help!! "Drive Motor B" code, stuck 12 hours away from home

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by VisualMonster, Jun 25, 2011.

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  1. andyprius

    andyprius Senior Member

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    If there is nothing else, then water should be OK ( temp fix) The pink coolant is actually 50% water! Have a good trip. Before you leave town at night, across the desert, make sure operation seems normal. Some weird things have happened in the high desert. Be careful!
     
    #21 andyprius, Jun 25, 2011
  2. VisualMonster

    VisualMonster New Member

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    So I just topped it off, it required only a tiny bit of coolant and still no movement in the reservoir while the car is in ready mode.

    We have a long climb ahead and it's no longer very hot outside, would it still be stupid to attempt this with inverter coolant pump not running (we would keep the AC off during the entire drive and keep speeds at or below 60mph? 12 hrs of driving left...
     
    #22 VisualMonster, Jun 25, 2011
  3. andyprius

    andyprius Senior Member

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    WOW, that is a very difficult decision to make, I believe driving without that pump in operation could end up in a totally ruined inverter PLUS cool air must flow across the High voltage battery, in order to do this you must run the AC, I guess it all depends on outside air temperature. I know that the desert can retain its heat thru out much of the night. IF you chance it stop at every gas station and buy ice AND Feel the top of the inverter, it should be just a bit warmer than your hand. Try 50 MPH and play it by ear, if cool open windows for HV Battery.
     
    #23 andyprius, Jun 26, 2011
  4. SageBrush

    SageBrush Senior Member

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    I would not try to climb mountains with the inverter pump dead, even in cool night air. You risk trashing the inverter -- a *very* expensive repair. And you would be stranded.
     
    #24 SageBrush, Jun 26, 2011
  5. andyprius

    andyprius Senior Member

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    I tend to agree with Sagebrush, he should know about the desert! ( I think the OP has moved on ), wish him luck.
     
    #25 andyprius, Jun 26, 2011
  6. andyprius

    andyprius Senior Member

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    Unfortunately, I thought of this later, but the OP was then on the road, he could have a small leak in the system and the pump became air locked, a simple procedure to bleed the system and see if pump operation improves.:eek: SEE: How to replace Inverter coolant pump by Pat Wong. Since it is still only Sunday you may still need help........................
     
    #26 andyprius, Jun 26, 2011
  7. VisualMonster

    VisualMonster New Member

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    We decided to play it safe and stay in a local hotel for two nights until the Toyota dealer opens Monday morning. I found a nice article here which suggests Toyota will be replacing the pump for free:
    Luscious Garage | Blog | Toyota Prius Inverter Water Pump Recall

    The same article mentions "The noisiness of the pump with an air bubble makes it easy to tell when there’s a problem and, conversely, when the system is clear (i.e. no noise, no air). " and since mine isn't making any sounds I'm thinking it's probably not air trapped inside?

    The article also mentions the possibility of a fuse being blown: "A couple times I’ve seen the pump short internally, which can cause some smoke and/or a blown AM2 fuse. The AM2 circuit feeds the Power Source Control ECU; without it the car will not start and exhibit a flashing instrument display." but I'm able to drive around on short trips so I'm thinking that's also not the issue.

    I'll post an update once Toyota checks it out, I REAAAALLLY hope they have a replacement pump in stock otherwise we'll be stuck about 1000 miles from home even longer.
     
    #27 VisualMonster, Jun 26, 2011
  8. mikewithaprius

    mikewithaprius New Member

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    Good choice, VisualMonster. Sounds like if you drove anymore on your given mountainous trip you'd fry the poor (expensive) inverter. Keep us updated.
     
    #28 mikewithaprius, Jun 26, 2011
  9. andyprius

    andyprius Senior Member

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    Yes I agree, what is actually referred to is the word turbulence, probably not caused by air bubble, I am not even sure that the system self bleeds. I just attached a clear hose to the bleed nipple and I was amazed at the amount of air bubbles exiting. I read another site last night in which the author says there have been many cases of people driving with failed pumps with no problem. However their circumstances could have been different. There was heavy replacement of these pumps in 2010, but the problem started up in 2007. I believe the jist of the problem was only one bearing. :cheer2:
     
    #29 andyprius, Jun 26, 2011
  10. andyprius

    andyprius Senior Member

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    My local dealer is open on Sunday, where are you anyway?:cheer2:
     
    #30 andyprius, Jun 26, 2011
  11. VisualMonster

    VisualMonster New Member

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    We were stranded in New Mexico close to Gallup (didn't see any fires).

    UPDATE (for those wondering what happened): Toyota was able to fix the problem Monday morning, we got lucky since they had only 1 coolant pump left in inventory! They replaced it pretty quickly and didn't charge anything since the part was under the service campaign. I asked if they had ever replaced an inverter, he said they did that once but it was due to customer neglect (ignoring the warning lights). I'm sure that would've been us if we kept going. He also said they replaced a few inverter coolant pumps last week. It must be a popular spot for them since it's pretty hot with a long steady elevation climb.

    thanks again to everyone that helped identify the issue!
     
    #31 VisualMonster, Jun 29, 2011
    2 people like this.
  12. Hal W

    Hal W New Member

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    Thanks for sharing your story. Good thread and interesting! Hal
     
    #32 Hal W, Jun 29, 2011
  13. andyprius

    andyprius Senior Member

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    Thanks for the update, this has alerted many members to the importance of the inverter pump. Glad everything worked out.:D
     
    #33 andyprius, Jun 29, 2011
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