2004 Prius 230,000 miles Hybrid battery still working?

Like to follow this discussion.

I'm not a Master Mechanic or Engineer. Just a thought. Do you have any warning lights on the dash and have you brought the car to a shop to pull the codes and evaluate there meaning?

 

Without the Hybrid battery the engine cannot start, so if you are driving, it is working. The computers do quite a lot of diagnostics, so most owners first hint there is a problem is the intrement panel lights up with warnings.

 

Sometimes the Traction battery can be on it's last legs. The 12V battery is a good start. Pull some codes may help. Let us know how it works out.

 

Once you get a new 12volt put in you can start to figure the status of the traction battery... If it charges up and discharges relatively fast that's a sign of aging... Also if you're comfortable/have experience safely working on cars pull the cover and use a multi-tester on each individual battery cell in the HV package... Each one of these cells need to have close to the same readings... HV batteries tend to die once once once cell starts to go bad, which plays havoc with the other cells/CPU.... I've also read that some on here have dramatically improved HV battery performance simply by testing each cell, tightening each bolt, cleaning any signs of corrosion...

Another consideration is the health of your Catalytic Converter, which may be a warranty item if you're in California. Do more searches on Prius Chat for details on all this... Lots of info on here!

 

How do we "pull the cover" on the HV battery? I've some experience working on aircraft and have a good Fluke digital meter and have an '06 w/123k mi and would love to test the cells and see how they are doing, Thanks, Lynn

 

I am linking the HV Battery dismantler guide. Quit dismantling when you get where you want! <G>
http://www.toyota-tech.eu/HYBRID/HVDM/EN/PRIUS_nhw20.pdf

 

The MPG's of any car will fluctuate. If you are in warmup and you creep around parking lots you will see single digit miles per gallon. If you are stopped but the engine is on, you are getting 0 miles to the gallon. The instantaneous readout is just that, instantaneous. The only one that counts is the average mpg.

42mpg for an original traction battery is not too shabby. Not great, but not bad.

 

If you mean "How do we pull the cover" because you looked at it and can't figure it out then maybe steer clear of this project because HV can kill you if you do something goofy. But if you mean "How do we pull the cover" because you'd like to research DIY threads and Jimbo's link to disassembly before you begin because you understand the value of knowing the procedure backwards and forwards before you start then go for it, I'm sure it'll be easy work for 'ya!

You can usually find YouTube videos for stuff like this... Luscious Garage has a particularly nice channel of Prius repair and inspections videos. Also here's a couple links that look promising:

HV battery testing | PriusChat
http://researchcommons.waikato.ac.nz/bitstream/handle/10289/5714/PriusBatteryRebuildability-LeijenScott2011.pdf

 

i am having doubts about my 2004's hybrid battery, too. 240,000 miles, new 12 volt battery, no codes. but car seems sluggish, and i've lost about 8 mpg. I could drive aregular car or a honda if i am only going to get 40 mpg. thinking about trading it in for a newer used prius while i can still get maybe $3,000 for it.

 

It might be close to death. You can get a full health reading from a Toyota Dealership.

As to getting 40mpg in a "regular car"... Yeah right. The 40mpg claims are with the test cycle on the flat highway at low speeds. For Fusion hybrid doesn't even get 40mpg in real life. The "eco boosts" are below 40 in real life too. The Prius is rated at 50 and most people get 50. Some get 40's, some get 60's. The other cars are rated at 40, and nobody gets 40. On fuelly, not a single person.

 

240,000 Miles many reliable years. I would trade it in while it works and before you put more money into it and get a New Prius. Be carefull of the used ones, many are in the market that were flooded with Hurricane Sandy and have damage.

 

If you like the rest of the car as-is, pay a dealer to diagnose the hybrid battery. If it is failing it can be replaced for about $2k. Cheaper and much more certain than swapping the car for anything else.

 

on the one hand, $2000 is a lot less than $16000. but mine is a 2004 with other issues. steering wheel controls dont work, needs new wiring harness for abs/vsc system, its been in an accident - i seem to spend $300/month on failed parts. Shallow as it may be, i think i really hesitate because i want the tideland pearl color. sigh...

 

I have found a used 2010 pkg four. this is a local vehicle. all service has been done at my dealer svc dept.

 

Hey buddy you got your monies worth. Start shopping for a new car. No sense throwing good money at a bad car.

 

How many miles on it?

Will they give you the 3K for the trade in on the used car?

Does it include a dealer paid extended warranty?

Try and get em down in price below Blue Book
Official Kelley Blue Book New Car and Used Car Prices and Values


Check the spare tire well for rust. That is a sign of Sandy water damage.

 

Thanks for the advice!

 

No problem. It was forward of me though. Good to throw you plan up against scrutiny to get a few opinions sometimes.