Climate Control keeps turning off

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by co_prius_3, Feb 21, 2016.

  1. co_prius_3

    co_prius_3 Member

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    Last November I had a left front end collision with another car. The other driver was at fault and their insurance covered everything. The car was in the shop almost 2 months.

    Now it seems back to normal except the climate control randomly shuts off every so often. I usually leave it on Auto. After the car has been off overnight or sometimes just a few hours, I notice the climate control is off. After turning it back on, the temperature setting has been reset to 75. It happens about once a week. Doesn't seem to be related to outside temperatures.

    Should I take it to the dealer for a check or back to the body shop? The body shop offers a lifetime warranty, but I doubt they could diagnose something intermittent like this.

    The 12V battery is showing 14.5 volts on the Scan gauge while driving, but the body shop allowed it to get low while it was being repaired. They couldn't start the car until they recharged the battery. So maybe it's a battery issue.
     
    #1 co_prius_3, Feb 21, 2016
    Last edited: Feb 21, 2016
  2. FroggyTaco

    FroggyTaco Member

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    Maybe check all of your climate control buttons for sticking issues.

    My fan speed control sometimes sticks in the "increase" position which overrides all other climate control functions similar to how a stuck down keyboard switch would "lock-up" a computer.
     
    #2 FroggyTaco, Feb 21, 2016
  3. Rebound

    Rebound Senior Member

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    In the Audio and Electronics section, there is a guide which explains how to remove the plastic which covers the climate control buttons. It's very simple to do and requires no tools. Once the plastic is off, it's easy to clean up any sticky buttons with a wet wipe or something.
     
    #3 Rebound, Feb 21, 2016
  4. FuelMiser

    FuelMiser Senior Member

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    The 14.5 volts while in READY mode is simply the output of the "charging" system. You can only check the true battery voltage when everything is OFF.
     
    #4 FuelMiser, Feb 21, 2016
  5. FroggyTaco

    FroggyTaco Member

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    Thanks. I will look into that.
     
    #5 FroggyTaco, Feb 22, 2016
  6. co_prius_3

    co_prius_3 Member

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    The Scan gauge showed 12V with the power off this morning after sitting overnight in the cold. (I didn't know it would even work with the power off.) So the battery seems to be OK. It's either a loose connection or the sticky buttons. Maybe I'll try tightening the battery connections. Maybe the crash loosened some electrical component.
     
    #6 co_prius_3, Feb 23, 2016
  7. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    12v is low. a new battery is 13. it could be when you turn things on, the voltage drops too low for the computers.
     
    #7 bisco, Feb 23, 2016
  8. co_prius_3

    co_prius_3 Member

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    It could be time to replace the battery, but I've had no problems starting the car. Just losing the climate control settings.
     
    #8 co_prius_3, Feb 23, 2016
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  9. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    was the mfd and hvac control part f the accident repair?
     
    #9 bisco, Feb 23, 2016
  10. co_prius_3

    co_prius_3 Member

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    The only electrical repairs I can find on the invoice were "Repair Engine harness (Repair Wiring)".
     
    #10 co_prius_3, Feb 23, 2016
  11. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i suppose if the hvac wiring goes through that repair, they would be responsible to check it and make sure it isn't a loose connection.
     
    #11 bisco, Feb 23, 2016
  12. co_prius_3

    co_prius_3 Member

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    I'll probably take it back to the shop and have them check out the wiring.
     
    #12 co_prius_3, Feb 23, 2016
  13. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    might as well get a freebie, before going to the $tealer.
     
    #13 bisco, Feb 23, 2016
  14. co_prius_3

    co_prius_3 Member

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    Subsequent reads of the battery before power on have been as low as 11.5V. Maybe it's time to replace it. I'll take it to my local hybrid place. He's a lot cheaper than the dealer.
     
    #14 co_prius_3, Feb 25, 2016
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  15. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    good idea.
     
    #15 bisco, Feb 25, 2016
  16. co_prius_3

    co_prius_3 Member

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    I checked the battery after they replaced it. They forgot to connect the ventilation hose to the battery so I connected it myself. Just a heads up for anyone changing their battery.

    Now the battery shows around 12.7 volts after shutting off the power. While driving, the voltage is often 13.5, while before it was always 14.5. It was probably over charging to make up for the weak battery.
     
    #16 co_prius_3, Feb 27, 2016
  17. co_prius_3

    co_prius_3 Member

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    Looks like the climate control problem was caused by the battery. It hasn't happened since replacing the battery.
     
    #17 co_prius_3, Mar 2, 2016
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