Just got a P0A80 error

hopefully, the fan is clogged, the battery overheated enough to set off the code, but no damage was done. all the best!

 

Asking the more experienced posters on this thread...in Jeri's situation now, would it make sense to try a grid charger on that battery, or do you think it's a goner?

 

I'm assuming (based on what you said above) that you're out of warranty and can't afford a new battery right now. If so then maybe you can buy some time with the slightly damaged battery if you're careful with the levels of charge. Basically you could try a few trick that I use to "nurse" the battery along a bit.

If the battery is only slightly damaged then it may still function well enough if you can keep the charge levels at around 6 bars and try to avoid too many large variations. Essentially you want to try to keep the levels between 5 and 7 bars on the display as much of the time as possible.

One trick to minimise charge excursions is to always let the car warm for approx 40 to 50 seconds when you first start it up. I know that seems like a waste of time when you've probably got warm weather, but even in warm weather it does help. Why it works is because the prius tries to use the electric power in preference to the engine when you first start up, until the catalytic converters warm up. And even in warm weather this takes around 40 seconds or more. If you let the cats warm before you drive then it doesn't punish the battery nearly as much. (Note that you may have to hold the brake and tap the accelerator to force the engine to start in warm weather. If the engine immediately cuts back out then that just means it's already warm enough).

I know you probably don't have a whole lot of mountains around Orlando, but if you are driving in terrain with large hills then the other tip is to use "B" mode on descents to avoid getting too much charge on the battery. This works ok on moderate hills, but not so much on larger mountain passes.

BTW Jeri. Can you confirm the status of your 8yr 100k mile battery warranty. I know you are under 100k on the miles, but when exactly did the 8 years expire?

 

I would call Toyota HQ and ask them for a goodwill warranty on the battery. Toyota has been pretty generous lately on these warranties, where they cover the entire price of the battery and the owner just pays for the labor to install.

Your car is fairly low in mileage to have this breakdown. I'm thinking Toyota will be helpful if you call them.

 

all the best!

 

If it started in 2007,then your 2006 doesn't qualify. But call toyota anyways and see what they say

 

You can trade it in but you'll get pennies on the dollar. They'll offer you $1500 for your $6000 car

 

If you are interested in losing money big time, go ahead and trade. Fix it first, then consider trading or selling out right. Just don't give it away.

Any machine can be fixed with the right part and the right tools. Sorry to be blunt, but it is what it is.

Ron

 

Yes indeed. Yours would not be the first that a clogged vent fan is a cause of such issues. Get rid of that dog, or not in your car rule.

 

I know they just opened a Greentec Auto in Tampa Florida, I have heard good things about them. The number is 800-773-6614

 

Seen more than one Prius effected by hair in the vent. Not only is the fan clogged up, but the hair gets down to the battery itself which causes more heat problems. When something like this takes place, it is really best to uncover the big battery and clean it up with a low powered vacuum at the same time the fan is cleaned out. Also blow out all of the duct work. That will remove any hair from the system. Some of the folks here on this board have actually added a little filter media where the opening is on the rear seat. That eliminates any chance of foreign particles entering the system and creating the problem in the first place.

IIRC, Toyota is now making a filter for the system. It does not come with a new car, but can be added. Check with the parts dept. at Toyota for more info. I am not sure if the filter is only available for the Gen III or if it is also made for Gen II Prius.

Fur and dirt causing major battery problems | PriusChat

Ron (dorunron)

 

there is a complete pictorial guide, if you search, hopefully will find it.

 

Sheesh, two minutes of searching and this is what I came up with.

Battery Fan Cleaning | PriusChat

Read the above string and DOWNLOAD the PDF FILE DUDE!

 

Every Question that is asked about the Prius has been asked before. OKAY, not 100% of them, but just about. Google is your friend! Try searching instead of posting frivolous questions that have been asked before...

Senior's like myself get tired of answering the same questions every day when Google will reveal the answer to 99% of the questions asked each day here on Prius Chat!

Again, sorry to be blunt. It is what it is.

Ron (dorunron)