2010 Prius AC only turns on through defroster

Follow this old post here. Then start your fingers behind the right edge of the bezel that goes around the heat controls and radio, and pop that out. Then grasp the heat control panel and pull it out.

 

Nothing but clips. Just pull on it, once the trim is off from around it.

 

Were you able to figure out the solution for this? I am having the SAME issue with my 2011 Prius

 

If the behavior is exactly the same, then go ahead and try the same approach as above.

 

We’re you able to find a solution? I have the same exact issue as well LOL

Any news? Did you figure it out? This is my only hope

 

Has anyone with these symptoms actually had the refrigerant level checked? A leak is the most common issue. Or a high pressure fail such as a dirty condenser? The defrost operation may be a programmed override. @lech auto air conditionin

 

Mine had this exact same problem. It turned out to be the A/C switch in the HVAC unit. Unfortunately, contact cleaner would not help mine - it was too far gone. I wound up getting a broken HVAC unit, desoldering the two switches (my bad one and a good one from the broken unit) and soldering the good switch onto my board. It now works like a champ!

 

What's the data look like on techstream

 

I never had mine hooked to techstream, but the self test came back 00 - no problems. I also could not believe how easy it was to remove the control unit - NO SCREWS! Just unclip the trim, unplug some wires, unclip the HVAC unit by pulling straight out on it and unplug it - too easy!

 

Hi there! Could you please go into a bit more detail on what exactly you did? From what I understand the ac button itself wasn’t working properly because of the switch? So you pulled the trim and got out the unit with all the climate controls on them correct? I’m just trying to learn a bit more as I have the exact same symptoms. Thank you so much in advance!

 

can you give us more details of what did you do that worked for you? I already spent 800€ changing the compressor as the Toyota Dealer checked with diagnostics, weird, I checked with my Carista and techstream No errors, same symptoms as the OP. Looks like the issue is the same but for a while neither works with the defrost button together, worked with the button near left, now nothing. I pretty sure the dealer scammed me, changed the compressor, refrigerant…nothing. Hope the is button issue, already spent a lot for used spare OEM parts as the new ones get over 1500€.
I would really really appreciate it if you could reply with any info. Thank you very much!