coolant or water in AC connection

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by mhdriver, Feb 13, 2026 at 6:39 AM.

  1. mhdriver

    mhdriver Member

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    How likely is this? Seems like it is pretty well sealed, but I have read where people say they got coolant in their AC connection and it fried the board on power up.

    I have to say I got both coolant and water down there with my latest repair. It got very sloppy, but it seems the connection is tight. I can't see how fluid would get in there if it just spilled on the top. Finishing my job and restarting my car today. Would it be advisable to disconnect the AC and let the engine heat help to evaporate any fluid that got in there? Or could that cause other problems?
     
  2. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    What is the AC connection you are talking about? At the compressor in the evaporator, on the condensor?
     
  3. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    The low-voltage electrical control signal connection to the A/C compressor is a multipole connector that's on top of the compressor facing up. I have seen posts about problems from water getting in there.

    I don't know what to recommend if water/coolant has gotten down there. Maybe unplugging and trying to dry out as much as possible? I'd often think of grabbing a compressed-air blowgun, but would wonder here about possibly driving water in. Hair dryer might be better?
     
  4. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

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    If electrical connection unplug BLow it out w computer air from Walmart . Then electrical contact cleaner let dry . Re assemble. You could use elec grease sparingly . To resist future spills
     
  5. mhdriver

    mhdriver Member

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    At the compressor. I never disconnected it. It appears to be water tight. Heck, people wash engines down. They couldn't leave that exposed to catastrophic damage from simply getting wet. At least that's what I'd think. Now, if you disconnected it and spilled whatever there, that's on you.
     
  6. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

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    When I wash the engine on my persona that I no longer own this is exactly what happened . I had to do what I told you about above . To my personal gen3 . Once completed AC restored and gas I run is ice cokd. Can make ya sick .
     
  7. mhdriver

    mhdriver Member

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    That does suck. I was just hoping to disconnect the AC and run the engine for a few days and let the heat dry it out. Sure does look sealed to me. I gently washed the engine and not directly down on the AC compressor. I may have spilled coolant but I wasn't watching what happened then.
     
  8. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

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    Just undo the connection on the compressor the plug the one that aims up it's not Orange it's lo voltage spray it out let it dry . Electro grease applied put together .
     
  9. mhdriver

    mhdriver Member

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    I looked at it. It's a dry as a bone. Vacuumed it. Zero signs of liquid. I'm just gonna let her rip.
     
  10. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

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    Oh I thought something was wrong like the compressor was skipping or shutting off at random or ? If nothing yeah drive the car if air works great welp.