No cold air from AC — Gen 2

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by nervous_wren, Jun 16, 2026 at 6:49 PM.

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  1. nervous_wren

    nervous_wren New Member

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    Hey folks,
    Hoping somebody experienced with Prius matters would be able to provide a suggestion for how to proceed.

    It is really really hot outside right now (90ºF most days). The A/C system on my Prius as not cooling at all. I am unsure of the history of care for the air conditioning, but here's what I can say from an inspection:
    1. Through the sight glass, refrigerant appears to be flowing fine with no bubbles at all.
    2. Console screen HVAC test reports no faults.
    3. Compressor is running (or at least making a loud whirring noise).
    4. Condenser looks... like this (see picture).

    By my understanding, my next course of action should be to follow the steps in [this thread](AC Maintenance | PriusChat) to clean everything. Is it possible that this accounts for all my issues? Is my compressor dirty enough to severely hinder the A/C cooling?

    IMG_3147_converted.jpg IMG_3149_converted.jpg
     
    #1 nervous_wren, Jun 16, 2026 at 6:49 PM
  2. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

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    Is the fat aluminum hose with a green cap with an L on it getting cool at all ? You're saying no bubbles in the sight glass because it's empty would be a good guess . Most of these leak in the cabin to be clear big costly repair. You could get lucky but it's a stretch. If you push on the Schrader valve marked L do you hear gas escaping . Count one Mississippi. And there's nothing else coming out ? Yep empty . Go wal mart get the big black can w gauge 40 bux . The new version can says hybrid compatible on it . I don't believe it but it says it. Connect this fancy can to the low port fat silver hose . Everything on HI fan and LO cool . Gas her up watching sight glass . Looking cold fat silver hose and a clear or almost clear glass . Add slowly . Once you get to this point and you're making cold look at your watch and note how many hours it takes until it no longer makes cold pay attention
     
    #2 Tombukt2, Jun 16, 2026 at 9:32 PM
  3. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

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    And you're in Texas so either the system's been beat to death and it's going to leak right back out or the last owner did not care about air or the evap core is blown and whole dash is coming out .
     
    #3 Tombukt2, Jun 16, 2026 at 9:33 PM
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