Living in inverted times

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by Greenteapri, Nov 27, 2020.

  1. Greenteapri

    Greenteapri Active Member

    Joined:
    Nov 19, 2018
    328
    384
    0
    Location:
    Cypress
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    It happened. Christmas came early...

    20201127_113934.jpg



    Which Gen three surprise was it this time, you guessed it, P324E, P0A7A, P0A93, P0A94.

    Good guesses.

    Screenshot_20201127-173449_Gallery.jpg

    Alternative factoid, the inverter has gone the way of my turkey dinner. BTW, happy belated turkey day!

    Good news! Toyota is covering all costs related to said post Thanksgiving dinner. Here is a rough estimate of the parts being replaced:


    04899-47070 TRANSISTOR KIT, P0WE

    08826-00100 SEAL PACKING

    00272-SLLC2 SUPER LONG LIFE COOL

    04899-47060 PLUG KIT, INVERTER *

    90430-A0003 GASKET

    G922L-47010 COVER, INVERTER SIGN

    90105-A0431 BOLT, FLANGE

    091X1-47020 SEAL, MASKING, NO.1

    08887-02809 GREASE X 23 7884 4


    Now, time to light up my Christmas tree like Toyota has lit up my dash.

    Cheers,

    -Eggnog
     
    #1 Greenteapri, Nov 27, 2020
  2. wheezyglider

    wheezyglider Active Member

    Joined:
    Mar 12, 2011
    247
    177
    0
    Location:
    SF Bay Area
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Five
    Hey I guess that's lucky? (Since you get most of a new inverter on Toyota's dime.) Are they covering it under the normal warranty or is it a "goodwill" thing? Did you have the inverter recall software update applied previously? I wonder if it might be a good time to replace the pump while they're at it...
     
    #2 wheezyglider, Nov 29, 2020
  3. Greenteapri

    Greenteapri Active Member

    Joined:
    Nov 19, 2018
    328
    384
    0
    Location:
    Cypress
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    Good questions. I do plan on replacing the pump sooner rather than later. I want to give the parts parts some thorough testing though. :)

    I'm lucky that Toyota covered the costs of fixing the issue but will it fail prematurely again?

    Toyota issued a 'Warranty Enhancement Program' for gen 3 2010-2014 model years. It's weird that the 2015 model year isn't listed:unsure::unsure::unsure:. Did the 2015 get updated inverters with rings and pistons?!

    I did get the update, related to this, a little over a year ago. Looking back from then, I did notice some odd behaviors from said update. Comparing my time with the car before the update, with the update and now with a new inverter I am realizing some trends with this experience. More on that with time.

    The inverter does a few functions:

    -It takes in the high voltage form the battery and reduces it to a lower voltage
    -It powers the AC
    -It drives the motor generators

    I noticed it's not a new inverter but the invoice said they used a IPM transistor kit. Is this the brains of the inverter they replaced?
     
    #3 Greenteapri, Dec 20, 2020
  4. Ed Beaty

    Ed Beaty Active Member

    Joined:
    Jul 13, 2018
    334
    306
    0
    Location:
    Salt Lake City
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    "Is this the brains of the inverter they replaced?"

    My understanding is that it's not the inverter 'overheating' per se, but the inability of the transistors Toyota designed into the inverter to tolerate heat. The transistors fail; the inverter fails. Thus, they replace the transistor set with one that is hopefully more robust and heat-resistant.
     
    #4 Ed Beaty, Dec 20, 2020
  5. wheezyglider

    wheezyglider Active Member

    Joined:
    Mar 12, 2011
    247
    177
    0
    Location:
    SF Bay Area
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Five
    Yes, and to add what might already be obvious -- these transistors are more the actual brawn than brains of the inverter. One hears "transistors" and thinks logic gates and CPUs, but this is more like MOSFETs which physically control the actual flow of power.
     
    #5 wheezyglider, Dec 21, 2020
  6. Troy McClure

    Troy McClure New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 28, 2021
    3
    0
    0
    Location:
    New York
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    II
    I just went through the same ordeal, and Toyota also covered the costs. When I noticed that the Inverter wasn't fully replaced, I looked to see what they did do and it was indeed the transistor replacement. I too have the same concerns you had as to whether it was a band aid and would ultimately fail again. Can you please share if you have had any problems since? Thanks!
     
    #6 Troy McClure, Apr 9, 2021
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)
Loading...
Similar Threads - Living inverted times
  1. Georgina Rudkus

    Prius Gen 3 and v inverter class action legal settlement

    Georgina Rudkus, Jul 16, 2022, in forum: Gen 3 Prius Main Forum
    Replies:
    46
    Views:
    4,306
    ChapmanF
    Aug 5, 2022 at 9:51 PM
  2. rosipov

    Urban Prius living

    rosipov, Sep 23, 2015, in forum: Gen 3 Prius Main Forum
    Replies:
    4
    Views:
    2,238
    2011RedPrius
    Mar 20, 2017
  3. Chosen 1

    anyone live around E. Plano Texas?

    Chosen 1, Mar 5, 2011, in forum: Gen 3 Prius Main Forum
    Replies:
    3
    Views:
    915
    spiderman
    Mar 6, 2011
  4. luvmypriushybrid

    How to use the air conditioner w/o compromising fuel efficiency..Live in South Florida

    luvmypriushybrid, Nov 27, 2010, in forum: Gen 3 Prius Main Forum
    Replies:
    23
    Views:
    4,700
    qbee42
    Nov 30, 2010
  5. That_Prius_Car

    According to the hearing, Toyota vehicles have claimed 39 lives.

    That_Prius_Car, Feb 25, 2010, in forum: Gen 3 Prius Main Forum
    Replies:
    14
    Views:
    1,813
    TonyPSchaefer
    Feb 26, 2010