Replaced 3 bad cells. Electric Engine turns off after one mile.

Look for and read the threads on here that talk about testing and repair procedures for the batteries.
If that doesn't give you what you need, find a shop that works on hybrid cars or the batteries.

There are really only two choices: Educate yourself on the proper procedures or find someone else to fix it for you.

And please be careful around that battery. A wrong move can KILL you.

 

the only advice i can give you is to search for threads on cell balancing. it's a long drawn out procedure that requires patience, skill and special chargers.

 

if i can find one, i'll post it for you. i think there is a large one by member 'ryousideways'.

 

Since the fault is reported on the battery modules that you recently replaced, that shows you those modules probably have lower current capacity compared to the original modules in your battery. So you can try the discharging/charging techniques which others have described, to see whether you can improve those newly installed modules.

Besides reviewing the posts about how to balance the battery modules, you really should obtain Mini VCI because this will provide you a means to monitor the voltage and internal resistance of the 14 module pairs while you are driving the vehicle.

It is one thing for the modules to show the same voltage when the battery is not in use. It is quite another for the modules to continue to show the same voltage as the battery is placed under load. The instantaneous current draw on the battery can be 80A or more under heavy acceleration, which will definitely reveal any problems with regards to battery module internal resistance.

 

I just saw this thread and I am curious as to if you ever disconnected the 12 v to clear the codes, then tried driving it again? Any updates?
Jessica


iPhone ?

 

Is quality of cells purchased on ebay an issue here?

 

Yep on being careful.

If there are better threads on rebuilding and balancing, please add them to Failed traction (HV) battery, what to do? - Prius Wiki and possibly remove any non-useful threads from there.

 

Hey Nick,
I'm in the same boat as you. I bought a used prius of CL with known hybrid battery issues. I took to autozone to pull the codes but they didn't help much (only pulled hybrid battery failure). I ordered a Mini VCI off amazon for about $27 and I'm planning to run that in the next few days when it comes in. My prius was actually driving normally for about 2000 miles after the first red exclamation point come on (before I got it) and I've even averaged 50+mpg on a tank since then. Right now it seems to drive ok but engine runs a lot to keep the traction battery powered up. There is a guy in town that was put a refurbished cell set in for ~$900 but I think I'll try replacing a few cells first if that is what the VCI says. If it doesn't work I'll just get him to replace it all. Also, how long did it take you to change out the cell on the first try? I was budgeting about 5-8 hours.

 

I agree. Often the voltage may look the same, but the internal resistance is muuuuucccch different.

The car senses the difference and does not like it, and then throws a code.

It's like all the modules are running a race with one leg tied to the next guy.
They all need to run the race at the same speed. No one too fast; no one too slow.

While the modules you got may be good, they simply may not play nice with the other modules in your particular pack. It's good if you have a variety of extra modules to choose from so that you can get one matched more closely to the characteristics of your pack.

In the meantime, do the best with what you've got by trying some balancing, or buy a couple more and see if they are more similar to the ones that are in your existing pack.