Inverter Coolant Pump takes a dive

According to http://www.tundrasolutions.com/forums/local_links/links/87, look under EG001-07, seems like there's a TSB addressing this issue.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ScottY @ Aug 17 2007, 04:54 PM) [snapback]498045[/snapback]</div>

You need to register for that board to see the TSB.

Could you post it here, pretty please?

 

If that's really the facts of the matter, I think it might be the
first report of a failed inverter pump. Please get all the info you
can, including why it might have failed ... and if there's any issue
with the inverter itself, or if it thermally protected itself the
way it should!
.
_H*

 

DH has replaced a few of them now. there is that TSB out on it.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(kohnen @ Aug 18 2007, 11:15 AM) [snapback]498326[/snapback]</div>

Sorry, I didn't register either. Google lead me there.

 

There have been at least 3 inverter coolant pump failures in NHW11 Prius. Don't think anyone has proposed them for the 'precautionary replacement' list yet, cf. the engine's mechanical coolant pump.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(dbarry @ Aug 19 2007, 03:15 PM) [snapback]498728[/snapback]</div>

Hard to belive Toyota stopped making Prius's for three months. It would be fun to collect the most unbelivable dealer claims.

 

Just found out today that I got the same problem with my 05 Prius. Dealership says it would cost almost $400 to replace it. I just paid the $95 diagnostic fee today. It is only covered by warranty if the car is below 60k miles. I see where the pump is located and it looks like it is not that difficult to replace. I'm just wondering where I can purchase a replacement pump, other than the dealership. I can't even find anything on eBay. Anyone have any ideas where I can get a replacement coolant pump? Any assistance provided would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

In addition to my comments on your other thread, any chance this is covered by the TSB?

 

How do you know when your pump fails, what are the symptoms? FishHawk

 

My pump makes the noise every now and then but I still get heat. So, how does one know when it fails? Is the noise rather loud and you get no heat? FishHawk

 

my inverter coolant pump on my 01 prius went out last week, i got bought a used pump for 58 dollars and now im up and running.
oh yeah if you want to know if its not working, you wont hear any noise at all when Ig-ON, if you put your hand on the inverter coolant pump ( when its cold of course ) you should feel a slight vibration, that would kinda indicate its working.

 

Evan, I think you are mistaken for the engine coolant pump, the one that pumps the hot engine coolant into the thermos. Inverter coolant pump is the one that pumps coolant into/out from the inverters.

You can tell it's working when you open the inverter coolant reservoir (pink one) in READY mode, you can see the coolant is flowing. Only do this when the car is cold!

 

For my car, it started out as all of the warning lights coming on like a christmas tree. It then only failed to the triangle with the exclamation mark and something else (I forgot). I borrowed an OBD2 reader and it came up with the code P0A93 (Inverter coolant). I cleared it and it went away for a few days. It came back, so I took it over to the Toyota dealer and they said it was the inverter coolant pump. It looks very simple to replace. It was just an electric water pump connected to 2 sets of hose with a couple of hose clamps. A new pump alone cost about $165 from the dealership. I just have them do it since I am not sure on how to bleed the lines. Overall, it cost me about $300 bucks for a simple water pump replacement. There were no noise coming from the pump, which indicated that it was completely dead. So, FYI, for those who have the P0A93 code. It could just be the inverter coolant pump and it is located directly behind the driver side headlight (At least on the 2005 Prius). Good luck. If anyone knows how to bleed that system, please provide some info. So if mine happens to die again in the next 60,000 miles, I can go ahead and do it myself. I'm sure, by then, there will be a cheaper aftermarket part that I can replace it with and hopefully it would last longer.

 

According to Galaxee, it's a pain to bleed either coolant system and the results are catastrophic if you get it wrong. I think you need special equipment, which is not expensive for a dealer but too much for Joe Schmoe. If it only cost you $300 for the whole job, it's not worth the risk for this particular problem, IMHO

 

If anyone is keeping track, my inverter pump also failed. Code P0A93. Had it replaced today. No noise, no warning, just went out to start the car in the morning and had the CEL and the red triangle show up with the helpful notice "problem" on the MFD.

Thanks,
Shawn