Every 10 miles warning lights come on

Expanding a little on what S Keith said....

There's another way to write "every 10 miles warning lights come on."

The other way to write it is "every time warning lights come on, driver force-clears memory and drives 10 more miles."

It's a bit on the reckless side.

You'd be taking fewer chances by having even a cheap tool for reading your codes that is in the car when you need it. There are certain codes where, if they came up in the middle of your trip, you could look them up and decide, sure, finish the trip, then deal with them. There are other codes you would not treat that way. Making that kind of decision without knowing what the trouble codes are is taking a big chance with your car.

-Chap

 

What type of HV battery did you use? New or secondhand?

 

S Keith is suggesting that the installation of a remanufactured battery is a temporary solution. Hence, do not be surprised if the next battery also fails after some time passes.

 

You didn't say how much you paid for your re-furb.

Your experience so far has shown the Taylor re-furb did not even get out of the starting gate.

But here are some other thoughts, and these are not directed at you, just putting them out there for others who may still be considering their predicament.

A new Toyota battery can be purchased for $2070 - $2400 + tax. It is expected that a Toyota new will last as long as the original and we are seeing at least 10 years on average so far. Taking the highest price (worst case) of $2400 and dividing by 10 years we come up with a cost per year of $240. A re-furb to be worth it needs to be at least a two thirds (more like half) the cost of this to be worth the risks and hassle (IMHO), so $160 per year.

So a refurb with a 3 year warranty should only command a price of no more than $480.

We are seeing plenty of reports of re-furbs that do not even last 3 months let alone 3 years.

Obviously, there are horses for courses, so it depends on what you want to achieve (quick and dirty vs longevity), but I think going Toyota New ticks more boxes than going re-furb.

The trouble is not many people put $6.12 a week (2 coffees a week?) aside over the life of the car, so when they are hit with a 2400 + 550 + tax repair bill, it hurts a little bit. People do need to stop feeling Toyota are ripping them off, though. The new battery is not a bad deal and certainly not a rip off. If it makes you feel any better, when it comes around to my turn that price is nearly NZ$5,000 with the current currency conversion, and I doubt the parts will be as cheap as they are in the US. So, I'm thinking more like NZ$7,000. Ouch.

Once again, not pointing fingers at the OP -- more musing aloud, hoping some may find some comfort at another point-of-view.

One thing though, if people stopped paying the ridiculous prices of re-furb batteries. some of those charlatans may just go away.

 

Sadly, you did not know the prices of NEW HV Battery packs.

$1875 + tax (assumed), for a rebuilt HV Battery pack. Taylor Automotive : Automotive Service and Maintenance in Sanford, NC
So Taylor says it comes with a 3year/unlimited mileage warranty; best warranty is one you never need.

$2071 + tax for a 100% NEW, OEM HV Battery pack. 2007 Toyota Prius Parts - Toyota of San Bernardino Online Parts Store
HV ECUs from old pack have to be transferred into new HV pack. Not all dealers will sell the HV Pack. You just need to call and find out why or what is required for the sale. San Bernardino just requires the Service Manager's approval for the parts dept to sell to you.

Toyota HV Battery pack warranty:

• 1 year/unlimited mileage warranty when HV Battery is NOT installed by a Toyota dealer.
• 3 year/unlimited mileage warranty when HV Battery is installed by a Toyota dealer. (estimated $400-$600 labor install fee)

Your original HV Battery gave you 10years/130K miles. Your rebuilt gave you how many miles & trouble free days?

As other people have pointed out, a NEW HV Battery would likely have given you another 10years/130K miles.
A NEW HV Battery pack would realistically make your car more attractive to purchase and possibly command a higher sale price b/c of the new HV pack.

Too bad battery life couldn't be measured easily like tread depth on a tire. A reasonable person would not expect a used tire to give him/her the same longevity as a new tire. This assumes a used tire will be below 10/32inch, the depth of most new tires, and the car is properly aligned to minimize unusual tire wear.

 

taylor/dorman have a pretty good rep, you should be fine.

 

I've been looking into this lately and have a couple of points regarding OEM:

1) super low online prices don't include a core charge ($1,350 for the closest one to me) that must be paid up front if being shipped to you.
2) prices don't include shipping a very heavy battery which would be across the country in the OP's case.
3) shipping would be commercial to a business location not your home without a substantial surcharge
4) you pay to ship core back
5) local Toyota dealership labor rates to install will not be "friendly" when they find out you didn't buy the battery from their parts dept.
6) I have yet to find in writing Toyota's replacement battery warranty has indeed changed to 3yr/36k miles in the USA.

FWIW

 

THANKS!

This also answers another concern I had on installation. Must be through the dealer to get the 3/36 warranty so no DIY or independent shop installs.

 

Pretty much the Toyota dealers selling online won't ship b/c EXPENSIVE.

You need to call the online dealer you are interested in buying from to see if they will sell to you. Some dealers sadly refuse to sell. Others will, but you should start looking into this. Those that refuse, ask them if the service manager's approval is required to overide this refusal, b/c you have the Toyota manual (from TIS), necessary tools (hand tools, Techstream, and High Voltage line men gloves), and actually have a licensed electrician to give a hand.

Some dealers will do a will-call pick-up for items that can't be shipped or too expensive to ship. Camelback in Phoenix, AZ, does this, and will price match other online dealers (when possible).

As for the core charge, bring the old HV Battery to eliminate the core charge. Just be sure to remove the required parts from the old HV Battery into the new replacement.

 

Camelback's FREE Shipping has a weight and box size limitation. Camelback Toyota Parts - Genuine OEM Parts - Free Shipping

Free Shipping: We will ship one 36" x 24" x 12" package or smaller for free (must meet the minimum purchase of $150.00). You will be responsible for additional,larger package fees or hazardous material fees. Offer is limited to the continental United States and does not include Alaska or Hawaii. Excludes oversized items. An example of oversized is but not limited to any body parts, bumpers, bumper cover, fender, hood, wheel liner, engines, wheels, transmissions, or any other oversized item larger than 36" x 24" x 12" or over 25lbs. An example of hazardous materials would be an airbag or a seatbelt pre-tensioner. Free shipping is sent out as FedEx Ground shipping.

 

I found a Houston area dealer with the same price. If I can get the batt before the "christmas tree" arrives and thus the car is still drivable for a couple of hundred miles to take there, then I'll use them for the install, get the longer warranty, and skip the core charge and shipping hassles. I would also have travel, hotel, and meal expenses during the turnaround.

I will also consider a DIY install and take the original batt to them for an exchange, skip the core and high dealership install charges, and live with the 1yr/12k warranty but lower overall costs.

Lots of options.

 

Not to beat a dead horse but the current Toyota USA warranty webpage for replacement parts still says 1yr/12k.

So, I've been looking for an actual link to this warranty and, well, lets just say it's been rather elusive. The best I've found is this: Toyota Hybrid Battery Warranty Coverage extended to 3yr/36,000 miles | TOYO Headquarters It gives a public policy number.