Help with multimeter settings to manually bleed coolant

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Collie, Jan 9, 2026 at 7:02 PM.

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  1. Collie

    Collie Junior Member

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    Thanks for the reply Chapman.

    As has also been mentioned a couple times, respectfully, this is pump number 3. Using the unfused jumper resulted in large sparks and dead pumps. As also mentioned I’m attempting to try something new because insanity is doing the same thing over and over expecting a different result.

    This time, as I mentioned, I spoke to a toyota tech who said try it this way with a multimeter - I searched for and posted a video of others making it work. The other option he suggested was to use a FUSED jumper to avoid any shorting. Because I live in the mountains with no access to get into town to purchase said jumper with fuse, I’m doing my best to work with what I have.

    Thank you for all your help.
     
    #21 Collie, Jan 9, 2026 at 9:39 PM
  2. Collie

    Collie Junior Member

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    If I have to take that wheel off one more time… lol


    Sorry if I came off brash guys, I just stripped the #6 trying to open the bleeder valve and don’t have another one. FML.
     
    #22 Collie, Jan 9, 2026 at 9:42 PM
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  3. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    I always tell people that the main difference between a professional and a DIY is how long it takes to get a part or tool. A pro will always have everything a few steps away when they get started and a DIY person will have to run an errand or order online mid project.
     
    #23 PriusCamper, Jan 9, 2026 at 10:03 PM
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  4. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    I wasn't there at the time and, therefore, can't say what did cause your dead pumps.

    I don't have to have been there to be able to say what didn't cause it; we can rule out any explanation that would require changing how electricity or multimeters work. Whatever does explain your experiences, it won't be that.

    If you run into further issues and post in enough detail, it may be possible to pin down what you're seeing.

    Getting a wire into the wrong terminals of a socket—different ones than used with the meter—would be one way to see different results. But again, I wasn't there watching you.
     
    #24 ChapmanF, Jan 9, 2026 at 10:15 PM
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  5. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    1. Running it for 15 seconds and wait 1 minute would be fine.

    2. Keep coolant in the funnel. If it drains into the system without the pump running that is ok.

    3. According to the video, the meter allows you to judge the pump speed.

    4. You could write down the steps he used and follow the steps at your own pace.

    5. Sparks are ok.
     
    #25 rjparker, Jan 9, 2026 at 10:26 PM
    Last edited: Jan 9, 2026 at 11:32 PM
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  6. Collie

    Collie Junior Member

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    That’s pretty accurate! In this case I had (2) of them things and stripped them both.

    Maybe it’s time to finally give GripEdge brand a shot

    Thank you everyone again and thanks as well to RJ for simplifying it for me
     
    #26 Collie, Jan 9, 2026 at 11:32 PM
  7. Collie

    Collie Junior Member

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    Does anyone have any ideas on getting the stripped bleeder fastener off? It’s the one that comes out with the #6 T handle. Stripped 2 trying to get it out.

    Is it going to come to trying to find a narrow enough screw extractor, pinching off the coolant lines and ordering a replacement part online after extracting it?
     
    #27 Collie, Jan 10, 2026 at 12:00 AM
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