Ac quit need help

Hello all,

I have a 2012 Prius (3 I believe) with 62,000 miles. My car seemed to be revving really high and vibrating quite a bit in the last week. If I pressed the gas to the floor and let off it seemed to take 10-15 seconds for the revs to come back down with the ac on max. I've read that the ac asks the computer for engine help when it's drawing a lot of power which makes sense... But it seemed to be very excessive compared to the previous 60k miles driving. So the other day I got out of my car for a minute and left it on and when I returned the ac had completely quit... It only blows extra hot now with ac button on. Now the engine revs have returned to normal, the car stays in electric mode when turned on because the ac doesn't tell the gas motor to turn on for help and the vibrations seemed to have gone away. My guess is the ac unit itself completely quit and is not talking to the computer for engine help anymore. I have checked the fuse under the steering wheel marked ac which is a red 10 on the left hand side 4th down. If anyone know of anything else I can check (relay, fuse, indicator) that may be connected to this system that would be much appreciated! Also if you think it is shot could you point me in the direction of the the pice that will need to be replace (compressor or what not) so I know what to listen for if I have to take it into a dealer and they don't give me a $3,000 run a round.

Thanks in advance
Rob

 

Yes the fans come on for about 5 seconds then back off on start up but gas engine does not come on, just the fans. This cycle keeps repeating every 10-15 seconds with the fans. And 2 reasons why I said that... A: I was just outside in over 100 degree heat for an hour poking around and poring sweat trying to figure it out. I did not feel it important enough to go back outside and dig through my glovebox to find if it was a 3 in that heat. B: it is a Prius and not anything remotely sporty or rare that I would care to know its exact specs... I traded a 2008 supercharged tundra that ran 12.7 in the quarter without the spare or tailgate in on it... Yes it was new but I still wasn't much interested it the exact model just needed a car with good gas mileage to drive up and down the east coast with. I went out and verified it was a 3 for your knowledge even though I assume it doesn't much matter...

 

No she's clean other than a few dings and scratches. Nothing happened that would warrant the ac just quitting sitting by itself in a parking lot.

 

Also my apologies! I'm a little frustrated at the moment because tomorrow I have to drive 18 hours from the bottom of GA to the top of PA without ac... If it is not a simple fix then most likely this will be one miserable trip in this heat...

 

There is no cool air... Recirculating, auto, manual, Eco mode, power mode, sitting in park, 70 mph down the highway, fan on low, fan at max, temperature on low, temperature set in the 70's, everything is hot air with no attempt at cooling it.

 

Thank you! What steps can I take to check and confirm this? First would probably be power? If you could give me the location to check output/input I could accomplish that and get back to you. (Guessing volt meter the battery in trunk on right hand side for output is first step? 12v correct?) If the power is correct is there a feel or listen trick to the compressor to tell if it's working? Where would the compressor be located? Also (other then the red 10 under the steering wheel) is there any other fuses/relays I could quick check to see if that is the reason power would not be making it to the compressor?

 

Understood and thank you for your help! I appreciate it!!! Can anyone with troubleshooting experience chime in?

 

I just completed the test and have a 76 as well so it looks like I too have the same problem...

 

I appreciate all the help everyone!!! Doesn't look like I'm gonna be able to fix this before tomorrow morning so I'll have to address it when I can get home. Thanks again for the quick responses you guys are great!!!