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Gen3 Hybrid Battery Cooling Fan Mess

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by ReadyToRoll, Apr 24, 2022.

  1. ReadyToRoll

    ReadyToRoll Junior Member

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    This may not win the prize but should be in the top 5, I have put 115k miles on this Prius and I do not even have any pets! The original owner had 4 or 5 dogs that traveled everywhere with her and I just THOUGHT I had found all the pet hair.

    I did earlier look in the intake and exhaust ports but did not go deep enough to see the fan until viewing some videos, ect., wish I had done it sooner. MPG is still good at 45 for a Gen 3 model V with 206k so maybe I dodged a bullet. Dr Prius temps were just below 115F for the middle sensor but I am sure I have lost some battery over these last years.

    PXL_20220424_184541767.jpg PXL_20220424_184625664.jpg

    Some hair had also made it into the battery area but I believe I fished it out. Looks like a hamster lost out on the cage wheel but I know it was just dog hair because of the handfuls I pulled out from under the rear seat when I purchased the car.

    A lot older and a little wiser, you cannot check those fans enough! I think I will hang it on the wall as a reminder.
     
    Montgomery, CR94 and bisco like this.
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    GROSS! :p
     
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  3. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

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    That's really funny because all of my pre from 04 to 13 I have whipped open the fans hoping to see this clogged business and all that all my impellers are white just like the cases of the fan not even gray from dust it's actually quite funny I just cleaned up the connectors waterproof them sealed them up close them all back up nothing happened there and then I see these pictures
     
  4. ReadyToRoll

    ReadyToRoll Junior Member

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    I definitely had the satisfaction of knowing I had made a difference! I have watched some videos where they comment on how dirty, and you can barely see anything.

    Now I am wondering when the fan is supposed to be running? I cannot hear mine and would not be suprised if it was burned out by the mess. I have not checked it very many times yet but also would it throw a code if not spinning??

    Either I have helped the batteries or the 12v battery disconnect reset has improved something because I am seeing 4-5 MPG improvement around town. (I had already done some hard resets lately without the MPG improvement) Highway driving only went up 1 MPG. Not really into logging miles per tankful yet, I would rather believe the computer for now, especially since I am only looking at changes before and after, not focusing on the actual number.

    Thanks
     
  5. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    I've never heard ours, but was monitoring (with ScanGauge II) for some times, and it was supposedly running, quite regularly, and at different speeds. Even under "optimum" conditions, running with fully warmed car, lower speed secondary highway, cool evening, battery would be around 35C and fan on speed 2 (out of maybe 5 speeds).

    On a slow day maybe I should check ours again, it's been a few years.
     
  6. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    Several possibilities:

    1. Your battery was impacted due to no air flow and is doing better now.
    2. You just got a tank of summer blend and are running better.
    3. You are paying attention to your driving now that gas is high.

    All can make a difference but #2 and 3 are most likely.
     
    ReadyToRoll likes this.
  7. ReadyToRoll

    ReadyToRoll Junior Member

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    I have wanted a ScanGauge II for my Mercedes Sprinter for a while, if it does ok with the Prius also I may go ahead and purchase one. I could remove the door trim and run my inspection camera through the intake and just monitor the video screen while someone else is driving.
     
  8. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    These are what you need, since you have dogs.... They work GREAT!

     

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  9. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    It is cool, but apparently the constant weight on the OBD port starting causing isses with mine. I kept getting "check hybrid system" alerts, with work-to-rule brakes. Ceased using SG, and problem stopped. :(
     
  10. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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  11. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

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    I was my lunch break when I saw this. Post Needs a disclaimer for sure.
     
  12. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    My first impression was that I didn’t have brakes. Then, I see they’re still working, but it takes significantly more effort, and they’re not as linear. Plus every brake related light on the dash was lit.

    dealership dismissed codes, called it a “handshake” thing. A couple of times. Third time mechanic notes his Techstream connection was intermittent, suggested not using SG and see if that helps. I followed that advice and had no more issues.
     
  13. ReadyToRoll

    ReadyToRoll Junior Member

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    Wonder if anyone else using a SG can chime in with the same issue? Anyway, the inspection camera will do the job just for on/off operation. Would be interesting to see speeds registered. Thanks
     
    Mendel Leisk likes this.
  14. ReadyToRoll

    ReadyToRoll Junior Member

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    Would be very convenient to use a filter with the grille cover removable. I will need to look again but I did not notice my cover can be removed.
     
  15. ReadyToRoll

    ReadyToRoll Junior Member

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    All accounts make sense, although I am not up on the blending thing. (we buy most of our fuel from Costco, regular grade) I am even trying not to baby the pedal, but it was so exciting to see a boost that I really wanted to see it last !

    The real test will be when I turn it back over to my wife who normally drives it, although she usually keeps the numbers up as much or more than I.
     
  16. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    They sell a cover that snaps over the vent holes.
    I put the mesh in there to make sure I not only caught the fur, but also
    any dirt. And I just pull it off and rinse it in the sink and put it back on.

     
    #16 ASRDogman, Apr 29, 2022
    Last edited: Apr 30, 2022
  17. ReadyToRoll

    ReadyToRoll Junior Member

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    Oh OK, I did not pick up on that aspect. Thanks
     
  18. ReadyToRoll

    ReadyToRoll Junior Member

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    I AGREE! I am afraid it will go viral with any additional attention, I wonder if I could make enough money from it to purchase a spare EGR cooler! No, seriously, do you need any salt and pepper to go with that hair ball you just swallowed? Over and out. :)
     
    Grit likes this.
  19. Dagoba

    Dagoba New Member

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  20. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    Complete with FUR!!!!
    You can see how it snaps in...





     

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