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HV leak in hybrid battery

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by timnthomas85, Oct 15, 2018.

  1. timnthomas85

    timnthomas85 Junior Member

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    2013 Prius c
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    ----USA----
    Hi everyone. I have confirmed that I have a HV leak in my hybrid battery. (I went through the isolation test) I visually inspected the cells and didn't notice any leakage. But, I decided to clean the terminals anyway. I cleaned them with baking soda and vinegar. I'm at a loss because I don't see any signs of leakage or frayed wires. The auto tech said there was also a code referring to a malfunction in one of the battery's relays. Could the relay be responsible for the HV leak? Is there anything else I can try. Car seams to run ok. I just have to disconnect the 12v battery to clear the codes every time I wanna drive it.
     
    #1 timnthomas85, Oct 15, 2018
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    welcome!

    some have found corrosion in the wires at the pin connectors
     
    #2 bisco, Oct 15, 2018
  3. timnthomas85

    timnthomas85 Junior Member

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    Hi! Thanks! What are 'pin connectors'? Is that where the wire connects to the individual cell's terminal?
     
    #3 timnthomas85, Oct 15, 2018
  4. strawbrad

    strawbrad http://minnesotahybridbatteries.com

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    Be very careful working on this battery. The leak means the case and your car's body is hot!

    It can be really difficult to visually spot a leaky module. Gen 2 modules do not leak from the terminals. The modules crack in the recesses next to the mounting bolt inserts. The cracks are so small you won't be able to see them.

    A voltmeter can be used to find the source of the leak. Check for voltage between the negative terminal and the mounting bolt insert on each module. The leaker will show close to full module voltage across those points.
     
    #4 strawbrad, Oct 15, 2018
    keith770_770, davecook89t, SFO and 1 other person like this.
  5. timnthomas85

    timnthomas85 Junior Member

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    2013 Prius c
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    ----USA----
    Are the mounting bolts under the cells? Do I have to flip the whole battery over?
     
    #5 timnthomas85, Oct 15, 2018
  6. Jmack111

    Jmack111 Member

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    Pull the battery and look at the case. Or put them on paper and charge them to 7.9v paper will be wet

    1539576189288.jpeg

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    #6 Jmack111, Oct 19, 2018
  7. keith770_770

    keith770_770 Junior Member

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    Well, I did not have full voltage, but, 1.5 volts made a believer out of me. This is the only post I found that mentioned this possibility. I assumed the steel inserts could not connect with anything...being embedded in plastic. This blog was a pure, OH MY GOD! moment!!!!
    And you are correct. There is NOTHING to see with the eye.

    I have ordered a replacement cell and hope to be triangle free in a matter of days. We love our Prius. It has 354,000 miles on it and we want to restore it. We have decided to paint it Metal flake Bronze.
     
    #7 keith770_770, Oct 4, 2021
  8. Stormy Steve

    Stormy Steve Junior Member

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    I really like your positive remarks about your Prius! METAL FLAKE BRONZE SOUNDS COOL TOO! I spoke to a great guy an hour ago/when I mentioned the sound of frying bacon/at times/ he said to check voltage from positive to the battery case/metal case? With the HV PLUGGED IN.
    3rd pair from left to right reads 10.something then the 67 pair too.
    I was asked to try again to retrieve any codes after clearing everything. If you've never done it/it's disconnect the 12V ground wire for a while and reconnecting.
    I was told to disconnect the HV battery too.
    Then reconnect of course. Start the car run the AC and wait for my red triangle to appear
    .hopefully I can get any codes from my
    OBD2 READER .it's currently saying no codes?
    My current instructor/ great guy/ is from
    Ga.Hybrid Batteries.
    If I buy a battery pack/it's gunna be from this guy! I must have caught him at a good time!
    This guy Mike was trying to help me as if I was his best friend.
    REALLY MADE MY DAY!
     
    #8 Stormy Steve, Oct 30, 2024
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