Help decoding "service-writer-speak"

They've done their electric compressors two different ways- one version takes DC power from the high voltage system, puts it through an inverter built into the compressor housing, and the resulting 3-phase AC drives the compressor motor.

The other version has that inverter packaged with other electronics inside the hybrid transaxle, and 3-phase AC wiring connects that unit to the compressor motor.

One method was used for 2nd generation cars and the other for 3rd, but I can't recall which was which.

I'm sure somebody will fill in the gap. Might even be able to tell by looking- 2 fat wires into the compressor means the internal inverter, 3 fat wires means external inverter.

@lech auto air conditionin usually has wisdom to offer on these.

PS seek a second opinion. It's never* the inverter. These guys just don't know what's up.



*OK never say never, but... close enough

 

It seem more likely to be the compressor than the inverter since you don't mention any other gremlins. If the dealer can't figure it out, then it's best to let them bring in someone who knows what they are doing. Of course, you'd think the dealer would have people who know what they are doing, but those people are getting harder to find all the time.

That's also a pretty expensive dealer. I know the evaporator is the hard part, but we had the evaporator and condenser both replace at an independent shop a few years ago for $1,600. When the compressor on my PiP ate itself, I bought a used one for $100 and an independent shop put it in for $200. There are places besides the dealer that are skilled at hybrid air conditioners.

 

Gen 2 is the one with the plain three-phase motor compressor; you can count three orange wires going in, and they come from the big inverter box over the transaxle, which is where the variable-speed motor drive circuitry is.

Gen 3 has the drive circuitry moved out of the inverter box and into the compressor itself; just two orange wires going in, bringing it DC. Flowing refrigerant keeps the circuitry cool.

You can also see it in the price list ... Gen 3 inverter assembly price went down, A/C compressor went up, roughly the same amounts, compared to Gen 2.

 

Tell you a dirty little secret about dealerships (steelerships). Not every technician and almost all dealers nowadays are only looking for a parts replacement monkey who will put down and condemn a part whether it’s right or wrong so the sales person who makes a commission the technician who makes a commission the service manager who makes a monthly or quarterly commission can sell more parts whether the diagnosis is right or wrong so long as they could cover it up in writing and charge for it. Dealership techs have become parts changers not diagnosticians. Sad to say . In my area 30+ years ago diagnostic mistakes were truly mistakes. Now it’s considered a way of doing business.

 

First of all get the hell out of a dealership. You didnt have the ecoil replaced at the dealer did you?

Most ac shops know and service a Prius they have been around a long time and very popular car. They will charge it up fill it with die and go on a treasure hunt to find the dye leak AND since you spent a boatload of money on the ecoil thats a suspect right off the bat they can do a sniff test under the dash.

Keep your fingers double crossed its not the ecoil again.

Nothing wrong with the inverter if there was the dash would be lit up with lights. or the car would be dead.