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Air conditioning and heating not working

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by Deacon Jones, Aug 2, 2024.

  1. Deacon Jones

    Deacon Jones Junior Member

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    So I’m having trouble with my ac and heating system in my car it just blows whatever air is outside and I wanted to see if it could be a easy fix what I’ve done to it already is I’ve taken the fan out and replaced it so that it blows we have tried to put Freon in the system and that didn’t work I’ve replaced the cabin air filter but that did nothing and what I’m looking at now is the engine bay air filter which is filthy I was wondering if it could be that’s somehow stopping it from working or if it’s something else
     
  2. dolj

    dolj Senior Member

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    No, it wouldn't have any bearing on the A/C but changing it would be a good idea because the engine would appreciate it.

    You really should have an A/C professional diagnose and fix your A/C.
     
    Data Daedalus likes this.
  3. Data Daedalus

    Data Daedalus Senior Member

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    Agree with Dolj, you should get a professional to check the A/C properly using the relevant diagnostics equipment. I am however, puzzled by your lack of heating.

    I just had mine repaired after approximately 4 years of the A/C not working. My heating was fine for the winter months however.
    Had mine charged up with the approved Freon equivalent by my Toyota dealer 2 or 3 times, but the gas always leaked out after 2 weeks. My request for the system to be diagnosed and fixed by Toyota was unsuccessful, with them telling me they couldn’t trace any gas leakage!

    An independent professional A/C specialist (not Toyota this time round!) recently diagnosed a leaking A/C condenser and advised replacing it - which was duly done by the independent A/C professional.
    Interestingly, after the condenser was removed, it was discovered the radiator also had a long term pinhole leak - and the almost 16 year old radiator was in surprisingly bad shape too.

    Both items were duly replaced at the same time and once recharged, the A/C has since worked like a charm - just in time for the hot London (UK) summer heatwave.

    Ergo, I would confirm having a professional A/C specialist look at it is always the best way to go - they can likely repair it much cheaper than Toyota can too. Compatible replacement parts are readily available on the market.

    However, it is important that they’re very knowledgeable about the 2nd Gen Prius HVAC systems, so they can effectively repair it properly.


    iPad ? Pro
     
    dolj likes this.
  4. Deacon Jones

    Deacon Jones Junior Member

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    that sounds like a great idea my only concern is how much it cost to do something like that I’m not exactly sure how much an ac professional would charge me for it
     
  5. pasadena_commut

    pasadena_commut Senior Member

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    There are lots of ways the A/C could go wrong, but the lack of heat is pretty unusual. Here is the diagram for the relevant coolant hoses:

    https://priuschat.com/proxy.php?image=https%3A%2F%2Fattachments.priuschat.com%2Fattachment-files%2F2016%2F10%2F114738_Cooling_Loop-ICE.jpg&hash=48abe372f234c173d4140686c2a4f6aa

    Perhaps the heater water pump is broken or its fuse is blown, or the core has been bypassed altogether? People do the latter sometimes on cars when the heater core develops a leak, because it is a PITA to replace them (usually). Or maybe somebody took this apart and didn't put the hoses back on right, so that the heater core hoses run in a loop that doesn't include the motor.

    Are there no codes?