'06 with P112, changed valve and still get the same code along with P1150

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Grogsky, May 15, 2019.

  1. Grogsky

    Grogsky New Member

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    Had a P1121 that was a long time coming and finally threw the code. I changed the valve and bled the system. On it's first drive the check engine light came on again and on another 2.5 mile drive it gave me the red triangle for a brief moment but once I slowed down from the 30mph I was going to 20 it went away. I got the codes read and they were P1121 and two instances of P1150 coolant clog/obstruction/bubble.

    I bled the system the way everyone who doesn't have a vacuum pump has to do it using the bleeder next to the inverter.

    When I drained the system the first time (and some loss from removing the coolant valve) I got about a gallon of coolant out of t he system but was only able to add back a little over half a gallon. The system bleeds, the pump doesn't make any noise like it's unhappy, and the reservoir has visible flow moving around in it but I still haven't added back as much as I took out I don't think.

    I put in a Dorman valve, could it have been defective out of the box? I wasn't ordering the parts for this car as it's not mine.

    What gives?!

    Just a thought: Does gas engine coolant flow through the valve too and I've got to fill and bleed that circuit too? I've heard someone say that you also have to bleed from the bleeder on the side of the radiator, the one for the engine cooling system.
     
    #1 Grogsky, May 15, 2019
  2. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    You are getting the Red triangle because there's not enough coolant in your car. You can try adding more coolant every morning for the next 5 days. Do it before you drive, so the car is not hot.

    If this were my car, I would probably change out the radiator cap too.

    As far as the bleeding goes, there are 2 bleeding valves. One for the inverter coolant, one for the engine coolant. I hope when you say "next to the inverter", you were bleeding the engine coolant loop.
     
    #2 JC91006, May 15, 2019
    Raytheeagle likes this.
  3. exstudent

    exstudent Senior Member

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    Kindly research repair procedures first! Look before you leap. You will save yourself time/frustration.

    The engine loop has a bleeder valve (6mm hex) on top of the radiator, left (driver) side.
    The inverter loop has the bleeder valve NEXT to the inverter.

    The 3-way coolant control valve you replaced, effects the engine cooling loop. You have been bleeding the inverter loop this entire time! You have been needlessly monitoring the inverter reservoir.

    Also, to properly bleed the engine loop:
    Engine should have been put into Inspection Mode (Read Post #5).
    CHRS (Coolant Heat Recovery Storage) pump should have been activated in short incremental bursts of time, as needed, to help purge air.
    Heater on HIGH.
    Squeeze the radiator hoses to try and force any air to the radiator.
    Monitor and top off the radiator, for a few days, after the engine/coolant has cooled overnight, as it takes time for the air to work itself out.
    Car at an incline or have front of car on jacks.​

    READ in ENTIRETY to LEARN how to bleed engine coolant loop: How to replace engine coolant pump and thermostat | PriusChat

    PAY ATTENTION to posts #22 and #42 as well as the surrounding discussion in the following thread discusses how to change engine coolant. Changing engine coolant | Page 2 | PriusChat

    What you take out, should have been replenished. Drain 1 gallon, you should have added 1 gallon (+/- a few ounces). Anything significantly LESS, means AIR remains in the system, displacing the coolant that needs to go in.

    If you are unsuccessful or get frustrated, you have access to two reputable and competent independent Prius repair shops: Art's Automotive (Berkeley) and Luscious Garage (SF). They will be able to fix this issue.
     
    #3 exstudent, May 15, 2019
    Last edited: May 16, 2019
  4. Grogsky

    Grogsky New Member

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    [​IMG] No, I was bleeding from the nipple that's held by a bracket that's on the inverter.

    So the coolant control valve is controls the inverter circuit AND the engine circuit? I could never get a straight answer on that.
     
    #4 Grogsky, May 15, 2019
  5. exstudent

    exstudent Senior Member

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    You really need to reference the factory service manual or the Haynes service manual.

    The 3-way coolant control valve is part of the engine loop ONLY. When this valve fails, and the position it fails in, it will simply cause longer engine warm-up times and/or lack of cabin heat. A non-functioning 3-way coolant control valve will NOT cause the engine to overheat.

    Inverter loop consists of: inverter pump, inverter, transaxle (aka transmission), and radiator (BOTTOM HALF ONLY). The radiator is split into TWO separate cooling loops: upper=engine, lower=inverter.
     
    #5 exstudent, Jun 2, 2019
    Last edited: Jun 2, 2019
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