2007 Prius Hybrid battery failing- should I repair it for $3100?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by sb86, Aug 14, 2018.

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  1. sb86

    sb86 New Member

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    I got my rear brakes fixed at a local shop, and the next day my red triangle, check engine and red outline of a car with an exclamation point turned on. I made an appointment at the dealership 3 days later, but, in the meantime the lights went off. When I took my Prius to the dealership ($180 to run codes and diagnose), he said it is a failing Hybrid battery.
    I have read on these forums that a failing 12v starter battery could be the cause of the random alert lights turning on and off. The mechanic who did my brakes also said the low voltage from the 12v could be the reason the e-Brake light always stays on (when we bought the car the e-brake light and few others never turned off- when we got it diagnosed at the dealership they said its ok to ignore the lights or pay $2k to replace the computer- we did not do that).
    I am hesitant to pay $3k to fix it because I have a hard time believing this will be the last problem for a while. But, if we don't, then we just have a hybrid that will soon fail and we cant sell it or use it.

    Also the hybrid battery had been replaced (used I believe) in Oct. 2017. I mentioned that to the Toyota mechanic, and asked about reconditioning and he said " I have never heard of either of those things. We don't do that here. We only replace with new batteries."

    Also, not totally important but about the car: we bought it from my sister who disclosed all the history to us: the mileage had been rolled back 70K miles and all mechanics we have brought this to have denied that being possible. If you follow the Carfax reports though, you can see the mileage climb steadily to 140, 150, 170, in October 190k and then it goes all the way down to 121k in December. As of now its back up to 145k. and I assume the actually means 215k on the same engine.
     
    #1 sb86, Aug 14, 2018
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  2. Sam Smith

    Sam Smith Junior Member

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    Toyota won't put a reconditioned battery in, just a new Toyota battery. I replaced the failed hybrid battery on my '07 with a Dorman rebuilt battery. Watched some YouTube videos and did it myself for $1500. Auto parts store wouldn't sell me the battery, had to go through a friend with a repair shop. First replacement lasted a year, then failed. Dorman warrantied it and I replaced it again. 2nd battery lasted 6 months, replaced it under warranty again. 3rd battery only lasted 2 months. After letting the car sit for 6 months, I found GreenBean battery. They came to my house, replaced it with a refurbished battery for about $1500. 5 year warranty. Tech was very nice and knowledgable. Before deciding on them, I talked to them extensively and they convinced me that their testing of cells was far superior to most. Decided that they must be pretty confident to offer a 5 year warranty. 2 months in now and the car is running like new. Great gas mileage. I'm still a little shy about long trips. You really need to decide what the car is worth to you. I looked a replacing it, but love the '07 and, since we bought it new, I am sure of all service done since it was a baby. Even though I have invested $3000 now on Hybrid batteries, I couldn't replace it for anywhere near that.
     
    #2 Sam Smith, Aug 27, 2018
  3. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    simple enough to eliminate the 12 volt as a possible culprit before deciding on a new hybrid battery.
     
    #3 bisco, Aug 28, 2018
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  4. ITBland

    ITBland Active Member

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    I bet if you ask your sister, she had the Combination Meter (the speedometer) replaced with one from eBay or a junkyard. that would explain the odometer rollback. (Combo meter failure is a common problem in Gen 2 Prius.) That may also explain why some of the lights won't turn off--the combo meter does not match the car.
     
    #4 ITBland, Aug 28, 2018
  5. ITBland

    ITBland Active Member

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    My 2 cents, a high-mileage, highly computerized car that is experiencing computer related problems and has a known big-ticket repair pending? If I am the DIY type, I would keep it as a project. If I am going to rely on the dealer or a mechanic, I would think money-pit and look for a more reliable car. YMMV
    ADD:
    One BIG question: Is it burning oil?
    Other questions: Is the suspension worn out? (clunking on bumps?) Is it a nice car, or old and beat up?
     
    #5 ITBland, Aug 28, 2018
    Last edited: Aug 28, 2018
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  6. Wilsid

    Wilsid Junior Member

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    i have found that only 1 module goes out. right now a guy on ebay has modules out of a
    2013 for $39 i just bought 1. i ' m going to replace 1 mod that read 6.29 v. i have found
    out if you don't work on this yourself you can't aford this car
     
    #6 Wilsid, Aug 28, 2018
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  7. sb86

    sb86 New Member

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    Well the car officially died three mornings ago. I charged it with my Camry and it ran normally. But I’m getting the 12v replaced Friday for $330 down the street where they order it from Toyota. I want the warranty from the mechanic. I don’t know enough about it to do it myself.
     
    #7 sb86, Aug 28, 2018
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  8. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace 2025 Camry XLE FWD

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    If you are DIY it does not need to cost $3100 to replace your battery. @2k1Toaster sells a kit of new cells for $1600 shipped.That basically gives you a new battery pack and you can sell of any of your old modules that still have useful life.
    See my signature for the link.
     
