AC Problems — Strange Noises, Hot Air, etc.

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Technical Discussion' started by wesleyNLC, Nov 24, 2018.

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  1. wesleyNLC

    wesleyNLC New Member

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    Hey all. Thanks in advance for your wisdom.

    Within the last 2 weeks, the AC in our car made a horrible noise. I turned the AC off with the car on, turned the AC back on, and it didn’t work at all. The controls would prompt the screen like normal, but nothing would happen. I turned the CAR off, back on, then the AC worked.

    Today, cold air will not blow out of the main or floor vents, but it will blow cool air out of the defrost vents.

    Does anyone have any ideas on what I can check/fix myself and not spend a ton of money getting it fixed?
     
    #1 wesleyNLC, Nov 24, 2018
  2. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    Pretty sure this works for Gen3, but in Gen2 with the car on If you turn on and off headlights three times while holding down the info button (or maybe it's the display button) you'll get a diagnostic screen for dashboard equipment and you should be able to go thru the menu and get some error codes and enter them into a google search. Or alternatively, because it's specifc to AC, find a high rated&honest Auto AC repair business in you area to do a diagnosis & estimate.
     
    #2 PriusCamper, Nov 24, 2018
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  3. Dxta

    Dxta Senior Member

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    Your AC compressor is already toast! Get another one, and replaced with.
     
    #3 Dxta, Nov 24, 2018
  4. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    PriusCamper gave instructions for getting audio/nav diagnostics, but HVAC diagnostics are different. Just hold down the AUTO and RECIRC buttons together while turning the car ON. Any two-digit trouble codes will cycle through the left side of the HVAC display (where normally is shown the set temperature).

    Techstream will also read HVAC codes (they generally start with B14).

    -Chap
     
    #4 ChapmanF, Nov 24, 2018
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