2010 Prius 197K miles On Oct. 29th 2014 I had my recalled software replaced by Gosch Toyota in Hemet, Ca. On Nov. 11th my "Check Hybrid System" came on, so I was first in line at Gosch the next morning. Interim checking with the Service Dept. informs me that codes had come up on my vehicle necessitating a call to TOYOTA CORPORATE. About 12pm I received the news that my inverter fan filter had clogged, which I understand is a common issue, and Toyota is recommending a new inverter fan filter and HYBRID Battery replacement @ $3800 plus? Upon research I realize that the recalled software could be related to the battery overheating as it helps control the inverter in some fashion. CAN ANYONE OUT THERE HELP SHED MORE LIGHT ON WHAT'S GOING ON HERE & MY OPTIONS? I am currently in touch with; Toyota Corporate - who have been very professional and have opened a file to research my issue for any possible assistance they might provide. Wayne Faren - Service Mgr. for Gosh Toyota, Hemet, Ca. For whom I left messages last Friday SO FAR EVERYONE HAS BEEN MOST CORDIAL AND PROFESSIONAL. If you have had any related experiences and can help here, thanks in advance.
Do you have dogs that regularly go into your car? The inverter recall should not have anything to do with the hybrid battery failure
Dogs in car? Rarely. Is it possible the overheating aspect of the software failure would affect the long term battery life?
sounds like a software issue. don't let them blame it on the fan. did you see the fan? do you accelerate quickly? the diodes could not handle the heat. i wouldn't be surprised if they were toast before they were replaced.
btw, there is no such thing as an inverter fan filter. the hybrid battery cooling fan clogging is not a common issue. in fact, most people who bother to check find it clean as a whistle. it isn't likely your battery went out without warning, did you notice anything prior to the 'check hybrid system' ?
If the battery pack has indeed failed, a used or rebuilt pack would seem to make more sense than a new one on a 200k Prius.
Man.... 5 years and almost 200,000 miles. They just don't build ANYTHING worth a crap any more, do they? Yes. Get a second opinion and verify it's a battery problem. The whole "clogged inverter fan" thing bothers me enough to question the diagnosis. If it's not the battery? Re-post. If it is: The way I see it, you have two or three options. 1. You can pay about $1500 for a re manufactured battery and install it yourself or pay a few hundred to get it installed. Since you live on the left coast, you're probably close to an independent wrench that has done this. It's not hard. You'll be out about about $2k (less if you have some basic hand tool skills!) but you'll have a car that's probably good to go for another 50-100K miles for what would probably be about 5-6 car payments. 2. You can keep fussing at corporate to fix a car that's well outside even the CAFE bolstered warranty. They'll laugh and roll their eyes when you're not there and string you along for a little while, and then MAYBE offer you a compromise replacing your battery for something like $2500. You'll have a car that's probably good to go for another 50-100K at the cost of 5-6 car payments. If you're really lucky, then they'll use a new or re-manufactured battery, which might be worth the extra $500 to you but I wouldn't do it on a 200,000 mile car unless I were the one doing the maintenance on the car. If you're not so lucky they'll find a $200 battery in a salvage yard and bolt that into your car. Remember.....they don't have to use new parts in a car with 200,000 miles on the clock! How often do you check your oil? If the answer begins with "I do not know" then your car isn't going to last long enough to take advantage over any perceived benefit in a new OEM versus a re-manned or even a low mileage used battery. In the end....it's going to be 6-5 and pick 'em. Me? I'd preserve me dignity and just get the re-manned battery....or look for a used one from a salvage yard (option #3...) To answer the question: Did Software Toast My Battery? No. Good Luck.
Thank U for you for your lucid and detailed reply, It does help me clarify my options. The oil "Mobil 1" 0-20 is not changed as regularly as some folks. Maybe every 20-30K but it is always fairly clean. Driving about 800 miles weekly at 76-81 mph I do go through about one quart every 2 months. Good News, Toyota is covering 50% of the cost of the parts, Lets see how much of the $3800 that takes care of?
The warning code is supposed to alert you of a problem before it becomes an expensive repair. It's not clear whether their recommendation to replace the hybrid battery is based on confirmatory testing, or on a "better safe than sorry" mindless risk-management policy. At any rate a second opinion is in order, and if they are trying to get you to replace a perfectly good battery, I'd be making an issue out of it. Enough to create an educational opportunity for the dealer, and if that fails, educating the dealer's customers through online reviews.
I respect your "Risk Management" theory. I think I will take their offer of 50% off the parts, for new parts I hope, and try and get another 150K out of the car. Aside from this deal the car has been awesome. Any predictions out there as to what I should be aware of that might be the next issue, & what I might do to prevent IT?
YES! If your car has a drinking problem, monitor your oil volume level assiduously! Like.....every tank. I'd be lying if I said that I do this for MY Prius, but "my" Prius is a work car and it's not using oil at 74,000 miles. I check my volume every other tank, which is pretty much every 1000 miles. We don't need to go into all the whys and what-ifs about your oil. There are 142,345 (est.) sites out there that give all kinds of conflicting data about that and 99.999999999999999999999 percent (estimated) are written by "experts" that have never put 150,000 plus miles on a car and are either selling products, or just making compost. Your posts suggests that you're knocking down about 40,000 miles a year, which means that your current oil burn rate is about 6,000 miles per quart. That's not enough to warrant action other than monitor and top off. If your burn rate spikes or if the city wants to use your car for mosquito control then you may have to take more drastic action but I think that I'd let the car pay me back for the battery first...and possibly give it a heart transplant (used motor) at 300,000 miles. Good Luck!
