Bad Hybrid Battery/Independent Mechanic in Northern Virginia? Anyone?

There is an independent shop in Hillmuth, MD. That's about the closest to DC that I know of.

Preferred Independent Hybrid Car Repair and Service Shops | Hybrid Cars

 

WARNING: THE FOLLOWING ADVICE MAY BE HAZARDOUS. 200+ VOLTS OF DIRECT CURRENT IS DEADLY AND MUST BE RESPECTED AND APPROACHED WITH CAUTION AND PROPER PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT.

With that in mind, I say fix it yourself. There are numerous posts on here that detail the procedure. All of my research says its usually one or two cells that go bad. I see them on Ebay all the time for about $40 per cell (sometimes cheaper). It will probably require a lot of time and effort on your part but, the potential to save about $3500 (in your case) exists.

You can also order a complete battery from ReInvolt for way less and do it yourself. This will probably save you about $1000.

I don't know what your situation is but if you have a garage and some tools, (and are confident you can observe the safety requirements associated) this may be an option.

This link http://priuschat.com/forums/generation-1-prius-discussion/84017-nhw11-traction-battery-autopsy.html details an autopsy on a gen 1 battery. I know you have a Gen II however, I would bet the process is very similiar. I would also bet these guys would provide advice if you asked them.

I have two Prii with over 100,000 miles and if either have traction battery problems, I intend to fix it myself.

 

Little late into the mix... but I have had great success and no complaints with a place called Stevens Auto clinic, out on RT1 in Alexandria. He has never done me wrong in the various jobs he has performed. Battery replacement/work on a Prius, might have to ask him... but I doubt that he would turn you away.
And hopefully you avoid the Toyota dealer, wont directly mention names, on RT29 Fairfax city. Worthless, their best attempt at any problem is to disconnect the battery and reset everything back to factory. Routine maintenance, reset... request for specific problem, reset. Never really address a problem just gloss over it. Needless to say I have become very good at turning off the backup beep ... every 5K miles

 

If you Northern Virginian's are still out there, do you think the places in Asburn or Alexandria would be also good at 100k miles service such as checking the Prius fan for clogging etc? In other words, are they Prius experts? I have actually been happy with my dealer Miller in Manassas but would like to keep costs down and still get good quality. Also going to need new water pump but want to delay if poss.

 

I notice the last post was in 2010, hopefully you get this reply but I was wondering how your battery was doing after 2 years. I am also considering ReInvolt. Did you deal with them or directly with Mac's from the beginning? Thanks!

 

Here's another vote for Mac's Service Center in Ashland, VA. He saved me $2,800 on a $5,000 dealer estimate for an inverter for my Gen I. I got absolutely excellent service -- AND he also guarantees his work for 36k miles or 36 mos! That's where I'll be going from now on, even though he's about 90 miles away from my home.

 

I've just spent a couple weeks searching for this info, the best option that I found was a guy who refurbishes batteries in Ashland, VA. He was definitely cheaper than the reinvolt option.

I drove down yesterday to have my gen II battery replaced (so far so good but its only been a day). He sells on ebay with the ID solar-glass-wind, has good reviews.
(HYBRID BATTERIES)
His phone # is eight-O-four two six four seven one seven one, email solarglasswind at hotmail dot com

He has a mobile van, drives out for installation (he's willing to come up in the DC area for a fee) and can refurb your battery or just sell an existing charged one. He has a 1 year warranty on his refurbed batteries.

While he had everything opened, we checked out the fan, etc. as well.

 

How much?

 

At the time of this post - He (Todd) sells the batteries for $999, $200 for installation, -$150 core refund, + extra fee for driving long distances.

I think it took less than 2 hours for him to replace mine, but I was badgering him by making him explain and letting me take pics.

 

Sounds like a good price. Just north of Richmond. Good find! Thanks.

 

I just used prius hybrid repair in annapolis with great results. He comes to you.

 

Try Steve in Upper Marlboro, 240-508-1219. He is the installer for a West Coast firm, GreenTec that offers fair price. Good luck...

 

Looks like greentec is about $1345 + $500, but then there is a core that has to be returned to get teh $500 back and shipping paid for, etc. How much does it all end up total?

 

, post: 1800737, member: 111117"]At the time of this post - He (Todd) sells the batteries for $999, $200 for installation, -$150 core refund, + extra fee for driving long distances.

I think it took less than 2 hours for him to replace mine, but I was badgering him by making him explain and letting me take pics.


Hey Just wondering how Todds work held up. I'm comparing him to Mac's and the price difference is quite drastic. Did Todd just replace certain cells?


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He replaced the entire battery with a remanufactured one... It's been 2 years, I've probably gotten around 50k miles at least on the battery. He honored the warranty when I had a problem.