Saving what I can from a Crashed and Total Vehicle

For the hybrid battery, no rush. An internal relay should disconnect it from all outside loads whenever the ignition is off, or any airbags fire. That leaves just the normal self-discharge, which takes many months.

From the pictures, it seems very likely that the regular 12V battery was likely crushed and ruptured during the collision. It is possible the hybrid battery may have been damaged as well, but you won't know until inspecting it.

 

We've somehow never gotten past "the battery!" as the one thing we think of that's valuable in a Prius, but there are plenty of other moderate-to-high-dollar items in there, from dash electronics to door lock actuators (those wear out, and have you priced them at the dealer? the cheap eBay options are sometimes production-run rejects being sold off to the unsuspecting) to trim, weatherstrips, upholstery, headlight assemblies ... depending on your storage availability and whether you live with someone who will call you a hoarder.

Also, a lot of that other stuff keeps better than a battery, without regular tending.

-Chap

 

Whew, glad you are OK! That car is a mess.

Yes, there are parts to salvage but you probably want to keep it dry to protect the electronics in particular. Be careful of acid from the 12V if the housing was damaged, but the AGM design reduces electrolyte volume.

Glad you walked away without harm. Your old Prius did it's real job - protecting the occupant! Good luck!

 

There is a huge market for OEM rims which someone would snap up in a moment. Undamaged body parts also have a healthy market. You should make out much better than you think.

Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.

 

Hoo boy. Brought back memories. I feel your pain and I'm glad you walked away. Was it a Florida driver that hit you? That's the most popular sport around here. I just heard about someone who got hit twice in nine days!! Most of the people in our office have been rear ended in the past couple years. It's rare that I look in the rear view mirror and actually see the driver's eyes. Almost always looking down at whatever it is that's more important than what's outside. Rant off.

I came VERY close to buying mine back from the insurance company. I just didn't have a good place to put it or the parts I'd be pulling. It would have been fun, and I think I'd have made some pretty good money even though the clown even managed to bend my traction battery. But then, I didn't get sandwiched, just knocked 150 feet or so across the intersection. I'd say, if you have a dry place to work, a place to store the stuff, and like to tinker, go for it.