Changing Bad inverter 2011

Hi everyone!
I’ve always loved the Prius! and now I’m the proud owner of a 2011 with a bad inverter. It has 131,000 miles. It also has the P0A94 code, diagnosed by a Toyota dealer. Estimate to repair is $4200.
I would like to repair this myself. But I have a few questions that I just can’t seem to find answers to by searching.
Will a used inverter (about $200) need to be programmed? (I saw where someone with a 2008 didn’t program a used one and it did fine) If so, what is the best process to get that accomplished? VCI cable and then software from techstream? And a subscription to access the programs needed? Is there a how to of the programming process somewhere?
If I do get a used one, is there a way to get a better one (questions I may need to ask) that hopefully doesn’t have the same issue ready to happen in the near future?
Would a refurbished one be better... cost right now is $650. They say it doesn’t need to be programmed.
I’ve watched a good YouTube on the basic mechanics of this repair, but he then skips the programming part. Maybe because it doesn’t need to be done? But he did do it... the video was just getting too long to get it all in.
Thank you, L
I plan to do the inverter cooling pump at the same time

 

I got this car from my sister and they asked the dealer about the extended warranty. They said the warranty is for 8 years and 100,000 miles. Oh, and they didn’t do the recall before the day that they took it in with this problem. That must be required for the extended warranty, I’m thinking.

Thank you for the link to search, I will get on that and see if anything is relevant to changing and programming a used inverter!

 

From the lack of responses I’m assuming that this is not done diy very often. After all 99% are done under warranty. So does anyone have an opinion about used vs. refurbished?

 

Oh, wow!
Thank you both for the input and very helpful ideas. I will work on getting the detail code for the P0A94 DTC.(thank you for clarifying the proper number, very helpful)
I will also do the work to see what can be possible as far as getting Toyota to work with me and hopefully even do the work.
I will also read the above links you so kindly linked. (you’ve made it easier, much appreciated)
The vehicle is not in my possession yet, probably in two weeks. But, that gives me time to do the research and make a phone call or two.
Thanks again,
L

 

I just wanted to add that I’ve gotten the two detail codes that showed up on the dealers report.

550 and,
564.

In the process of reading the instruction pdf that Elektroingenieur linked to.
Just a quick update.
Tune in later for more...

 

Hello friends, I’m back!
After doing as much reading about this issue that I could, including the bulletins put out by nhtsa and Toyota’s different recall notices etc. I called Toyota and talked with a rep. about this issue, she gave me a case number and said my local Toyota dealer would give me a call.
Sure enough the service manager called me the same day and wanted more info. and with a little help from me, (seems like customers often have to help the business figure out how to do their job), he then went and talked with the tech who had already worked on the car, and then called me back.
It’s covered long story short! We will see, but, that is the word at the moment.
My sister is a little peeved that the dealer didn’t know how to do their job! But, I think they were ready for a new car anyway... which is the silver lining for a cloudy situation.

Now for a very big
THANK YOU
for the two individuals who responsed to my post! I might not have followed through without your encouragement.

May your days and lives be blessed!

 

So the end of the story is...
They changed out the IPM in about 2.5 hours, when the original quote was about 7.5 hours to change out the inverter/converter. Hmmm.
Good news is that it was covered by the warranty that was extended to the 15 year mark.
Dealer admitted that they dropped the ball. I say they were just a whisker shy of fraud... but that’s an opinion and would be hard to impossible to prove.
Rogers Toyota in Hermiston Oregon.
Hope that helps.
Grand finale unless there any specific questions!?