I recently tried reconditioning the battery pack and I went for a test drive. I went for a few miles and I didn’t have problems. Yesterday I went to do the smog/emissions test, while I was waiting I saw the HV battery was low then the Red triangle light came on. Sure enough it was the P08A0 code again. Since I was already at the emissions testing I didn’t want to turn the car off in case I had problems starting it so I left it on. I had the test done while the master light was on. Surprisingly I passed. Then on the way home the car started going limp mode on me. Luckily I had about a mile left. When I leave the foot off the accelerator petal , I notice the car doesn’t brake on its own like it usually does. Is that normal? Also some people behind me were getting impatient so I tried to go faster and went above 30mph. I think limp mode only goes under 30mph . Is it possible if I might have damaged something because I went over the limit.
Based on your symptoms and the ones I've seen in other threads, it's time to fix the HV battery. I've read that the HV system basically shuts down in limp mode. Now that you mention it, I think the braking was a bit different when I experienced limp mode recently. Since braking is part of the HV system, I think it just goes full mechanical braking. My gas engine smelled bad too and I would pull over and give it enough time to recover. I've read that the gas engine overheats and enters limp mode. Indeed I popped open the hood and let it cool off and I was able to make it the rest of the way home. Don't understand why though. I bet if you were showing good judgment and didn't floor it for 30 min straight or something like that, your gas engine is probably fine. Nice job on squeaking by on the emissions test =) Bet it felt like a close one there. edit in bold above
Yeah that was my suspicion. Didn't say I floored it for 30 minutes. The testing center was about a mile or two away from my place.
Some options I've heard of 1. New OEM battery. Full Toyota dealership install $3500, 3 yrs warranty 2. New OEM battery. Partial install, you strip the interior, they swap the battery, and you drive it home and finish it up. $1900 parts (incl tax) + $300 labor. 3 yr warranty 3. New OEM battery. $1900 parts (incl tax). Install yourself. 1 yr warranty. 4. New aftermarket cells from New Prius Batteries / $1600. 2 yr warranty. aka 2k1toaster. Lots of Priuschat member seem to be happy with this. I'm seeing threads that this may work better than OEM. Install yourself. 5. Refurbished pack. Green Bean Battery. $1500 installed 6. Refurbished pack. Electron automotive Different options. OEM worked well for me. Sorry for miscommunication, edited above.
Why would anyone pay for this second-hand HV battery when you can buy this brand new set of modules? This should be more like $1650 + 440 labor + taxes so $2,200 - $2,300 total.
You can also check these guys out at Green Bean Battery They want $1,650 for my 2010 Toyota Prius They have a lifetime warranty. (warranty even covers reinstallations) They will come to you and install. The warranty is transferable one time if you sell your car.
