2008 Malfunction and trouble codes

Well, since I picked up my Prius, it's been up and running again...no sign of bad battery. But the heater/air conditioner gets stuck; no air blowing. This problem started just this past summer. I thought replacing the water pump would solve the problem, because it seems the system is overheating. But it's still doing it and around the monitor gets hot. Is it simply A/C unit is going bad? Does anyone have this problem?

 

This is usually a problem with the brushes (stuck or worn) in the heater fan motor.

You can check this out by removing the cabin air filter and if you look down through the slot with the fan turned on low you should see it rotating. If it is not try spinning it with you fingers, as this usually starts it running.

It is easy to remove from below and can either be serviced by you or an aftermarket motor is available cheaply.

 

I have used Bosch plugs in the UK on other vehicles without problems, but the consensus of opinion hear on PC is not to use Bosch because of quality problems.

Maybe the US and UK/EU plugs are made in different places, but Bosch parts are normally of high quality this side of the pond.

 

They are high quality here as well. I fear some people on this side of the pond are biased.

 

O.K. I'll try to do it by myself. Thank you so much!

 

Let us know what you find and ask if you strike problems.

 

I live on this side of the pond you live on that side of the pond.

 

Ok, I got you. Lol

 

I went to oil change yesterday, and the dealer tech check-marked the drive belt was cracked. So I asked the service writer about it, and he said as a car gets old, the belt get old and needs to replace. I just had the water pump replaced about a month ago. If it's the case, they didn't replace the belt, I i magine... Or are we talking about a different belt?

 

There is no different belt. There is only one drive belt on the gen2 Prius and it drives the engine water pump (coolant pump). It drives nothing else as the Prius does not have an alternator, and the AC is electrically driven, as is the power steering, it seems this dealer is trying to have two bites of the same cherry.

I would go back and ask that they change the belt for just material cost (still expensive) as this should have been replaced at the same time as the pump. The dealership can have no reasonable excuse for this.

John (Britprius)

 

Norie, the 2G North American Prius has four coolant pumps:

The pump powered by the serpentine belt is the engine coolant pump.
The pump covered by the recent recall is the inverter/transaxle coolant pump.

In addition, there is a coolant heat recovery system pump, and a heater core pump.

If the "water pump" that you posted about is the inverter/transaxle coolant pump, then the repair tech would not have had any reason to do anything with the serpentine belt.

 

Good point Patrick.

 

O.K. Thanks for all the inputs. Next thing is the oil weight they use for Prius. The owners manual & oil cap say 5W30. But my local dealer put 5W20. So I questioned them. Then they said it's o.k. to use 5W20 on all Toyota vihicles because we are in south region. Does anybody agree w/that?

 

What does "south region" mean? Can you be more specific?

 

Many on here use 0w20 oil as I do myself. I was not aware that there is such an oil as 5w20 but could be wrong. It would be advisable to keep a check on the oil level on a regular basis "if you do not already" just in case your engine uses more of the lighter viscosity oil.

John (Britprius)

 

That doesn't necessary make sense to me. I think 5/30 would be more appropriate for warm areas 5/20 for cooler areas, but looking in the maintenance manual it doesn't specify 5W20 at all.
It states that 5/30 is recommended, if it's not available use 10/30 but use 5/30 on next change.
http://www.toyota.com/t3Portal/document/om/OM47614U/pdf/sec_04_03.pdf

I'd ask for the copy of the TSP or Service advisory to use 5/20 vice the 5/30 to keep with the paperwork.

Also this is from the Service Manual (1NZ-FXE LUBRICATION – LUBRICATION SYSTEM):
2. CHECK ENGINE OIL QUALITY
(a) Check the oil for deterioration, water intrusion,
discoloring or thinning.
If the oil quality is visibly poor, replace the oil.
Oil grade:
Use API grade SL "Energy-Conserving", or
ILSAC multi grade engine oil.
SAE 5W-30 is the best choice for good fuel
economy and good starting in cold weather.
If SAE 5W-30 is not available, SAE 10W-30 may
be used.
However, it should be replaced with SAE 5W-
30 at the next oil replacement.


That being said you're ahead of the game if your changing your oil regularly and the difference between 5/20 and 5/30 isn't major.
Motor oil - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
http://www.api.org/certifications/engineoil/categories/upload/motor_oil_guide_2010_120210.pdf

 

I'm not sure what " south region" means, but I'm in Florida. The local b/s dealer is Bob Tyler in Pensacola, Fl.; quoted it's o.k. to use 5W20 in all Toyotas! Yes, I read the owner's manual, and it didn't state anything about 5W20 though it mensioned to use 10W30 if 5W30 is not available. I asked them for a copy of written permission to use 5W20 on all Toyotas, because I was going to send it to Toyota Headquarter, but of course they don't have it. On top of that, if I want to use 5W30 on my Prius, they have to use bottled oil, not bulk, so I have to pay more, and they refused to put 5W30!! Well, I reported to Toyota Customer Relations yesterday. Today I spoke to the service manager of Bob Tyler, and they finally changed to 5W30 w/no charge.

 

I agree with your comment. Usually you would expect to use a heavier viscosity in a warmer area, not the reverse.

Well, that is not correct. For example, the current Prius (2010+ model years) needs 0W20.

I'm glad that you got 5W30 after all (as long as they didn't just park your car in the service parking lot, have you wait a couple of hours, then tell you that the oil was exchanged without actually doing anything...)

 

Oh, I know what you mean, so I digged... I asked the service writer how I would know they're gonna put wright weight this time, if they do change. He was upset, but the service manager came and said they'll show me when they put oil, and they did