1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Heater Issue a

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by Derek Cook, Feb 26, 2018.

Tags:
  1. Derek Cook

    Derek Cook New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 19, 2018
    8
    1
    0
    Location:
    Buckeye, Arizona
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Hello, I am having a strange issue with my 2011's heater. I replaced the blower motor last week, because it stopped blowing air all together. Now, the Cold air blows strong, but the hot air blows really weak, even on the highest setting. The cabin air filter is new, I'm not too sure what else to check. Does anyone have any ideas? thanks.
     
  2. tankyuong

    tankyuong Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 9, 2012
    1,555
    660
    0
    Location:
    Central MO
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius c
    Model:
    II
    how hot does it get and check for air pockets in your cooling system
     
  3. Derek Cook

    Derek Cook New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 19, 2018
    8
    1
    0
    Location:
    Buckeye, Arizona
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Air gets very hot, just doesn't blow out strong. How would I go about checking for air pockets? Thank you.
     
  4. jdenenberg

    jdenenberg EE Professor

    Joined:
    Nov 21, 2005
    3,837
    1,828
    1
    Location:
    Trumbull, CT
    Vehicle:
    2020 Prius
    Model:
    LE AWD-e
    Blowing is a fan issue, air pockets in the coolant would cause no heating of the blowing air. Check for a clogged cabin air filter (it is behind the glove box). If that is not the problem you will have to have the fan motor retested and the wiring from the blower controller.

    JeffD
     
  5. Derek Cook

    Derek Cook New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 19, 2018
    8
    1
    0
    Location:
    Buckeye, Arizona
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Would the fan motor be to blame, even if cold air is blowing strong? I just replaced the blower motor, does it have separate settings for hot and cold? Thank you.
     
  6. jdenenberg

    jdenenberg EE Professor

    Joined:
    Nov 21, 2005
    3,837
    1,828
    1
    Location:
    Trumbull, CT
    Vehicle:
    2020 Prius
    Model:
    LE AWD-e
    I agree, the blower seems ok. That leaves a possible wiring issue by the technician.

    JeffD
     
    Derek Cook likes this.
  7. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 30, 2008
    23,332
    15,111
    0
    Location:
    Indiana, USA
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    I don't think there's separate wiring to the fan for heating and cooling. If it blows for cooling, it's wired. And the cabin filter is probably not switching from clogged to unclogged based on heating or cooling either. One thing that does change between heating and cooling mode is the airflow path. I think I'd be checking that the dampers reach their appropriate positions and there isn't some obstruction in there.

    Have you checked for any codes from the heater? No tool is needed, you just call them up on the heater's own LCD display.

    -Chap
     
    Bay Stater and Derek Cook like this.
  8. Derek Cook

    Derek Cook New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 19, 2018
    8
    1
    0
    Location:
    Buckeye, Arizona
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Thank you, I did not think of that. How do you call up codes on the display?
     
  9. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 30, 2008
    23,332
    15,111
    0
    Location:
    Indiana, USA
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    If I remember right, it's something like holding down auto+recirc while powering the car on. It's in a lot of posts if you search. (Sorry to be hasty ... I'm designated snack bringer for a rehearsal tonight....)

    -Chap
     
    Derek Cook likes this.
  10. Derek Cook

    Derek Cook New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 19, 2018
    8
    1
    0
    Location:
    Buckeye, Arizona
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Thank you! I will look that up!