Gen 1 Prius as a hobby

Well fortunately when you go to look at the car you can get the error codes and see what you got Yes the battery could be flat but it should charge up pretty quickly once the car is ready and somebody gets out and starts really driving it the 12 volt first comes to mind sitting for a year yeah that thing's probably got eight volts or something silly so you don't use your expertise and your knowledge once you get to the car until then it's just a crap shooting the dark We know it's been sitting a year That's bad enough

 

a 22 year old hybrid will be a great hobby car. expect a lot of things to go wrong and constant fun diagnosing and repairing.
all the best!

 

heads up. The vehicle has been out of production for 19+ years, and did not achieve large volume during production, so spares are becoming hard to come by, even through Toyota.
Great little vehicle for those with the patience and no small amount of ingenuity to maintain....

 

If it starts and drives the HV battery isn't completely depleted. The gas engine stalling at a stop light will set a diagnostic code, you'll need a code reader to find out more.

 

May be a problem finding a replacement Gen 1 battery pack.

Couple of suitable options:
https://projectlithium.com/products/prius-gen1-lithium-upgrade-pack-19-blocks
https://2ndlifebattery.com/product/2001-2003-toyota-prius-hybrid-refurbished-battery/

 

The only other problem with a "hobby car"" car is that it becomes like a slightly dotty spouse. Then, at some point, the realization arrives that it is necessary to put the "hobby car" to a permanent rest (due to failure of a major structure member, for example).

Cue the song "Fifty Ways to Leave Your Lover" by Paul Simon.
(youtube link).

 

The ICE "stalling" while the car isn't moving is normal behavior. The engine is programmed to shut off under that circumstance, unless it is charging the HV battery and/or the AC is operating. Does the engine start up when you press the accelerator pedal to move on? What do you mean by "error message?" Does the check engine light (CEL) come on? Whatever is going on, you'll need to pull the codes, as has been said already.

 

gorgeous! please post your progress, all the best!

 

My favorite color. Now you've made me miss mine.

 

Congrats! Nice lookingz vehicle....
Just a heads up, since you plan to open the HV battery for inspection & cleaning, be sure to pay attention to the plug/connector where the sense harness connects to the battery computer. It may be showing signs that it is vulnerable to failure such as is described in this thread:

HV Battery Almost fire and replacement :'( | PriusChat

May good luck follow you with the repair!

 

Looks great! Might be worth a new Toyota battery pack if one can be found.

 

There are 38 modules, a pair for each of the 19 banks. Each module has six 1.2v cells. Looks like several modules have a bad cell so I believe these modules will need to be replaced (I've never reconditioned a battery, so not sure if bad cells can be revived, but if it's the original pack it's probably not worth the time).

Not sure if gen1 and gen2 modules can be mixed, so will need to replace all 38. Best option is a new pack from Toyota if available.

There's also after market new modules you can install yourself, like Project Lithium https://projectlithium.com/?ref=mG0GE

 

They do list a gen1 package, but looks like none in stock, so no telling when/if they'll be available.

https://projectlithium.com/products/prius-gen1-lithium-upgrade-pack-19-blocks