Has anyone ever used hybridbatteryexperts

Go to Taylor Automotive : Automotive Service and Maintenance in Sanford, NC (Dave Taylor created ReInVolt now Dorman Hybrid Drive Batteries) and they can install a high quality re-manufactured HV battery for about $2000. I have a ReInVolt in my 2004 Prius that was installed 59k miles ago and it has performed well.

JeffD

 

welcome to priuschat! you're fortunate to be near such a great installer. all the best!

 

You might want to try and ask toyota for a goodwill warranty on your battery. It's just outside the warranty period and often they will cover the parts 50 to 100 percent, you just pay labor to install. Your dealer service manager call also assist you in contacting toyota on your behalf to make this warranty request.

SM-N900P ?

 

I would still contact the service manager at the dealership to assist you on making the request again. Let them know you are getting the run around with hq and you need them to make the call/request for you. It's really their job to help you with service requests.

SM-N900P ?

 

Also express to them that you are normally very satisfied with the Toyota product but this hybrid is a bit of a disappointment as one of the major components has failed right after the warranty has expired. You would expect Toyota products to be reliable beyond the normal warranty period.

 

Call these people, they are just over 40 miles from Raleigh. I would recommend them first.

Taylor Automotive : Automotive Service and Maintenance in Sanford, NC

919-774-4037

Hybridbatteryexperts is out of Florida. Unless they do mobile installation, probably won't be able to do much for you. On the other hand David Taylor at Taylor Automotive pioneered hybrid battery repair and rebuilding and has since sold the technology to Dorman which is a major parts supplier. I strongly suggest you call the above phone number and take your car to them.

You can disconnect the 12 volt battery to clear the codes so the Prius can be driven again. Just don't push it hard on the freeways or hills and you should be okay.

Best of luck to you and "Welcome to Prius Chat"!

Google Maps

 

Sounds new. NC was formerly the home of ReInvolt, one of the more reputable suppliers of rebuilt batteries. Now ReInvolt is bought out by Dorman, but you can get the batteries thru certain auto parts stores. That would run around $2000 but I think someone had a quote of $1750 so maybe cost is coming down. I don't think we've heard of a reputable rebuild for $999 (that would be nice). But salvage batt from wreck can be valid solution and cost could be lower like that. Pls keep us informed.

 

I agree, keep fighting.

If they still are unwilling to do anything there are some other options. You can buy the Dorman battery (formerly ReInvolt) online from several retailers. The cheapest I've found is $1450 from Northern Auto Parts. If you submit a promo code for 10% off itshould bring it down under $1300. I believe this battery comes with a 3 year warranty. Of course you do have to pay the core fee which you will be refunded after they receive yours. Once you have the battery there are several people in the area that know how to do this and would probably charge $300 or less. It only takes a few hours to swap out an HV battery in a Prius. Total cost should be no more than $1600.

 

Here in the CA craigslist, there are tons of listings for HV batteries. Most of them go for $300 to $600 with core exchange. $300 would have 30 days warranty, $600 would have 1 year warranty. There are at least 5 individual listings at any given time.

I know these used cells can be purchased on Ebay for about $30 bucks. I think they are replacing bad modules and then selling them off again. I would think if you ever needed warranty from these people, they would be very hard to reach. They are a mobile service and don't have a storefront where you would be able to find them.

The last company you listed might be one of these fly by night services. At $1000, it seems quite high to take a gamble.

 

This is a better result than I had anticipated. I think it's because of your lower mileage that toyota agreed to covered the part completely. Congrats.

SM-N900P ?

 

Just for others who might be wondering about this "company", I purchased one from them less than 8 months ago and the pack just failed on me as of today.

I put less than 5000 miles on it.

Called the guy and informed him of what had happened and he told me he would look me up in the system and call me back in 15 to 20 minutes.

Haven't heard from him since.

Had negative feelings about him from the very beginning.

Now I don't know what I am going to do.

 

Buyer beware on these .com and mobile services that offer warranties on their batteries. I would think many times these warranties are worthless as you can't put a claim in for replacement.

If the business phone number is still working, I would keep calling it and make sure they answer my call.

 

Hey, I thought I would chime in. I live in GA and my options are pretty limited for battery replacement. I was cursing craigslist for a battery and saw an ad/post for Carworx Hybrid Battery Experts. I called the guys and talked to the owner? Juan for a little while. I asked him about the balancing process they use and their methodology. Said it is done by computer but didn't have too many details. He seemed pretty nice over the phone so I thought I would give it a shot.

I had two bad cells on my 05 with 119k and the big red exclamation point. My prius was driving ok, just lots of engine running and really poor mileage. Instead of the craigslist add, I actually ordered the a battery from them off ebay. On ebay they come with a 45 day buyers protection so I thought that might be a safer route. It comes with a 18 month warranty (if they are still around) for $999 including tax, delivery and install. (I should also add that they were able to come out to my house 2 days after I purchased battery, but ymmv depending on other installs they have)

I had the battery installed today. They drove to my house (about 450 miles from Orlando) and installed it, total time of install was about 30 minutes start to finish. The installer said he has done about 2/3 battery jobs a day for the last year and he was pretty efficient.
I used my VCI to check the cell voltage before he left and the batteries seem decently balanced. There is one cell that is an outlier (average 16.5, cell 1 average 16.3) so I'll keep an eye on it. I'll keep everyone updated on the process and the results check back in on the battery in every month or so. If this thread gets more attention (as it might due to the really inexpensive prices advertised) I'll do a more through review. I can also post the battery readouts of the one they installed if anyone is interested.

 

would like to know how the replacement worked out, also called juan at carworx, $1200 installed, please let me know if they are reputable, thanks