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Air Conditioning Works Intermittently

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by sdtravelin, May 20, 2010.

  1. sdtravelin

    sdtravelin New Member

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    2007 Prius
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    2006 Prius with 58,000 miles. Drive in San Diego and Palm Springs. Earlier this year, the A/C would just cut off, maybe about once a week. The control panel indicated the A/C should be on, but absolutely no function. Drive around for 20 minutes, and all of a sudden, it would come on and work perfectly. It is starting to happen on a daily basis now...sometimes it won't work from start, other times it just cuts out while driving. I can park the car and shut the car off with the A/C working, then come back 30 minutes, and no A/C. It doesn't seem to matter which setting is selected. The control panel accepts all commands, but no function changes when the A/C has shut itself off. Loose connection somewhere? It works about 90% of the time, and blows very cold. When it shuts itself off, no air passes through the vents at all. Thanks
     
  2. sdtravelin

    sdtravelin New Member

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    Clarification...I don't recall it actually shutting off while driving, it just won't work sometimes on initial startup....about 1 in 5 times now. Then after 5 to 25 minutes, the A/C comes on. Thanks
     
  3. BAllanJ

    BAllanJ Active Member

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    If it's in the normal auto mode it will only blow cold air if the interior temp is above the set point, or hot air if well below if the engine is warm. It isn't like the old systems. This may be your problem. Check for auto and what the temp setting is (push temp button on the steering wheel and look at the display)
     
  4. statultra

    statultra uber-Senior Member

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    this used to happen to my car i pinned it down to a solar sensor once i erased the codes on the a/c ecu the problem went away
     
  5. SW03ES

    SW03ES Senior Member

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    The auto system should always blow SOME air though...unless it is off. It will always be circulating air.

    Sounds to be like a bad blower motor...
     
  6. chico-prius

    chico-prius New Member

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  7. chico-prius

    chico-prius New Member

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    how did you find/erase the codes??? (BTW, I'm having the exact same problem on 09 Prius. A/C and fan work when car is cold. If left out in sun, A/C and fan won't come on for 5-25 minutes, even though display says they're on. Dealer wanted $1,725.00 to drop dash and check evaporator with "no promises" it would fix problem ... LOL, yeah, right !!!)
     
  8. Mazinio

    Mazinio Junior Member

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    Hey chico, did you ever find how to erase those codes? I'm having exactly the same problem with my prius now for the last couple of years. In extreme heat sometimes the a/c won't turn on, now it's winter and the heating decides to work only 40% of the time. Did you figure out what the problem actually was. Could really use some help.

    Thanks
     
  9. ArthurR

    ArthurR New Member

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    Hi guys, I'm having same issue. The previous owner changed the compressor, so it started to.work. I bought the car and as soon as I left the whole thing shut down on the highway at night in rain 6 lanes me in the middle (no lights no power steering brakes nothing). I get few error codes, one P0A93 which is the inverter water pump. I changed the battery, became worse and would shut off. Got a brand new 12v battery yet again, now betit's better. But sometimes the compressor goes on sometimes just turns off and blows unconditionned air. Sometimes I let the car sit off for 20 minutes and ac would turn on. Sometimes not. I now have 2 12v batteries connected lol and car is functioning better but still. Setting dont matter, auto or not doesn't matter (never use auto, I'm iMiami the setting is always on 69. The red triangle of death is on. Just very weird things are happening with the car. I do deliveries at 3 jobs and it's now getting to a point where I'm tired of spending money and not getting the ac problem fixed. Also oxygen sensor code but that really shouldn't have anything to do with this. Any help will be VERY VERY APPRECIATED!
     
  10. Skibob

    Skibob Senior Member

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    Have you checked to see if the inverter pump is working? Take the cap off the inverter reservoir, you should see the coolant flowing. If you don’t there is a problem.
     
  11. Mazinio

    Mazinio Junior Member

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    Hey did to ever find how to resolve this. Having the same problem. AC not working at all then might kick in after a while, sometimes not at all. It's getting hot here in LA and am dreading it. Seems like something electrical for sure. Ok I'm aboto change 12v battery. Fingers crossed.

     
  12. Mazinio

    Mazinio Junior Member

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    Location:
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    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
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    ----USA----
    Hey did to ever find how to resolve this. Having the same problem. AC not working at all then might kick in after a while, sometimes not at all. It's getting hot here in LA and am dreading it. Seems like something electrical for sure. Ok I'm aboto change 12v battery. Fingers crossed.