2012 Prius -- air conditioning console and eco button mode not working

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by Dan 2012 Prius, Jun 20, 2022.

  1. Dan 2012 Prius

    Dan 2012 Prius New Member

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    Okay, so basically randomly the thin AC console screen in the middle won't power on. In addition, the eco mode button won't power on as well. Strangely enough, the EV button/power button DOES work.

    Before I spend like 250$ on a diagnosis, any help from the Prius community would be very helpful.

    Some stats:

    230,000 miles.

    I just fixed a blown gasket at Gasket Masters, so now it drives well again.

    when the AC system was on, it was losing 'cold air' power.

    the refrigerant coolant/vacuum wouldn't restore it's cold air.
     
    #1 Dan 2012 Prius, Jun 20, 2022
  2. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    Disconnect the 12v for a few minutes and see if it's just a glitch that's fixed by rebooting the whole system.
     
    #2 PriusCamper, Jun 21, 2022
  3. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    curious how much it cost to repair head gasket? Maybe the AC needs to be recharged, it might not have the correct amount of refrigerant in there
     
    #3 JC91006, Jun 21, 2022
  4. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    Last time I called a reputable shop in Western Washington they quoted $1700. And usually price at the Toyota Stealership is figured by doubling that price...
     
    #4 PriusCamper, Jun 21, 2022
  5. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    Gasket Master suppose to be a good shop to do this (with their youtube videos). Just curious in the LA area, how much he paid. I personally would go with a new used engine if it's over 200k miles for about $3000
     
    #5 JC91006, Jun 21, 2022
  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    anyone ever spill anything on it?
     
    #6 bisco, Jun 21, 2022
  7. Dan 2012 Prius

    Dan 2012 Prius New Member

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    no
     
    #7 Dan 2012 Prius, Jun 22, 2022
  8. Dan 2012 Prius

    Dan 2012 Prius New Member

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    You mean the battery in back?
     
    #8 Dan 2012 Prius, Jun 22, 2022
  9. Dan 2012 Prius

    Dan 2012 Prius New Member

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    Anyone else have advice? Just the eco button and the air conditioning console don't turn on
     
    #9 Dan 2012 Prius, Jun 24, 2022
  10. Eddie25

    Eddie25 Active Member

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    Do you have a wiring diagram? I searched 'eco' on mine and on page 14 you can see the eco switch grounds something in the 'A/C amplifier assembly'. I'd check power and grounds to that, wherever it is. Did it happen immediately after the HG repair?
     
    #10 Eddie25, Jun 26, 2022
  11. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    ^ this. Typically, when you see some entire unit like the A/C control panel not powering up, intermittently, there's going to be some kind of not-rocket-science wiring issue involved.

    See this post for where the amplifier is located.
     
    #11 ChapmanF, Jun 26, 2022
  12. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Have you cleaned the EGR components, including the intake manifold? If you haven’t: best get on it to avoid another head gasket failure.
     
    #12 Mendel Leisk, Jun 26, 2022
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