1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

A/C Help!

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Shorty2k, Jul 12, 2011.

  1. Shorty2k

    Shorty2k New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 12, 2011
    1
    0
    0
    Location:
    United States
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    I'm new here and i'm not very car savvy. So please bear with me. I need some help. I have an 06 prius that i've had for almost 2 years now. The A/C and heat became tempermental about a year ago. I had no big issues with it so i didn't think much about it. Sometimes it just plain doesn't work. I'm kind of in a bind right now and have no idea what to do. I'm on vacation with a baby so the A/C is desperately needed right now and go figure the last couple of days its decided to not work again. I've heard of this Generation having A/C issues. I don't even know where to start. Should I just take it in? I figured i would ask everyone on here that has one and knows this car. Anything you can tell me in the simplest terms possible would be great. TIA!
     
    #1 Shorty2k, Jul 12, 2011
  2. avocadoman1

    avocadoman1 Member

    Joined:
    Jun 23, 2008
    217
    36
    0
    Location:
    Fallbrook-CA
    Vehicle:
    2022 Prius
    Model:
    Limited
    when my '06 was 2 yrs old (during 2008) i didnt like the sound coming from the front end when my AC was running.
    so i took it into the "stealership" and replaced the compressor for free (under warranty).
    at the time...it would have been a $1200 repair had i not had the warranty.
    i've had no further issues since. that is, runs good today.
     
    #2 avocadoman1, Jul 12, 2011
  3. vertex

    vertex Active Member

    Joined:
    Mar 27, 2009
    672
    143
    0
    Location:
    new york
    Vehicle:
    2018 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Plus
    Check that the fans work when the AC is on. If they both are turning, you might be low on freon. You can pick up an inexpensive recharge kit with a pressure gauge for about $20. don't puncture the can, just put it on and connect the hose to read the pressure with the AC on. The scale shows you were normal operation is. You may need freon. They should come with instructions. Do not get freon with oil in it. Keep this charge kit only for use on the Prius. Oil from a non hybrid will severly damage the AC.
     
    #3 vertex, Jul 12, 2011
  4. Marcus94401

    Marcus94401 New Member

    Joined:
    May 8, 2011
    4
    0
    0
    Location:
    San Jose, Ca.
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    III
    Might want to replace cabin air filter. Easy and inexpensive. Good clean air for the baby as well.
     
    #4 Marcus94401, Jul 12, 2011
  5. V8Cobrakid

    V8Cobrakid Green Handyman

    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2004
    3,790
    152
    0
    Location:
    Park View, Los Angeles, CA. U.S.A
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    isn't this still a warranty issue? or does a/c fall under that much shorter plan?... i thought everything was basically 3 year 36k miles and hybrid components were longer... like 5 year 100k.. (10year 150k for certain states like california)
     
    #5 V8Cobrakid, Jul 13, 2011
  6. V8Cobrakid

    V8Cobrakid Green Handyman

    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2004
    3,790
    152
    0
    Location:
    Park View, Los Angeles, CA. U.S.A
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    just to make sure we are all on the same page, you do use auto?

    many have this theory that you have to set certain things by hand. all you really need to do is set the temp and leave it on auto. if you are uncertain if you are in fully auto mode, just cycle the auto button till everything turns off then back on. in the genII it's on the wheel, i think same for GenIII. (i did several early on in depth tests at prius connect events... the only thing that really doesn't work the same is the nav override codes... but that's another topic)

    (not to say you don't know how to use it... just making sure we are all on the same page... )

    i still say it should be a warranty issue. you didn't bring it up a year ago to a dealer? (any.. or multiple if you wish)

    if it's not under warranty, vertex gave some good advice about the freon. (post are poping up about this)

    i agree marcus... for that matter, change them all :)
     
    #6 V8Cobrakid, Jul 13, 2011
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)