2007 Prius P1116 code and coolant control valve issues

My 2007 Prius is 2 years old and has 19K. It has been in and out of the dealership 4 times in 3 months...physically at the service department for 15+ days.

It started with a MIL light. I brought it in for a 20K service and they cleared the codes..said they'd taken care of whatever the issue had been. The Mil was back on the next day.

That next visit the 'coolant flow control valve' was replaced. No indication of what codes prompted this, but the codes were cleared. I took the car home. Two days later, MIL appears again.

During the next visit, the 'coolant tank sensor' was replaced. The codes were cleared. A few days later, MIL lights up again.

Over the holidays, the dealership had my Prius for 6 business days. The technician decided after much discussion and testing, that the original 'coolant flow control valve' was defective and had to be replaced again. His paperwork indicated that the P1116 code had come up 3 times since the replacement of the original 'coolant flow control valve. Took the vehicle home. Ran great for a week, but the MIL came on again.

I took it to Advanced Auto. Their code detector got another P1116 with the 2nd 'coolant flow control valve'.

I really need some advice. I bought this vehicle new. It's never been in an accident. I have never had any issues until that dreaded light came on in early November 08, and now it seems it won't go away. Am I dealing with a lemon now? Do I try another dealership? Do I call Toyota Corp?

Is this particular issue/code causing damage to the engine as it continues to malfunction? Every time I turn the vehicle on now, I'm looking for that light. It's driving me crazy. I love my car, but I don't know what to do. I would appreciate any advice.

 

Thanks dogfriend...given that the current technician has not come to that conclusion after 4 visits, do you think it's wise to try another dealer?

The problem is this dealer is already 1.5 hrs away, the next closest is 2, the next is 2.5. This is total drag. I've put 1000 miles on the car just trying to get this straight.

 

Thanks for easing my worries about any possible engine harm.

...so the MIL light was on for less than 24 hrs this time. I spoke to the dealer this morning to make them aware.

...what are the chances that this code is popping as a result of the computer's history, and what is the likelihood it will clear itself after a number of cycles???

 

My water pump has not been replaced yet....but I have read before about problems with air being bled out of the cooling system.

I have also contacted Toyota and have a case manager. I am going to be contacted by an agent in my 'region' by the end of business January 23rd. I will let you all know the outcome.

My MIL light has been on 3 times since my last appointment over the holidays. It's currently been lit for 2 days. Depending on the response from the agent, I bet I'll be back at the shop sometime next week.

 

Re: Mike Dimmick...The first visit was code P0125 INST TEMP FOR COOLANT CLOSED LOOP. The correction listed by tech: Reprogrammed PCM EG8014. No part replacement.The second visit produced code P1121/SERVICE BULLETIN #EG001-08. Correction listed: R&R Coolant Flow Control Valve, part 16670-21010 Valve Assy, Water W replaced.The 3rd visit produced code P1116 TEMP STACK MALFUNCTION DUE TO FAILURE INTERNAL OIL TEMP SENSOR. The correction listed: R&R Coolant Tank Temp Sensor, part 89429-47010 Sensor, Temperature replaced.The 4th visit produced code P1116 3 times since replacement of CHS Valve. Local tech spoke with corp. tech, who told him to bleed and retest. If that did not work, replace valve again, which the local tech did.I continue to get P1116. That's why I've been looking for answers in this forum and currently have Toyota looking at my case. The above info was pulled from dealership tickets... Thanks

 

Toyota Corp. has set up an appt. for a regional tech rep to look at my car Tues the 27th. I will let you all know the outcome.

 

Just to update everyone, I should have my prius back this week sometime. I've had the loaner now a full week. The Master Tech looked at my prius last Thursday, and they've ordered parts etc....something about replacing the 'coolant tank assembly' and other parts associated with that.

I will post the exact parts and problems addressed after I pick up the vehicle. It's tough to remember the exact details of the conversation.

MB

 

My current dealer is 90 minutes away...the next closest dealer is 2 hours 15 minutes. I know what you're hinting towards. I'm picking up my car this evening. We'll see how it goes, and if I have another issue (fingers crossed), I'll just have to consider all my options....again.

 

4:45pm: Picked up my prius. They replaced 3 parts. 87200-47030 Accessory Assembly, 16660-21011 Tank Assembly, 89422-33030 Sensor Water Temp. Total cost under warranty for parts and labor $2340.08

5:00pm: Leave Toyota Dealership.

5:15pm: 30 degrees outside, and I notice the car is not heating up. Heat is not working at 72 degrees, so I crank it to 76...still not warming up. Next thing I know the Red Exclamation Point lights up the dash. I pull over, call the dealership, and decide to bring it back. On the way back I get the Red Exclamation Point, then the Navigation screen says "Problem", and flashes a small red thermostat.

6:00pm: I'm own my way home again with the loaner I just spent a week and a half in.

I'll be dealing with Toyota Corp. in the morning as my case continues to get more interesting. I'm at my wits end. I have no idea what to do. I have not driven my car for any meaningful amount of time in 3 months. I continue to make payments on a car I haven't seen and cannot drive. I no longer have confidence in this vehicle...I don't know what the next step is.