Hybrid system overheat 2012

So this has been happening since last summer? 1 year ago? I would think if there is an issue with an inverter pump, the issue won't let you drag out for an entire year. Something isn't right.

How about a little history on the car? How long you've owned the car? How many miles do you drive a day? and whatever info you want to share

 

Any detail regarding the accident history if you have it, too...

I spent last Thursday in Putney and try to get over there at every opportunity. It's heaven on earth.

 

how many miles on her?

 

Ouch, that's why i wouldn't buy a front end damaged salvage vehicle, rear end, or side end may be ok.

1. Did you have the recall performed on your 2012 prius? In particular this one, which is to lower the operating temperature of the transistors: Toyota Announces Recall For 2010-2014 Prius To Update Electronics

2. If they had to replace the inverter radiator, which is under the main engine radiator, it's much shorter. They may have used a crappy brand, or possibly put the wrong coolant in it, which clogged it up??? They also need the toyota scantool to run the pump to prime and bleed the air out of the lines. If the rebuilder didn't have all the right tools, this may have not been done right. You probably won't see the pump come on until it gets up to temp.

3. It's entirely possible it's not the coolant at all. Maybe something was damaged inside the inverter unit.

I'd have toyota exhange the coolant first, they'll do it properly with the correct tools. You may even want to replace the inverter radiator as well.

 

That's your problem right there. It's a salvage vehicle rebuilt with non-Toyota parts. Obviously if it's considered salvaged it was wrecked/flooded pretty badly. When buying these salvage cars, one should not be shocked when issues arise.

Now, to fix the issue I would suggest taking it into Toyota, having the recall performed. They will check everything to ensure that non of the equipment was damaged before the recall that is consistent with damage that would occur if the recall was not performed. However, if they find the damage was from the issue which caused the car to be considered a salvage title vehicle then it will not be covered in the recall and you will need to pay for any replacements. Take it to Toyota and have them look at it.

 

Not sure it this related here, but once I bought a cheap newish/low miles car with salvage title and it seemed to work fine for a couple of years. Once I took my family for vacation to colorado and tranny blew just as we arrived there. It turned out there was an aftermarket radiator and tranny overheated. I paid nearly $3000 to fix that (20 years ago!) and I hated the car since. When I traded that in several years later, I got under $1000. The whole thing turned out not to be a good deal in the first place.

 

I believe safety recalls are to be performed regardless if the car is salvaged or not. The only thing that is voided is the warranty on the car, salvaged vehicles no longer have the factory warranty.

 

Warranty was voided the moment the insurance company stamped a salvage sticker on it, and wrote it off. It's now in every database, every dealership has carfax or similar programs, so if it was suspected to be salvaged, it's easy to look up.

 

solarhome,

neez and Blu-ray are on the right track with what needs to be done to get the car sorted, IMO.

If you're DIY inclined, Mini VCI (available on eBay or Amazon) with an old 32-bit OS laptop will give you Toyota Techstream capability same as a dealer tech. The ECU flash recall talked about in this thread will need to be done by a dealer. Will be interesting to see if they honor the recall or put you on the hook due to the salvage title. From there, fitting an OEM inverter radiator (assuming an aftermarket is in place now) and flushing the hybrid coolant loop to Toyota Super Long Life Coolant should be done without question. Fairly likely at this point you'll be good to go, but who knows...

If you're not DIY, not sure if your independent mechanic is right for the job and scared of what a dealer bill may end up looking like, Steve at Accurate Automotive in Erving, Ma. is a real deal Prius guy.

Good luck!

 

When refilling the inverter coolant you can use techstream to activate the inverter pump.

Plug w/ new gasket torque: 39 Nm

Add coolant (don't reuse)

Slowly pour till full line

Connect techstream
Turn power switch on IG
Menu
Powertrain/Hybrid Control/Active Test/Activate the Water Pump
Keep coolant at full level

Bleeding is done when noise from pump lessens and circulation in reserve tank improves.

W/out techstream (I just noticed this set of instructions)

Power switch to READY
Power off
Add coolant to full line
Repeat cycle until same as above "Bleeding is done..."

Instructions note that damage can occur with air in the system and many different DTCs are listed that can be stored, 19 from my count.

SCH-R530M ?

 

Please describe the salvage damage & repair? Does the AC blow cold too?
No turbulence in the Inverter tank is no pump movement. I would replace the Inverter coolant first. New coolant has much more turbulence than old coolant. Use Toyota SLLC.

I'm from Bennington/Arlington area btw.

 

There have been reports of new pumps failing a few months later. I remember 2 I think over the last few years. Not unheard of but I think your issue is the Inverter coolant never had all the air bled out of it. Especially since it was not a dealer installed pump and coolant.
You should see violent agitation in the Inverter coolant tank when in ready. Unmistakable movement.

I think the dealer method of replacing the pump is to duckbill off the in & out hose and swap in the pump that way no air lock and no refill and no bleed just top off. Your mechanic probably dumped the coolant but didn't get all the air out. The pump makes unmistakable noise when air in the system Not a smooth hum but irregular agitation sounds.

Replace the pump and the coolant and bleed it. Its fairly easy. The pump is cheap. Not sure if it has the bleed valve like the G2 where you just hook a hose to the valve and stick the hose back in the Inverter tank. Someone will chime in soon on the procedure.