    #8 Prodigyplace, Aug 28, 2018
  9. Wilsid

    Wilsid Junior Member

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    I think i paid $190 for a yellow top (much better battery) at auto zone i don't
    know what an 07 is worth but i had this 04 aprised every thing working
    $1750
     
    #9 Wilsid, Aug 28, 2018
  10. #1 Toyota salesman

    #1 Toyota salesman Member

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    Oh Pete, where are you located, that these costs are so outrageous? Are these US dollars? A new 12V battery from Toyota should only be $200, or less. If they charge you to install it they're complete jerks, but a half-hour labor would be fair. So $250
    The replacement hybrid battery should be well under $2500, OTD, from your dealer also. You're either in the middle of nowhere, or they hate you.
    Since you know the previous owner, find out about that replaced battery. My guess is, it's some refurb nonsense garbage battery.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    #10 #1 Toyota salesman, Aug 28, 2018
  11. #1 Toyota salesman

    #1 Toyota salesman Member

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    BTW, I forgot to even address the BEYOND OUTRAGEOUS $180 charge to diagnose your car at the dealer.
    RUN AWAY FROM THAT DEALER!!
    Even if it means going 600 miles to another dealer.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    #11 #1 Toyota salesman, Aug 28, 2018
  12. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    give a lot of thought to the condition of the rest of your car before sinking 3k into it. especially with an unknown quantity like the mileage.
    if you do proceed, call every dealer around for pricing.
     
    #12 bisco, Aug 28, 2018
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  13. sb86

    sb86 New Member

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    Wow! That’s a lot of failing batteries. I did call another place that is not a dealer, but, they only sell OEM hybrid batteries because the mechanic/owner found himself working on warrantied conditioned batteries he installed and was losing $$. His price quote is $2900 out the door. Since I will be getting the 12v replaced I’m going to see if that effects the hybrid.
     
    #13 sb86, Aug 28, 2018
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  14. sb86

    sb86 New Member

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    I would rather have this car fixed then look into getting another car. Mainly bcz I know more about this car than the next used car I would buy. And of course money. I think it’ll be cheaper to fix the Prius than to look for a new one.

    Wow ! Really ? Where are you? The dealer is in Bellevue, WA. I’m in Kirkland Washington. I didn’t call the other dealership that’s close to me. Does each dealership set their own price ? I assumed it was as expensive. I don’t know much about cars or dealerships.
     
    #14 sb86, Aug 28, 2018
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  15. #1 Toyota salesman

    #1 Toyota salesman Member

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    BTW, ONLY A TOYOTA DEALER HAS NEW OEM HYBRID BATTERIES
    It sounds like you have a face for ripping off
    Nobody you've met in person on this car is contrary and not trying to rip you off

    You should be able to find a Toyota dealer to install a new OEM HV battery for $2200, with the 2 year warranty FROM TOYOTA

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    #15 #1 Toyota salesman, Sep 1, 2018
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  16. ericbecky

    ericbecky Hybrid Battery Hero

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    Independent shops like mine can sell and install genuine Toyota parts including the hybrid battery. Often depends though, on whether the dealer's parts will sell the HV battery to the shop.


    I doubt you will find a dealer willing to install the HV battery for under $2500. That would be unusual. Currently, I see prices hovering closer to $3000.
     
    #16 ericbecky, Sep 1, 2018
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  17. sb86

    sb86 New Member

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    I replaced the 12v. All lights are off. I’m sort of waiting for the check engine light to come back on... do you know if a failing hybrid battery/system will mess up a new starter 12v battery?

    @#1 Toyota salesman
    In other words:
    Everyone I met in person in regards to this car is contrary and trying to help? I’m not sure I understood your response up there.
    I see conflicting info in this thread... and it’s possible I have a “face for ripping off” since I don’t know much about fixing cars let alone hybrid systems.

    I am so far from DIY. I don’t trust myself to do
    much more than jump start the battery and change a tire... I learned a few things about the electronic system but that’s not that helpful at the moment.

    She bought it from someone else. She found out about it during her first maintenance check. Thats really interesting though and it makes sense! I wasnt too worried about it since the car drives fine normally. With the new 12v in, all lights are off. Including the ebrake light. There was a small hose missing when the last 12v was installed and it was replaced yesterday.
     
    #17 sb86, Sep 1, 2018
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  18. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace 2025 Camry XLE FWD

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    The 12 volt battery does not start the engine. It boots up the computers and closes the high voltage relay so the hybrid battery can start the engine & recharge the 12 volt battery.
    A failing Hybrid battery would not mess up the 12 volt battery unless you exhausted the 12 volt battery by running accessories when the Hybrid battery could not recharge it. The 12 volt battery does not tolerate deep discharge well.
     
    #18 Prodigyplace, Sep 1, 2018
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  19. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i hope your problems are over.(y)
     
    #19 bisco, Sep 1, 2018
  20. frodoz737

    frodoz737 Top Wrench

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    Depends on location and one's relationship with their service department.
     
    #20 frodoz737, Sep 1, 2018
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