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2019 Prius Prime has no heat

Discussion in 'Prime Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by 100 free watt hours, Mar 5, 2021.

  1. 100 free watt hours

    100 free watt hours Junior Member

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    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    The heat and a/c quit working in my 2019 prime. The Prime has two heating systems, the regular heater core from the engine coolant and the heat pump (used to be called the air conditioner). When heat pump loses freon from a leak or the compressor goes bad the heating system will only work in defrost mode using the the running engine for heat. The heat pump works quite well and will be assisted by the engine in very cold weather. The heat pump is much more fuel efficient than using a heated coil while running on batteries only. I know this because my heat pump condenser got holes in it from rocks. The condenser sits in front of the radiator exposed to any flying object. Cost to repair is about 1600.00 My insurance will cover most of that because it is road damage. If any one else is experiencing holes in their condenser I would like to know about it. It could be a design flaw in the front grill air intake system.
     
    #1 100 free watt hours, Mar 5, 2021
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    Plug-in Base
    might be worth installing a radiator guard
     
    #2 bisco, Mar 6, 2021
    Mendel Leisk likes this.
  3. Salamander_King

    Salamander_King Senior Member

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    There was a thread with a video showing how to check refrigerant leaks in the HVAC system of PP after a collision accident. The detail is way beyond my comprehension, but it may be of some use for anyone needing to check the PRIME HVAC system.

    PRIME AC refrigerant O-ring leaks | PriusChat

    I never had a problem with my PP, but aren't most cars have an AC condenser in front of the radiator right behind the grille? My son had a minor frontal collision that did not cause body damages but ended up AC condenser needing to be replaced on my old HCH.
     
    #3 Salamander_King, Mar 6, 2021
    Last edited: Mar 6, 2021
  4. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
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    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    Just for the uninitiated, HCH was your second gen Honda Civic Hybrid.

    I can commiserate: our 06 (also sold to son lol), even without front end damage, started “shedding” it’s condenser grill.

    Continued to keep seal, but pretty pathetic.
     
    #4 Mendel Leisk, Mar 7, 2021
    Salamander_King likes this.
  5. vvillovv

    vvillovv Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 19, 2013
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    Location:
    NY
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Plus
    I'll commiserate concerning the civic hybrid, even though mine is still on the road, but needs babysitting service since last dealer in warranty service date.

    Just curious if you guys heard about the cali class action - gen 2 civic hybrid didn't get EPA rated 44 mpg combined. around 2012 possibly earlier.

    No big surprise to me it wouldn't get 44 mpg in southern cali...
     
    #5 vvillovv, Mar 7, 2021
    Mendel Leisk likes this.
  6. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
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    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    Towards the end I was happy to get 40... :rolleyes:
     
    #6 Mendel Leisk, Mar 7, 2021
  7. vvillovv

    vvillovv Senior Member

    Joined:
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    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Plus
    I just filled up and mine was 35. No biggy for a 15 year old machine in the cold and snow and only being started once of twice a week when lucky. In the summer I can still get 50's and the best pack still stays balanced for a few months (fingers crossed) if I take it easy. 50 mile return trip a few days ago at 70 mph on the thruway was 46. but that drops fast idling to warm up the pack above freezing.
    I'd sell it if I could and still have a conscience left.
     
    #7 vvillovv, Mar 7, 2021
  8. BiomedO1

    BiomedO1 Senior Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
    SacTown, Ca
    Vehicle:
    2021 Prius Prime
    Model:
    LE
    Dang conscience!!!:mad::D:LOL::ROFLMAO::sleep: I never saw over 48 mpg, and that was trying really hard in the summer; along the flat valley floors of Cali. Pack went out around 75k; dealer wouldn't replace it unless it threw the battery code a couple of more times. Drove it like I stole, and threw the additional codes. Had to wait another week for the new pack to arrive and got it replaced. Traded it for the Prius C at around 83k and got a really good price; but I had the battery replacement paperwork in hand. I still like Honda's; just not their hybrids.
     
    #8 BiomedO1, May 5, 2021
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