Just bought it and got Inverter cooling efficiency issue.

Hi All,

I just bought 2009 Prius Base with ~147k from a used car dealer 60 miles away from my home. Car was sold as is. While driving back on highway, all the lights came on and i immediately pulled over. Turned it off, waited few seconds and started again. Now only the red triangle light and brake light. Also even after it is turned off, it is making a whir whir sound every few seconds. A/C turned off automatically after few minutes. Was driving at highway with mild acceleration. Came back and scanned with the OBD reader. Error code was Inverter efficiency issue (forgot the exact message) and accidentally i cleared it. A/C started working again after few minutes, i guess after cool down. No other driving issues. Drove 2-3 miles again and it didn't came back.

I did search for this all points to bad inverter coolant pump or low coolant. Coolant level is in the middle and it seems fan(s) are coming on (didn't check if one or both are coming on). I was planning to check the turbulence in the reservoir and since the car is still hot, i didn't open it. The whir whir sound every few seconds seems to be coming from the inverter area. Checked the car fax report and seems they replaced the coolant sensor when it was at 75k and no recall for inverter coolant pump was done.

1. Does any one tried to activate the coolant pump with the Foxwell scanner software with Toyota software pack or it needs the Techstream software ? I already have the Foxwell NT530. This is the guaranteed way to check the pump. If the Techstream is needed, which dongle / software? I also have a 2014 Avalon Hybrid with 75k on it. If it can check each fans, pump, it would be really nice. I have the factory software for my old bmw and it can control all electronics modules. I am hoping that level of control.

2. Planning to replace the pump anyway and replace coolant with Toyota coolant. The coolant pump for engine, any life span for this? Should i replace this as well? Regular cars like the Odyssey i have, i replace it at 100k with TB job.

Thanks in advance..

 

Thank you. Checked the inverter coolant tank. No flow when engine is running. Inverter coolant pump is shot. Ordering a new one now.

Since i don't know the history of maintenance, i am going to do the following. Please correct me if i am wrong.
1.Inverter pump and coolant
2. Cabin filter. Engine filter seems to be new
3. ICE coolant
4. Spark plugs.
5. Brake fluid
6. Transmission fluid.
7. Engine oil, seems to be ok. But don't want to take chances
8. All tires. They are really bad.
9. Hood latch is out of sync. Only the top part locks. Seems something pushed in it. Need to fix it. Now, anyone from outside can open it.
10. Horn seems to be disconnected. Need to fix it. Also even though no history, seems it was in some kind of accident. Please see below pictures. The hood latch and the inverter one one side is attached with multiple washers.

Also found an old brake actuator assembly in the trunk. Seems they replaced it. Not sure.

 

I bought the Inverter coolant pump(G9020-47031), coolant (00272-SLLC2), spark plugs and ATF from the local dealer. Will be picking it up when it is ready. The pump is shot. No movement of fluid in the reservoir. The plugs seems to be worn. ATF, just want to change it because i don't know the history.

Regarding the aftermarket/ebay/amazon parts, i got burned once with spark plugs. It was fake and the plugs which were supposed to last 100k on the Odyssey, at 3000 miles, they were in bad shape. Luckily i got it on time. Will never ever buy aftermarket/ebay/amazon parts. So many fake parts. On the odyssey forums, there are stories of so many people who bought the TB kit from ebay/amazon with Honda sticker and got bent valves because of the bad belt.

 

I am planning to do it on 4 jack stands or 2 on ramps and other 2 on jack stands and in level position. I had done this on my bmw Z3. Had to use the hand pump to fill it in, same method on the Passat i had earlier. So kind of know the idea. Since there is no warm up, recheck and refill procedure like those cars, it is little easier. Just drain and fill until it overflows through fill plug right? Like a differential fluid change.

The Avalon hybrid i have, the dealer did it at 45k. It was still under warranty. Wanted to do it, but didn't want to mess up the warranty.

Still waiting for parts. Seems the inverter coolant pump, they don't have it in stock. I am hoping to do all next Sunday. Will update.

 

Just finished replacing spark plugs, engine oil (full synthetic 5W30 with Toyota filter), ATF, Inverter coolant pump and coolant. Also the engine coolant was slightly low. Topped it off.Took 4 hours for all. Now i can see the coolant movement in the inverter coolant reservoir and it was not there before. Also bleed it using the procedure. No more air bubbles.

After i did the spark plugs(they were looking bad), put the rear of car on ramps and front on jack stands. Verified car is level using a level and did all the fluid changes. Noticed slight pink color under engine water pump area. Also checked the brake fluid again. 2% moisture level. Next, brake fluid and engine coolant.

Brake actuator is making noise, but no codes so far. Car seems to be running smoother. As per Carfax, previous oil change was 2 years ago, but with only 1k miles. So wanted to change all fluids. It might have been changed, not sure.

 

Thank you @pasadena_commut . Just saw the video. it was really helpful.

On my Avalon Hybrid, i did both. I used the vacuum method for the brake bleeding. Not the regular method or invalid mode method. Planning to do the same. Followed CarCareNut's YT video.

Coolant, i saw some seepage under the water pump area, but coolant level was little low like 2 teaspoons. That's it. Wonder if i need to change the water pump also along with its belt and Thermostat. Planning to give it to my teenage son. So want everything to be in good shape

Tomorrow taking it to Discount tire for replacing tires and TPMS sensors. TPMS sensor, they charge $60 per tire. Seems the standard rate for all cars.

About the software, i have foxwell nt 530 with Honda software pack. Does any one tried the Toyota software pack from them? Also which one is good ebay alternative? I will check Autel AP200. Since the brake fluid is 2% moisture level, i think it should last little bit more here in Dallas, TX heat. No moisture in the dry air.

 

3 way coolant valve, is this a maintenance item? Part 16670-21010. Also i can't find the part number for the tensioner pulley.

 

Thanks.. i will not change it then.. Its bad that no temperature gauge on car

 

Changed all 4 tires with TPMS sensor. Car is quiet now and no more TPMS light. Other than the krr sound every few seconds from the brake actuator, it is silent now.