No Start, Techstream info included

Look like it's time to pull the hybrid pack, inspect for damage and clean corrosion off the bus bars, as well as load test each module and replace the bad modules, then recondition the pack by discharging and charging each module... Or at least that's the inexpensive DIY fix, the more expensive more permanent fix is a new set of modules at $2K. But first make sure you have a healthy 12v battery because the can create weird readings if they're failing.

 

Yes.....but at 10 years old, if it also has high mileage.....and has lived in Florida most of it's life.......the odds of failing HV cells are REALLY high.

AND I would not even consider having it "rebuilt" unless all of the cells are replaced with new......because others will be failing real soon now too probably.

 

The problem didn't occur until a Toyota dealership worked on the car... There's a certain amount of liability/irresponsibility that the dealership has to handle depending on how passive or assertive the original poster decides to be.

As for hybrid battery repair, there are many examples of replacing bad modules in Prius and getting more years out of a battery pack without having to replace more modules. If you can go 6 weeks to three months with no new warning lights, you can probably get into years on a repaired pack. This doesn't work on Honda insight and other hybrids, but works well on Prius.

The biggest problem is people ignoring the warning lights and doing more damage to the pack because folks like yourself convince them there's no easy fix and they have to spend thousands... And if you ignore the warning lights a quick cheap fix of a few hundred bucks will fast no longer be an option once that first bad module heats up the pack too much.

 

try the prolong charger. has the car been sitting?
how is the 12v health?

 

You asked the same question in another thread (multiple posts – a bad idea btw) which has some answers.

 

And then there are folks like YOU who try to convince people that there is no such thing as a coincidence......and that when a mechanic touches anything on a car then he is automatically liable for anything that goes wrong with it for the next 6 months.

As far as "rebuilding" battery packs goes, It seems to me like most of the reports we have seen on here, with vehicles that are over 10 years old and over 150,000 miles, has the owner exercising their "warranty" with the battery rebuilder about every 12 months (or less)as long as they continue to own the car. If you don't mind doing that, it might be a viable option. Most people don't like screwing with it that often.

YMMV.

Did you LOOK at the numbers ??
A couple of them are REALLY bad.

 

You have a failed hybrid battery. It happens.

You can, in order of best to worst and correspondingly also most to least expensive:
1) replace with new Toyota pack
2) replace with 28 new modules (very limited source)
3) get a rebuilt pack (prices/warranties vary)
4) try to rebuild/repair yourself

 

yea... Prolong doesn't fix problems this bad, unless it's a 12volt battery anomaly

If I took a car in for repairs and they returned it too me with all the warning lights on I'd raise hell... This isn't an anything that happens for 6 months type of scenario, unless the OP mis-spoke or I misunderstood.

 

Here's my 2 cents..and that may be all it's worth. The numbers shown on his techstream photos do not indicate to me that he has a module problem. They indicate to me he has a sensor harness, plug or ecu problem. That is where the inspection needs to focus. Order a new wire harness for 60 bucks. Inspect the battery ecu sockets for corrosion. Cleanup or replace if needed. Problem probably goes away.

 

Yes! That makes the most sense... Those numbers look really weird, but I kept my mouth shut because I've no experience with numbers that weird. I think your two cents is spot on!

 

Which is what I more or less said in his other thread.

Which is why people should not start multiple threads on the same problem in different forums. I just spreads the focus and wastes people's efforts.

 

Is there a way to redesign how forums are presented/options for posting that solves this problem?

Blaming brand new participants for not posting correctly seems a bit unfair... And instead asking the designers of the site to stop being so confusing seems like a more productive way to improve PriusChat. Is there perhaps a better way to organize posting to this website as it grows and changes and ultimately reaches the end of its lifespan?

As in 5 years ago it was Gen1 and Gen2 owners with lots of miles and serious repair questions and upstart Gen 3 owners with less repair oriented questions.

But now we have so many different forums even I don't know how to follow them all, let alone someone who is freaking out about their only means of transportation being broke down and trying to figure out where to find help?

Perhaps if we had a new 'urgent help' forum specifically for people with broke down Prius in need of immediate help and then keep the other forums for non-urgent more specific Prius tech questions/discussions?

 

Not really. No matter how something is organised, there will be people who find it illogical. You just have to try to cater to the majority, the rest just have to learn to cope.

It is kinda expected that new people familiarise themselves with the forum environment by read through the noobie section, which gives information about how to get around the forums and the etiquette, some of which is unique to this site and some of which is general forum etiquette.

I don't think it is even possible to follow every forum, nor is it expected. Just follow the forums of interest, which usually for most people is the group of forums around the Gen(s) they own.

 

While I understand what you're saying, if you've never been on here before and you're in crisis because your Prius just broke down, an urgent care forum that's super easy to find for someone who's stressed out and not thinking clearly would be something to consider so moderators don't complain about the newbies publishing in the wrong forum, or more than one forum.

Sometimes I get email notifications from newbies who don't get any reply for a long time, whereas less urgent posts from established members often get lots of replies right away... I suppose at this point in Prius history most of this forum's growth is behind us now and no reason to change too much, but it is something to consider if you have any discussions/meetings about what's next.