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Inverter pump failed twice in 2 months

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Harshal Karande, Jul 18, 2022.

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  1. mr_guy_mann

    mr_guy_mann Senior Member

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    No turbulence means that there isn't coolant circulating through the inverter cooling system. Could be that the pump is bad. Or the pump doesn't have power/ground. Or the cooling system is air bound. Or the system is clogged.

    Does the pump hum and vibrate slightly when the car is on- ready?

    Could be that the radiator has clogged air or coolant passages.

    Without testing, everything is guessing.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    #21 mr_guy_mann, Jul 19, 2022
  2. mr_guy_mann

    mr_guy_mann Senior Member

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    You need a scantool that can let you read inverter temperatures. One of the first signs of inverter overheat is that it disables the A/C compressor .

    Again, it's possible to have air in the system or restricted radiator. Do both radiator fans work?

    When you check the coolant circulation, does the pump hum "quietly" (barely hear it) or does it "growl" a bit?

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    #22 mr_guy_mann, Jul 19, 2022
  3. Harshal Karande

    Harshal Karande New Member

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    I can not really hear the pump noise. Surely it is quiet. I know it's working only when I touch the hose or see the turbulence.
    I can not really check the radiator as i am not sure if I have the tools to open the plastic top on it. I will go check and update here.
     
    #23 Harshal Karande, Jul 19, 2022
  4. mr_guy_mann

    mr_guy_mann Senior Member

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    How much time it takes to "do the job properly" depends greatly on locale and condition.

    Some parts of the country, you can clamp off the hoses, zip out the 3 mounting screws (reuse the old bracket) and swap the pump fairly quickly. (I think there's more room to do that on halogen headlight cars). In some cases that's "all you need" (?)

    In the rust belt, having every screw snap off when trying to remove them adds time. Flushing all the white grit from 15 year old coolant adds time. Replacing all the rusted and failing coolant clamps on the trans and radiator adds time. Driving the car long enough to confirm that inverter temperature stays normal adds time. Can take much more than an hour in some cases. Hopefully, one gets what one pays for, and no less.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    #24 mr_guy_mann, Jul 19, 2022
  5. Harshal Karande

    Harshal Karande New Member

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    I tried to run the AC at night when it cooled down a little and AC worked fine. Within 15-20 seconds I could feel the cool airflow.
    Although when I started the AC, I could hear a growling noise from under the hood. The car was in the garage. So the sound level is higher than I hear out on the street. So I am not sure if it is supposed to be like that.
    It stopped when I turned off the AC. So for sure, it must be either the Radiator or the Compressor. But the sound is not the sound of the compressor trying to start up (the krrrrrr sound for few seconds periodically) as shown in many videos on YouTube. It is a continuous sound. AC does give cool air so the compressor is working. Or maybe periodically failing if that is possible.
    I am afraid that it might get damaged if I turn it on and keep it on.
    I did a 30 mins trip today morning and checked if the inverter was hot. It was not that hot. I could keep my hand on it for longer. The inverter pump was also working fine.
    Is it still possible that the compressor might be faulty? Can it be the pressure? Can a poor 12V battery affect in some way? Anything else comes to mind?
     
    #25 Harshal Karande, Jul 20, 2022
    Last edited: Jul 20, 2022
  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    electric compressor is always noisy. and variable speed, so noise can change
     
    #26 bisco, Jul 20, 2022
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  7. Harshal Karande

    Harshal Karande New Member

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    Hello guys,
    Interesting turn!!!
    The day I got inverter pump replaced, it was working. I could see the turbulence in coolant reservoir and I could hear the aquarium pump like sound.
    Now, there is absolutely no turbulence in the reservoir. I can still feel the pump working and it sounds like aquarium pump. May be, just may be 10% extra vibration.
    So far lights on the dashboard. Limiting my rides to 20-30 mins max with no AC at all.
    I think now I need to find out what are the reasons the pump might fail. It can be one of those things that might be causing the problem.
    Can you guys suggest please?
     
    #27 Harshal Karande, Jul 22, 2022
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  8. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    it's a pretty unusual situation. i wonder if you're having voltage problems to the pump.

    did you ever find out if it is oem?
     
    #28 bisco, Jul 22, 2022
  9. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    Take it here before you burn up your inverter or electric motors.

    73070EBC-AB29-4376-8C1D-1DBD2EC83142.jpeg
     
    #29 rjparker, Jul 22, 2022
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  10. Harshal Karande

    Harshal Karande New Member

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    If I am not wrong, OEM means the official part.
    Yes. I bought the part from AutoNation Toyota Buena Park. It's the new upgraded one G9020-47031. The previous 2 that failed were aftermarket ones. The one installed now is (at least that's what gave to the mechanic. no trust remaining whatsoever with him.) the OEM part.
     
    #30 Harshal Karande, Jul 22, 2022
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  11. dolj

    dolj Senior Member

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    It does not sound like your pump has failed from what you've said.

    That being the case, the most likely thing is a blockage somewhere in the coolant path. You will need to start disconnecting the hoses one by one and flushing them through to confirm there is no blockage. Keep going until you find the blockage.
     
    #31 dolj, Jul 23, 2022
  12. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    This post has a diagram to guide you through searching for the blockage.

    In that thread, the person ended up finding a hose that was blocked because there was somehow a bolt inside it, but I'd like to think that won't be the usual answer.
     
    #32 ChapmanF, Jul 23, 2022
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  13. Harshal Karande

    Harshal Karande New Member

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    I took it to the Hybridpit and they were really friendly and informative. Most importantly they cared.
    So what the mechanic said is that the coolant is going to the pump but not coming out. She can feel the vibration on the hose that takes coolant in to the inverter but does not feel any vibration coming out of it. Most likely there is a clog or corrosion in the inverter which can not be flushed out. So the inverter would have to be replaced.
     
    #33 Harshal Karande, Jul 28, 2022
  14. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    wow, that's a new one. luckily, used inverters are said to be cheap.
     
    #34 bisco, Jul 28, 2022
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