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Freezing in Canada

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Technical Discussion' started by Joey, Feb 19, 2008.

  1. Joey

    Joey New Member

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    Hello,
    I live in Gormley, Ontario, Canada. We bought a 2002 Prius about 6 months ago. My partner and I recently had a devastating experience. Even though we thought we were environmentally conscious before, it was a real eye opener. We lost everything, home, business and everything in them. We, with a renowned U.S. pathologist put together a reality based graphic comic with drawings and real pic’s. It can be viewed for free at www.atoxictale.com , and has a lot of valuable info that everyone should know about.

    We really wanted a Prius, but could only afford a used one. Unfortunetly, the fellow who sold it to us wasn’t very honest with us. We later found out the car was sold to him as salvage from the U.S. to Canada, and had been rebuilt in Canada. We’ve had some problems, and difficulty getting help, as the mechanics in the area aren’t familiar with the car.

    We have no heat, and really need some help. I checked the fluid in the rad. It is full and is brand new. The rad and hoses on both sides get warm, and the fan in front of the rad goes on and off for a few seconds intermittently. Inside, the fan comes on but only blows cold air, regardless of the setting on the temperature switch. When I contacted the fellow who sold me the car, he said Toyota said it needed a cooling pump for the inverter. I’ve contact the Toyota dealer, who said that they didn’t say that and never checked the car for a no heat problem. The local mechanic wants to take apart the dash and look for a wiring problem. I really don’t know what to do and hoped,…
    - Can anyone give me advice on how to figure out what could be wrong with the heat?
    - Could the “cooling pump for the inverter†cause the heat problem and how
    would I know if it’s really not working?

    Thanks so much and all the best, Joey

     
    #1 Joey, Feb 19, 2008
  2. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    You'll get more answers in the Yahoo! Prius owners group as they have more 1st generation owners there. Alternatively, PriusOnline members can help too.

    Otherwise, we'll have to wait for Frank, tochatihu and others to chime in. (they have the 1st gen)
     
    #2 Tideland Prius, Feb 20, 2008
  3. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

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    This is what the engine compartment should look like from the North American, driver's side with the windshield wipers and mechanism removed:
    [​IMG]
    The big silvery metal box is the inverter. In this case, the windshield wipers and assembly have been removed so we have access to the back side, the firewall, of the engine compartment.

    When the inverter is moved aside, this is what you see:
    [​IMG]
    There is a hose that curls just behind the orange power cables up and over the power brake mechanism and then goes down next to the a silvery air conditioning pipe. This is the cabin heater hose. That black, circular thing the hose connects to in the center of the photo is part of the cabin heater pump.

    This last photo shows the cabin heater pump:
    [​IMG]
    The hose to the cabin is attached to the pump mechanism and still curls up and around the power brake assembly. A bubble of air in that loop would prevent hot coolant from flowing into the cabin. The other heater hose angles down to the left under the displaced inverter back to the engine block. The actual heater motor lies low, between the brake mechanism and lower than the air conditioner pipe. Yet it is probably a little higher than the radiator cap.

    There are several things that need to be checked:
    • radiator bleeding - our Prius has a reputation for being difficult to get get all of the air out of the system. I have not done it but those who have often seem on the verge of cursing as they describe their experience. Air in the heater hoses would block coolant flow and thus heat to the cabin.
    • failed motor fuse - I don't have it handy but there should be a fuse that protects the wiring from a short. But sometimes a fuse can blow and folks might not check to see if that is the problem.
    • failed heater motor wiring - if substantial rework was done, there is always the possibility a wire was left disconnected.
    • failed heater motor - can not be ruled out
    It sounds like you may not be technically inclined but even so, I would recommend trying to get a copy of the maintenance manual, especially volume 2, for the NHW11, 2001-2003 models. Volume 1 includes the diagnostic descriptions but often relies on special tools and an understanding of what is going on. I have not see the Haynes manual but in the past they have been good about covering problems like this.

    Feel free to share this with your mechanic, the seller or local Toyota service center. They should be able to explain what their approach is and what is wrong with mine (and I won't complain. <GRINS>)

    GOOD LUCK!
    Bob Wilson
     
    #3 bwilson4web, Feb 20, 2008
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