2001 A/C or Inverter Problem?

I'm trying to help a friend in Mountlake Terrace WA with her 2001 which has 135000 miles. Here's her story: "We've had this happen so infrequently because it rarely gets hot enough in Seattle to use it (!) but this weekend was nice and hot and the car stopped working twice after sitting in the sun, then while running the airconditioning. The first was at a stop light (brief) and the second was longer after getting it to the side. After letting it sit, off, for 10 min it started up again and worked fine thereafter (we turned the a/c off) however the see-dealership/error light was on. Last summer when this happened the mechanic just turned off this error message, we didn't use air conditioning again and were fine. Any idea why this happens? I'm wondering if it has something to do with the airconditioning not working when the car is in electric-only mode."

I suggested she check out the coolant flow through the inverter pump & get the DTC read. I also sent these links:

http://priuschat.com/forums/generat.../95455-classic-prius-coolant-replacement.html

http://priuschat.com/forums/generation-1-prius-discussion/94756-2002-needs-new-inverter.html

http://priuschat.com/forums/generation-1-prius-discussion/94531-water-pump-inverter.html

http://priuschat.com/forums/generation-1-prius-discussion/78680-2001-prius-inverter-replacement.html

so she'd have an idea of what to look for. Now that I've done my amateur best this morning I'm asking for the expert help tonight. Do you think I'm on the right track? Any & all advice is greatly appreciated. Is there a good indy shop near her or is the dealer her best bet?

Thanks.

Jim.

 

Many thanks Patrick. I didn't hear from her today as she's probably backed up after extending the holiday weekend.