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Looking for good videos of transmission fluid replacement, engine and inverter coolant

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by onlineorange, Jul 11, 2021.

  1. onlineorange

    onlineorange New Member

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    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
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    • radiator flush and inverter flush, using machine to push fluid (half the cost is labor): $144
    • transmission flush $259
    $35 for each of the inverter/engine coolant being replaced sounds not much more than an oil change, so that sounds reasonable.

    But the tranny fluid replacement sounds high. I read on the gen 3 forums that flush isnt used, but not sure about gen 2, and I assume its just a nice way for dealership to overcharge.

    Anyways, I found a video for each and wasnt sure if they were good or not:


    Inverter coolant:


    Engine coolant:


    Transmission fluid:



    ------------------------
    Other notes:

    Car has like 170k miles. I am trying to fix it up to sell it since I cant stand the complexity of the car's needs and dealership-only work for many issues. Hybrid battery is bad, so all in all, going to cost a lot to get it sellable.

    Also said it needs blower fan replacement. I figure getting this part new for reliability. $350 for the fan.
     
    #1 onlineorange, Jul 11, 2021
  2. SFO

    SFO Senior Member

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    Didn't watch the videos.

    That transmission flush is a scam, just dump the old fluid and refill it.

    Unless you DIY, that radiator and inverter swap, both for 144 total is an ok price. Doubtful if they'll hook it up to a machine to push fluid.

    Which fan was that, and are you sure it needs replacement?
     
    #2 SFO, Jul 12, 2021
  3. onlineorange

    onlineorange New Member

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    Thanks!

    The fan is for the hybrid battery.

    Mind you I got a PA080 error, which I think was overheating code. Fan seem to run fine when I tested it, and didnt look dirty, so not sure why dealership wants to change it; however, it its like computers, fans are often the killers of a good computer as they are the single most likely part to fail IME, so maybe replacing it is just good insurance.
     
    #3 onlineorange, Jul 12, 2021
  4. SFO

    SFO Senior Member

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    Please check and repost the OBD2 code again, as the above DTC is a generic failure code for the HV battery.

    Were you able to retrieve any other OBD2 codes (DTCs) ?

    Here is the brief workup for DTC P0A80 : https://share.qclt.com/%E4%B8%B0%E7%94%B0%E6%99%AE%E7%91%9E%E6%96%AF%E5%8E%9F%E5%8E%82%E8%8B%B1%E6%96%87%E6%89%8B%E5%86%8Cpdf%E6%A0%BC%E5%BC%8F/Repair%20Manual/04pruisr/05/20zmw/cip0a80.pdf

    Did you have a chance to check this connection (below) for corrosion when inspecting the HV battery fan?

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
    #4 SFO, Jul 12, 2021
    edthefox5 likes this.
  5. onlineorange

    onlineorange New Member

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    Pretty sure it was showing a P3000 as well, and previously P3015.

    Then I used Dr Prius app which showed one cell about 15v, which looked lower than the others.

    The fan seems to work fine because at first its quiet, but once car has idled for a bit, it then cranks up (its hot outside and Im running the AC too), which is why i havent checked the plug.

    Again, maybe they are just changing it because of the error and because its probably safer to change it at this point than not change it.
     
    #5 onlineorange, Jul 18, 2021
  6. SFO

    SFO Senior Member

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    A failing HV battery for sure. What is the current plan, will you try a DIY module repair or install a new OEM/aftermarket??
    If you can hear that fan, then it is working just fine, though it may need cleaning.

    Do you live in a dusty area, carry around any pets, or long hairs that could cause the HV battery fan to become dirty?
    Would pass on that HV fan replacement. And if it did need replacement, used fans are cheap and will work just fine, an easy DIY job.

    You can DIY drain and fill the transaxle for around 40usd.

    If the dealer wants to swap both the engine and inverter coolant loops for $144 (TOTAL), that sounds like a deal.
    How long have you had the vehicle?
     
    #6 SFO, Jul 18, 2021
    edthefox5 and Raytheeagle like this.
  7. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk EGR Fanatic

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    Just to pile on: the coolant price sounds good, and I've heard second gen can be a bear to DIY. But..., the transaxle fluid price is a total rip-off, just drain it and fill it, and for a dealership to do that should NOT exceed $100.DIY: the Toyota ATF WS fluid's around $10 tops per quart/liter, four should be enough, and the fill/drain bolt washers should be repaced, maybe $2 apiece.
     
    #7 Mendel Leisk, Jul 18, 2021
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