find the leak.
     
    #16 lech auto air conditionin, Aug 7, 2020
  17. Media_Tech

    Media_Tech Junior Member

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    Owners manuals for cars with conventional belt-driven compressors sometimes suggest that compressors should be run for a few minutes every month year 'round to help maintain the compressors' seals with the intention of avoiding refrigerant loss. I have no idea if such advice would be pertinent for an electrically-driven Prius (or in my case a US Corolla Hybrid) compressor.
     
    #17 Media_Tech, Aug 7, 2020
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  18. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    I've heard that too. True or not, seems sage advice for keeping on top of your AC's condition.
     
    #18 Mendel Leisk, Aug 8, 2020
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