Looking for a hybrid/toyota specialist mechanic

Discussion in 'Gen 4 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by JB47, Apr 2, 2025.

  1. JB47

    JB47 New Member

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    Sacramento, CA
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    2017 Prius
    Model:
    Four Touring
    Does anyone have good recommendations for a hybrid or Toyota specialist in the Sacramento area?

    Brought my car to a nearby dealership for a check engine light, and the representative diagnosed the problem as the water pump having an internal electrical failure and quoted $1035 to replace it. I drove my car an additional 50 miles to see if my coolant reservoir levels dropped in case of a heat exchanger issue, but the level's the same. So I wanted to shop around with other reputable shops that are familiar with hybrids/Priuses before committing to getting a replacement from the dealership.
     
    #1 JB47, Apr 2, 2025
  2. BiomedO1

    BiomedO1 Senior Member

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    Sorry, you need to be monitoring the ECT (engine coolant temperature) or quit driving the car before you damage the engine. The warning lamp turns on around 240+F. Normal operating temperature is around 180-190 F.
    Check your wiring harness for damage.
     
    #2 BiomedO1, Apr 2, 2025
    Danno5060 likes this.
  3. JB47

    JB47 New Member

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    Four Touring
    My old hybrid mechanic (Hybrid Pit) in Anaheim recommended troubleshooting for heat exchanger issues before getting my water pump replaced. The car hasn't experienced over heating at any point nor has any warning lights turned on, but I did stop driving the car after driving the initial 50 miles.

    Do you have any recs for a hybrid mechanic or toyota specialist up here in Sac?
     
    #3 JB47, Apr 2, 2025
  4. Brian1954

    Brian1954 Senior Member

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    What trouble codes did the dealership find?
     
    #4 Brian1954, Apr 3, 2025
  5. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    there are a couple in san fran i think, but any mech should be able to replace the pump
     
    #5 bisco, Apr 3, 2025
  6. JB47

    JB47 New Member

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    Four Touring
    P261A13 was the only code
     
    #6 JB47, Apr 3, 2025
  7. BiomedO1

    BiomedO1 Senior Member

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    Sorry, I DIY my cars - unless it's something major. Did they clear the code and did it come back, relight the CEL?
    Get a Bluetooth OBD2 reader, download one of the free diagnostic apps in Android or Apple store and monitor the ECT. An intermittent short, caused by oil or water could bridge the connector or a mouse chewing on your harness could've cause this. If the issue is chronic the CEL will come back on, then you know there's a real problem.

    Hope this helps....
     
    #7 BiomedO1, Apr 3, 2025
  8. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    #8 bisco, Apr 3, 2025
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