REPLACE GEN 1 WITH GEN 2 BATTERY?

Hello everyone. Here is a little background before I go into my issue...........

I bought my first ever Prius exactly 2 years ago. On October of 2012, I bought......yes, a 2002 Prius with leather seats, at 119k miles, with a "Main battery error". Knowing this, I got an estimate for around $1000 to replace up to 4 cells from a local Hybrid specialty mechanic. So I bought the car for $4000, and spent $1100 to replace 3 cells, and to also replace the bus bar as well. Total $5100 for the leather Gen 1 Prius. Was very happy to have found a trustworthy mechanic who even sent pics of the entire process, and even gave me the Toyota dealer receipt for the bus bar, and only needing to replace 3 cells. He could have easily told me I needed to replace 10 cells.

Here we are, in October 2014, 2 years later, and I got an error code P3006, "uneven voltage". I took it in to an Autozone who found that error code. They then reset the computer, and the error code went away for a full day, until it came back today. I am trying to weigh my options here. Being that there is a "fixed charge" just to remove the seats, battery, and all just to diagnose it, and considering the majority of the cells are all 12 years old, except for maybe the 3 that were replaced 3 2 years ago........Should I look into a Gen 2 battery?????

I have heard that some folks have just replaced the gen 1 cells with gen 2 cells, and have actually achieved better MPG. I don't have the money to buy another car, so I might have to bite the bullet. My concern is if I go the cheap route, and replace one or two cells again for $500 to $800, that I might just be revisiting this issue again in 6 months, a year, or 18 month, who knows!

I was also told by my hybrid mechanic, that Gen 1 batteries are becoming a rare find, and I might be able to sell the cells that test with good voltage.

I am pleading for help, and guidance to the "experts" here. Can anyone offer up some suggestions?

 

So when you refer to PC SHOP, is that a member here, or is it a website?

 

.....and Bob, thanks for the info, I am gathering some info back to you!

 

........would also be curious to know of anyone that has successfully replaced Gen 1 battery with Gen 2 out there, or for that matter, anyone who did, and ended up like usnavystgc mentioned, playing whack-a-mole.

 

Thanks Bob! It give me something to start with.


I will go over all your 3 points here........


Point one: Is this what you mean? Mini VCI OBD2 Diagnostic Tool Scanner for Toyota Prius C V PHV RAV4 EV Rush T100 | eBay


Point two: Fort Myers, Florida


Point three: I read your post Who should and should NOT buy a 2001-03 Prius | PriusChat Very informative. I will say, I fit 75% of the description of who should buy. Our climate is very flat, and hot from may through October, with a very small taste of Fall-like, and Spring-like weather between November through April. Rarely do temps drop below 45 degrees here, except for maybe a grand total of 15 to 25 days a calendar year. I am pretty "hands on" in the sense that I have repaired my own dryer, from watching a youtube video, installed ceiling fans, and changed a radiator. But I am no expert! I also have a very close friend of mine who is a good mechanic, but has always been afraid of touching these cars. But with some convincing, we can probably tackle on the biggest challenges, if I give him an incentive, if you know what I mean. ($$$$$) I still would like to see any local trustworthy guys. The guy I used 2 years ago is 128 miles away, (and he was very good) but I had to have the car towed to him, then rented a car to pick it up, dropped off rental, and drove Prius back. I also have an ample, two car garage to work in, to go back to your post of who should buy a 2001-2003 Prius. I also would rather spend hundreds, or even a thousand or so, than to drop a $2000 down payment, and get on a 3 to 5 year slavery of payments, when for the last 2 years, this car has given me ZERO PROBLEMS, just routine maintenance. I am also AVERAGING around 42-44 MPG between city and highway, although 80% of our drivetime is city.


Bob, hope this helps, and let me know if Point #1 is the scanner you were referring to.

 

Good point. Reason for my intrigue is ........

A) I have heard you get better MPG on second Gen cells

B) A 12 year old battery might also give u more headaches down the road, as opposed to a Gen 2 2008 or 2009 battery, for example, but I don't know.

C) Resale battery value on those "rare" gen 1 cells.

I also looked at the charger. Wow. I guess it would help with the P3006 code, but man they are pricey! Wondering if that alone would take care of that code issue, without having to dismantle the entire rear of the car.

 

Thanks guys! I have given you "likes" on here.

So Bob, will this item here work?

100 Original Newest Mini VCI for Toyota Tis Techstream V9 30 002 Single Cable | eBay

 

Also saw this one, which is in NY, and not China....... Mini VCI 16pin OBD2 OBDII Car Diagnostic Tool Cable for Camry Corolla Prius RAV4 | eBay

 

Good link Bob. The only thing is all Google results for the 2014 xhorse point to all destinations coming from China, and shipping between 14-22 days. I searched high and low on Google, and can't find a seller in the USA.

 

Update:
Took the car to Advanced Auto Parts to check the "check engine" light, just to get a second perspective besides Autozone, and just to make 100% sure. The verdict was confirmed, and got the P3006 error code. So the guy reset it for me, and code went away again.Drove for a good 15-20 minutes in the city, and the day and tv screen lit up like crazy again. Anyway, I went ahead and ordered the wire with CD, and will wait a few days until I receive it. So thanks to everyone on here for the input. It has been really helpful. Once I receive the items, I will look for guidance here again! I guess I will need some "hand holding" to see what the next steps here on out. Any veteran/moderator on here that knows of local recommended hybrid techs near my area? I attached a picture of my dash.