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New Inverter Coolant Pump, No Joy

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Duncwarw, May 14, 2024.

  1. Duncwarw

    Duncwarw Junior Member

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    Yet another issue.

    2008 200k.
    After changing the inverter coolant pump, I still see no "turbulence".
    The wiring connector shows battery voltage but the pumps don't pump.

    What am I missing?

    This is my work vehicle and I actually bought an '06 just so I can continue to show up for work while I try to fix the "missing" ecus issue and now this...
     
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    are there 12 volts at the pump?
     
  3. Duncwarw

    Duncwarw Junior Member

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    yes
     
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  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    maybe something clogged, is it an oem pump from a dealer?
     
  5. Duncwarw

    Duncwarw Junior Member

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    The "original pump" came in the car when I bought it (used) a couple of years ago.
    So, after searching this forum, I just installed a new pump (not OEM).

    I find it hard to believe that they're both bad, but I'll hook up the old one to a battery and see if it hums I guess...
     
  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    anything is possible i suppose. there has been a flood of counterfeit chinese parts on the market that don't work out of the box.
     
  7. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

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    You see no turbulence but is the code gone even if you cleared it you drive the vehicle or what have you does it code?
     
  8. pasadena_commut

    pasadena_commut Senior Member

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    I don't recall the details but if the coolant level is off (high or low, don't remember) it can be difficult to see the turbulence.
     
  9. Brian1954

    Brian1954 Senior Member

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    Deleted my post.
     
  10. Duncwarw

    Duncwarw Junior Member

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    I drive 100 miles a day for work, all stop and go plus up and down fairly steep hills in the course of my route.
    When the issue first raised its ugly head, I got the triangle and the saw through the car thing and then the car just put itself into neutral and refused to do anything else.
    I powered off, waited a minute, and started again and all was well for a very short time.

    As I didn't have my code reader with me that day, I couldn't say what the code was.
    It made me think of overheating like an "old-fashioned" car. over heat, shut down cool off, start up, drive and repeat.
    I got through the day (barely) and then got a code saying the inverter coolant was overheated or the like.
    If memory serves, I read the code with both the code reader and TS18.
     
  11. Duncwarw

    Duncwarw Junior Member

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    I also tried bleeding the system and with the bleeder open there was obviously no flow other than perhaps gravity.
     
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  12. TMR-JWAP

    TMR-JWAP Senior Member

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    Hoses backwards? Still air bound? The car does not need to be in READY for the pump to run. Foot off the brake and press power button 2 times. This ensures engine noise and vibration will not interfere with the pump noise/flow indication in the reservoir. If the pump is running it should be humming, loud is bad and means it's air bound. Pump gets quiet when moving fluid. Sometimes the bleeder nipple needs to be very loose to get flow to start. Make sure you have a hose on the bleeder and route it back to the reservoir

    On another note, hopefully you're replacing the correct pump. Located directly behind the driverside headlight, right?

    Also, there is a single wire plug located just above and to the left of the underhood fuse box. Make sure this plug is seated correctly. It kills the power path for the ICWP. Sometimes, people will unplug it and then replace the 15 amp fuse (if it blew when the pump failed), but forget to plug it back in after the pump is replaced. I've also seen it where the wire breaks at that plug or where the wire enters the harness a couple inches away.
     
  13. Duncwarw

    Duncwarw Junior Member

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    Yes, the one behind the left headlight.
    I replaced the pump in the orientation the original was in. The hoses sort of dictate the position anyway.
    When I tried to bleed it, there was no flow to be seen in the clear tubing I used.

    Thanks for the detailed info. It's much appreciated!
    I'll check the single wire plug and the rest. It always seems like it's the simple things that stall me...
     
  14. TMR-JWAP

    TMR-JWAP Senior Member

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    I've replaced dozens. If there is no flow, either the pump is not running, it is air bound, or the bleeder is clogged/not loose enough. Although I've heard of it happening, I've never experienced clogged inverter coolant passages.

    Remove the bleeder and verify it, and the tube it threads into, aren't clogged. Then reinstall it loosely and install your tube.
    Put the car in Ig-ON, not ready. The pump should be running. It should be obvious from humming and pump vibration. If it isn't you need to resolve that first..
    Once you're sure the pump is running, start squeezing the hoses to stimulate flow. You should hear the pump hum changing as it moves coolant and air bubbles. Coolant should start moving through the tube. How much coolant did you lose when changing the pump? If you used plier clamps for the hoses it should have only lost a couple ounces. If you lost a lot, it may take a bit longer to get it bled and filled.
     
  15. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

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    You can blow 10 PSI or so of air through the coolant hoses with the cap off of the jug and you should see your air that you blew through either hose run through the system and bubble up in the jug You can even do it with your mouth if you have an extension tube to reach down to the two tubes from your mouth that actually go to the inverter pump I've done it right here just to see if I in fact have flow that my breath can go through and come out the other hose If I use my air hose I turn the regulator down to about 10 or 15 lb not run the 120 through there.
     
  16. Duncwarw

    Duncwarw Junior Member

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    Thanks for the good info.

    Even with the bleeder completely removed (with ignition on) the fluid sort of gravity-fed trickled out.
    I did clamp the hoses. Squeezing the hoses did move fluid, but the pump(s) didn't.

    I'm going to connect a battery directly to the pump that ISN'T installed and if that makes it run, then I would suspect wiring. My thinking being 12v (ish) without amperage might be readable but not necessarily run the pump.
     
  17. Duncwarw

    Duncwarw Junior Member

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    Eureka!?!

    Since the pump I replaced was at hand, I connected a battery via jumper wires and......
    Hum and spin! Once I locate one of my 10mm sockets (where do they go?), I'll remove the headlight
    and attempt to replace the wires, if possible, to the male plug to the pump and I think I'll have success.

    I will post the outcome in the hope that others may benefit.
     
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  18. TMR-JWAP

    TMR-JWAP Senior Member

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    Don't forget to check that connector above the underhood fuse box! You don't want to do a bunch of work and just have it end up being a broken wire up there.
     
  19. Duncwarw

    Duncwarw Junior Member

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    Thanks, I'll do that.
    I spend a lot of time on dirt roads and EVERYTHING gets dirty, even the engine room.
     
  20. Duncwarw

    Duncwarw Junior Member

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    Oh, speaking of connections, does anybody know the part number for that inverter pump power plug?
    Toyota parts look-up can be a challenge (at least for me).