Battery replacement, brand new battery pack from dealership questions

Living in SoCal, there's always someone out to get your money. There is no trust here. My experience has not been a positive one with people doing repairs, no matter what trade, they are just out to get a fast buck. There are a few that are good at what they do, but I don't know many. DIY has been the best solution in not getting ripped off and getting things done right.

 

The "average" person would have a hard time determining which of the gen3 packs are actually good. It's not like they are buying these things from Toyota.

 

You are preaching to the choir, but I will say that as the difficulty of a job increases the quality and ethics of the worker tends to improve.

So I DIY the pretty simple stuff, and find that I am usually satisfied when I have to call an expert.

 

That is exactly what I suggest.

 

If buying from Toyota, you can just buy the Gen2 packs. No swapping modules, just move the ECU over and install. That's a DIY many can do.

 

True, and not a bad option overall. But for the same pack price you can buy Gen3 modules and associated hardware. Not only do you benefit from improved modules and packaging, you are probably buying a considerably newer pack.

 

But these new modules will last about 8 years, do you really think that should be a concern? If your car is 8 years old now (the unlucky ones), then by the time the battery fails again, it would be about 16 years old. I would think most would have sold the car by that time....either from age or mechanical problems.

 

The more I think about the different battery replacement options for Gen2, the more I really like only three (each one has somewhat different pluses and minuses:

1. Buy a Gen3 pack from Toyota and DIY or pay for a module swap
2. Buy a Gen2 pack from Toyota and DIY or pay for an electronics swap
3. Buy a lightly used Gen3 pack (from Ebay, e.g) and DIY or pay for a module swap

 

I'm not so sure about your conclusion, because I do not know how long the Gen2 pack has sat on the shelf.

 

I think Toyota produces these packs as needed. They are all at a central warehouse, not sitting at your local dealership. Most likely using "Just in time" inventory control. Since these failures are somewhat common occurrence now (warranty or not), the battery packs will not sit around long.

 

I would expect that a new Gen2 battery from Toyota has the same modules as a new Gen3 battery as they would not maintain production of the older part.

JeffD

 

Any proof ?
The module serial numbers we have heard about do not support your opinion.

 

No I don't have proof, it's just my opinion based on my business knowledge. I don't think there's any report of a new pack that has failed prematurely from Toyota, Gen2 or Gen3.

 

I also feel the same. It would not make sense to stock 2 different modules.

 

Since writing this, I have done this about 30 times successfully and would recommend this option. edit 4/2/16

I have personally tried your method 3. "Buy a lightly used Gen3 pack (from Ebay, e.g) and DIY or pay for a module swap" (not on eBay though)

and it FAILED both times, I have a colleague that has also tried this a couple times w/o success. My hypothesis is that there is different resistance in the gen3 packs and they don't play well with the gen2 electronics. I realize there are companies claiming to do this but I have not had success with it. Could just be bad luck with the two packs that I purchased but they were both low mileage 2012's from the same salvage yard that I have purchased gen2 packs from with great success.

Furthermore...buying a new gen 3 pack and putting those modules into a gen2 would probably void the 1 yr warranty from Toyota. I would not personally recommend this at this point.

 

Thanks for responding -- very interesting.

Did you replace ALL the modules ?

 

Yes, and kept them in the exact order.

 

Damn.

Did the packs die prematurely, or seem to not operate from the get go ?
Did you check any of the modules in the 'failed' pack afterwards ?

 

Were you able to put in good gen2 modules to make it work? Ruling out the case and ecu as the problem?

 

Yourself.