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2012 Plugin AC cuts off at 75 degrees

Discussion in 'Gen 1 Prius Plug-in 2012-2015' started by Harold1968, Jun 25, 2019.

  1. Harold1968

    Harold1968 New Member

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    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    My 2012 Prius plug-in AC compressor and low speed fans cuts off at 75 degrees. Below 75 AC blows ice cold and low speed fans stay on. Any help would be appreciated
     
  2. gallde

    gallde Active Member

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    Plug-in Advanced
    Unclear: You mean that above 75 (setpoint? outdoor temp?) the cooling fails (?) and the fans go to high speed, or off?
     
  3. Harold1968

    Harold1968 New Member

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    Plug-in Base
    75 outdoor temp is when the low speed radiator fans and compressor stop working. The high speed radiator fans do not come on.
     
  4. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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    Welcome, Harold. You might want to check that there's enough freon. There's a sight glass in the low pressure line at the passenger side of the compartment. The quick and dirty check is to see if there are bubbles there when running the A/C full blast on a hot day. Bubbles mean low pressure. Beyond that, you'd need gauges that have not been used on a regular A/C since even a little regular A/C oil will destroy your compressor, and know how to read them.
     
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  5. Harold1968

    Harold1968 New Member

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    Plug-in Base
    Yah I had the dealer charge it. It works perfect except when the engine gets above 75 then the compressor and low speed fans cut off. I was hoping there was other that had the problem. Dealer wants $5400 to replace everything.
     
  6. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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    Yikes. I hope you can find a shop that's experienced with hybrid A/Cs. Sounds like your dealer plans to replace everything. The compressor on my PiP ate itself last year. I got a used one from a hybrid specialist dealer for $100 and the shop he uses for A/C work put it in for $200. Total cost, $300 plus tax. Obviously, if they have to get into the evaporator or other stuff under the dash, it'll cost more, but still ...
     
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  7. Yea Right

    Yea Right Active Member

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    I don't know the electrical details of the PIP A/C, but it sure sounds like a faulty relay of some sort. Maybe find and change any relays associated with A/C and see what happens.
     
  8. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    Overcharged? It will shut down if the high pressure limit is exceeded, and that would explain the over-a-certain-temperature part.
     
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