got an issue with Carmine, my 2008 Prius. I can turn on the a/c, that works. There are 4 air vents across the dashboard. I can only get air flow from the outside vents - the 2 by the doors. Middle 2, no air flow. I pressed the button to switch to 'face" and "foot," no air flow from the feet either. Only from the same 2 outside dashboard vents. All winter using the heat this was working. Hence the issue is new. Today I only put the heat on for a short time, but still no air flow from the middle 2 vents, nor from the feet. So it seems it is the air flow buttons, not related to whether I have heat or a/c running. Is this mechanical? Computer? Something I can fix myself? Costly repair? All info appreciated!
About the only thing that is easy is to check the cabin filter behind the glove box. It could be clogged or something may be nesting.
New cabin air filter installed. Still no air, middle 2 vents, foot vents. But the filter did need to be changed, so that wasn't a wasted move. Car is used regularly, not sure how anything could nest in it, but I suppose it is possible.
Scrolling down on this page to "Codes from the heat/air conditioning system" and following the gen 2 instructions there, what codes do you see, if any? Blink (a/k/a Flash) Codes – How to. | PriusChat
@ChapmanF I am a 67 year old female. I have no clue what that is talking about. Blink, and pins, and diagnostic codes, ECUs, I stopped reading at that point. May as well be in German. Sorry.
He is saying a very good scanner could reveal a specific ac air flow problem. Unfortunately most Toyota dealers charge an hours labor to diagnose. There is a way to diy which provides simple codes. Gen 2: Start with the car off. Hold down both the A/C AUTO and FRESH/RECIRC buttons (on the steering wheel), while turning the car on (two power button presses, no foot on brake). Look for two-digit codes shown in the top corner of the MFD. The two-digit code xy usually means the same as a B14xy code shown on a scan tool. Maybe someone you know could read those instructions and do it. Then post those codes. Alternatively you could look for an independent Toyota shop or a specialized auto ac shop for a diagnosis. Often its a motorized air flow door under the dash or a linkage disconnected. Not easy but repairable.
That's exactly the part you find by «Scrolling down on this page to "Codes from the heat/air conditioning system" and following the gen 2 instructions» as I suggested. Nothing there about blinks or pins. The thing about diagnostic codes is that even if you have no idea what they mean, you can still tell them to people who do, who then can help you.
@rjparker I held down these 2 buttons: No foot on the brake. Two presses to the START button. Car came one, radio on, no motor or engine. Most importantly: no codes showing on the MFD. Did this 3 times, even moved the MFD to the CLIMATE screen. No codes.
My recollection was that the MFD will then display 00 in a top corner, if it otherwise has no two-digit codes to display. I don't have a gen 2 handy right now to go check, though.
Try it again as you did it Be sure you are holding the steering wheel buttons as you press Start twice then press Climate Should see a flashing Diagnosis with a number or numbers
Good LORD!@!!! Don't hate me, RJ. I can't believe this. The buttons on the steering wheel -- the front defrost, and back defrost -- do not work. Broke years ago. And since I could access those 2 things from the MFD, that is what I have been doing. I just checked . . . the RECIRCULATE / FRESH does not work either. I am not getting any diagnostic codes, I suspect because the block of buttons do not work on my Carmine. @rjparker
Does this mean I have to get the button block fixed or are there multiple ways for the dealer to get the needed codes? It was on here that I was advised not to bother getting the buttons fixed, just use the MFD.
The dealer or anyone with the Toyota scanner Techstream can read the codes off the standard obd2 connector. Most lower cost scanners won't work, however small shops have other scanner brands that generally read all the Prius codes. Any chance the two crnter vents are closed?
OK, I deserve that. No, the vents are not closed, they are open. I have played with those wheels, trying to get air flow, before I ever posted on here. I know how to open and close the vents. Good to know there is a way to get the codes. Now I just need to find the money to get this fixed, sooner rather than later. Thanks for your time, sorry it took me so long to realize the buttons aren't connecting.
I would try to find a small hybrid specific shop. Unless the codes point to an electrical issue line a fuse (doubtful) removal of the dash is the standard access. Then its fix linkages or change servos at best or replace air handler at worse. References:
Will the OP please take a picture of the climate control screen on the MFD and post it. It is possible that the car has the front defrost on, or something like that. It has been reported at least once: the switching the front defrost on and off a few times can sometimes help in this situation. (Yes, that's a gen3, but in the comments somebody noted this about a gen2.)
