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Inverter Removed = Poorer MPG?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Technical Discussion' started by Marvinh, Dec 6, 2009.

  1. Marvinh

    Marvinh Marvin

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    I had the brake accumulator pump replaced under the Toyota TSB. In doing this job the inverter needed to removed. Now I seem to be getting poorer MPG in city driving (stop & go).

    I'm wondering if taking the inverter out (with all the necessary connections) and putting it back in place would reset or somehow affect gas mileage. I'm noticing now the high voltage battery is usually charged (all green lines).

    Anybody have any thoughts on this?

    Thanks - Marvin
     
    #1 Marvinh, Dec 6, 2009
  2. Rokeby

    Rokeby Member

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    Marvin,

    I suspect that when the work was done it was a standard safety
    precaution for the car to be electrically "dead," that is both the high
    voltage and 12V systems were disconnected. When the 12V system is
    disconnected, the HSD computers loose some of operating data that
    they have "learned," really only stored for use. I've read that it takes
    2-3 weeks for the computer to regain the data.

    Here's a thread on this... I can't say I really understand it:

    http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-ii-...on/45271-how-what-does-prius-cpu-s-learn.html

    For the record was this work covered by any warranty? Does your
    paperwork say how much the two repairs would have cost?
     
    #2 Rokeby, Dec 6, 2009
  3. Marvinh

    Marvinh Marvin

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    Rokeby,

    Thanks for your reply. Very interesting.

    RE: your questions: the work was covered under warranty. My paperwork does not show a final cost, but I know the brake accumulator assembly costs $2,136 alone, plus labor. And the job is estimated to be 4.5-5 hours. So I estimating about $500 in labor costs.

    Marvinh
     
    #3 Marvinh, Dec 6, 2009
  4. northwichita

    northwichita .

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    #4 northwichita, Dec 6, 2009
  5. patsparks

    patsparks An Aussie perspective

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    Yeah, it's rude but someone has to pay for boxes of cardboard and bubble wrap, oh and that lovely spare parts desk with the parts getters behind it.
     
    #5 patsparks, Dec 6, 2009
  6. Boo

    Boo Boola Boola Member

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    Hi Marvin,

    Curious, was the posted labor rate $200 an hour? (Seems high ... I would have expected $90 - $100.)
     
    #6 Boo, Dec 6, 2009
  7. Marvinh

    Marvinh Marvin

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    Tom - Now that you mention it, I haven't seen the posted labor rate. I was just estimating the total labor cost, but you are probably closer to the rate than I am. In any case, I went back and edited my response in my previous post to $500 for labor.

    Thanks - Marvin
     
    #7 Marvinh, Dec 7, 2009
  8. David Beale

    David Beale Senior Member

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    You don't think your drop in mileage is due to winter being here?
     
    #8 David Beale, Dec 7, 2009
  9. Marvinh

    Marvinh Marvin

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    Winter is not yet here in the Northeast. The temps are in the 30's & 40's.

    Marvin
     
    #9 Marvinh, Dec 7, 2009
  10. dhancock

    dhancock 2 Prius Family

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    NY has switched to winter blend gas - that will have a negative impact.
     
    #10 dhancock, Dec 9, 2009
  11. richard schumacher

    richard schumacher shortbus driver

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    The dealer left it ON for a while, they drained the battery somewhat, the weather's colder. All perfectly normal. If they screwed something up it would most likely become obvious soon.
     
    #11 richard schumacher, Dec 11, 2009
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