Inverter Coolant leak, followed by ABS and brake lights up

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by DongFeng, Jun 27, 2016.

Tags:
  1. DongFeng

    DongFeng New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 27, 2016
    4
    3
    0
    Location:
    Seattle
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    I have a 2012 Prius Two (27,XXX miles) that suddenly had check engine light on. I stopped and discovered the leakage of inverter coolant from the inverter cooler/radiator, which was probably damaged by a small piece of rock on the highway. I called AAA tow truck that towed it home. After arriving home, I discovered that in addition to the check engine light, the ABS and brake lights are on now. I have ordered a new inverter cooler online and plan to replace it myself. The code error is P0C73.

    My questions are

    1. Why did the ABS and brake lights light up? Could it be a problem caused by inappropriate towing? The Prius was towed while in the Parking mode (hybrid on), with parking brake released, and the front wheels on the wheellock and the rear wheels on the ground.

    2. How do I know if my inverter coolant pump and inverter are still working?

    3. How do I change the inverter cooler? Any guides available for 2012 Prius.

    Thanks in advance to the experts out there.
     
    #1 DongFeng, Jun 27, 2016
  2. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 10, 2013
    16,601
    8,478
    0
    Location:
    Los Angeles, CA
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    II
    I suspect your 12v battery is drained, check voltage
     
    #2 JC91006, Jun 28, 2016
  3. tankyuong

    tankyuong Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 9, 2012
    1,555
    661
    0
    Location:
    Central MO
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius c
    Model:
    II
    hope you didn't fry your inverter
     
    #3 tankyuong, Jun 28, 2016
  4. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 10, 2013
    16,601
    8,478
    0
    Location:
    Los Angeles, CA
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    II
    What is an inverter cooler? The radiator from the car does not cool the inverter, it's only for the engine.
     
    #4 JC91006, Jun 28, 2016
  5. spiff72

    spiff72 Member

    Joined:
    Jan 25, 2011
    184
    37
    0
    Location:
    West Michigan
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    I could be wrong, but I think there is a separate radiator for the inverter coolant (similar to a transmission cooler).

    Also, just a thought regarding ABS and brake lights. When you say "hybrid on", are you stating that the vehicle was towed while in "Ready" mode? Could the system have been confused by the fact that the rear wheels were in motion while the vehicle was in Park?
     
    #5 spiff72, Jun 28, 2016
  6. DongFeng

    DongFeng New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 27, 2016
    4
    3
    0
    Location:
    Seattle
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Update, I have changed the inverter cooler (radiator) and after that all lights went off.
     
    #6 DongFeng, Jul 2, 2016
    Xterra72, Rebound and CR94 like this.
  7. Rebound

    Rebound Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 11, 2010
    3,970
    2,622
    0
    Location:
    Portland, OR
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    That's right. The voltage inverter, which converts the DC power from the battery into AC power for the motor (and vice-versa) can get hot. So there is a separate radiator cooling system for this inverter. This is why, if you look under the hood of your Prius, you'll see two reservoirs with pink coolant.
     
    #7 Rebound, Jul 2, 2016
  8. Rebound

    Rebound Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 11, 2010
    3,970
    2,622
    0
    Location:
    Portland, OR
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    You're a stud!
    I hope you used the Toyota coolant (pink) when you refilled the coolant.
     
    #8 Rebound, Jul 2, 2016
  9. DongFeng

    DongFeng New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 27, 2016
    4
    3
    0
    Location:
    Seattle
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    The problem now is, after AAA towed my car with rear wheels on the ground, the slip indicator light came on. I have disconnected the negative terminal of the 12V battery and left it disconnected for 30 minutes. After I turned on the car, the yellow slip indicator is still there. What can I do to make the light go away? BTW, The car can be driven without problems.
     
    #9 DongFeng, Jul 4, 2016
  10. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 10, 2013
    16,601
    8,478
    0
    Location:
    Los Angeles, CA
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Rear wheels on the ground is the correct way to tow, front wheels on the ground would be a problem
     
    #10 JC91006, Jul 4, 2016
  11. tankyuong

    tankyuong Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 9, 2012
    1,555
    661
    0
    Location:
    Central MO
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius c
    Model:
    II
    drive 3 blocks away it should turn off automatically
     
    #11 tankyuong, Jul 5, 2016
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)