Replace Hybrid Battery Questions

I'm an installer for Dorman up here in Wisconsin.
I easily found a shop in your neck of the woods in less than 15 minutes. I'll PM you.

 

After reading this thread, I went with the grid charger option, and it works! My 2005 Prius threw up the red triangle of death (along with every other light on the panel), and the dealer wanted $3,500 to replace the HV battery. The Hybrid Automotive grid charger cost less than $450 and, with around two hours of trouble-free installation, has fixed the battery and removed all the warning lights. I know it's not a permanent fix, but it gives me time to raise the $1,400 I'll need for a new battery to install.

Also, I like the rental idea for the charger. I would want to arrange for a deposit to make sure it gets returned, but I'm sure that can be worked out. Message me if you're interested.

 

excellent, thanks for the update and shout out to hope this helps!

 

thanks mike, how many miles have you put on the new battery?

 

excellent!

 

Seems I was right all along - Hate to say I told you so - but I did on page 1 !!! glad to see your happy

 

2004 to 2009 are the same battery. I just reconditioned my 2006 with 158,000. I am amazed how easy it was and how good it has worked. Check out Hybrid Automotive LLC, about $500 for the charger/discharger. Why buy a used battery that is going to fail too?

 

My ABS actuator went out recently. I have a couple of recommendations based on my experience.

1. In a high-mileage Prius, I'd definitely recommend going used. There are a million options out there on the internet (such as ebay) for ~$250 or so, or a local repair shop can pull one from a junker for around the same cost. The ABS actuators, even the ones with the faulty design, typically last at least 150k (yours lasted 190k). It's very easy to find parts with significantly less than 100k that should go another 100k miles or so. I had my actuator replaced for $900 (this included some other miscellaneous repair items, so the actual ABS replacement was probably in the $700 to $750 range).

2. Don't drive around without ABS. It's not worth it. If you lock up because some jerkwad cuts you off and slams on his brakes, it's going to be your fault and you're going to be out a lot more than the actuator would have cost you in the first place, especially if you go the route I did. Just find a reputable shop (not dealer), and get the work done with a used part.

 

If the AC evaporator under the dash has failed, that's a really big job. The entire dash has to come out to replace the unit (BTW it's not called an "inside condenser") If the shop called it an "inside condenser" take the car somewhere else. Actually take the car to another AC shop for a 2nd opinion regardless. Prius evaporators don't fail very often and it would suck to spend that kind of money on a mis-diagnosed problem. Most Prius AC problems are Compressor or Condenser (in front of the radiator) related. An if they evacuate and recharge the refrigerant they must use ND11 compatible compressor oil from a system not contaminated with "regular car" AC oil. The AC oil regular cars use can damage the electric compressor the Prius uses. I see a lot of bodyshops replacing condensers then simply recharging the AC with their normal equipment only to find within 12 months the compressor fails because they used the wrong kind of oil.

Used ABS actuators are cheap and plentiful, you just need someone who knows what they are doing to install it since you need to remove the inverter first then use Techstream to properly bleed the brake system once it is replaced. A lot of shops are not comfortable doing that kind of work on a Hybrid. Too bad you didn't live in Colorado!

 

Thanks for the update!

 

• WHY WOULD PRECISION CELL MATCHING BE NEEDED ON BRAND NEW UNUSED FACTORY CELLS ?
  AND
  LOL

• New, as in BRAND NEW, High-Performance Cells with greater capacity for exceptional performance
• Precision cell matching using the very latest technology

Green Tec Auto
Battery Pack with BRAND NEW CELLS, 48 months warranty
Toyota Prius 2016-2019 Hybrid Battery Pack with BRAND NEW CELLS, 48 months warranty


$2,350.00


With return of your old battery

Unlimited Mileage Warranty: 24 Months

 

If you're going to pay $2,350 you might as well pay $2500-$2600 installed for a genuine Toyota battery. We all know the Toyota battery with Primearth/Panasonic modules made in Japan is likely to last 10-15 years, even though the Toyota warranty is not that great.

The batteries with "BRAND NEW CELLS" are likely Chinese with questionable longevity. If they were Toyota modules it should say that.

Talk to any Hybrid specialty shop that installed hundreds of batteries like my shop, they will all tell you new Toyota batteries are the best for longevity and anything refurbished will crap out sooner than you hope. (Independent Hybrid shops charge around $2600 installed for a G2 OEM battery)

 

Greentec has been raising prices. Seems now they are really going up. They used to be quite a bit less than OEM with good warranty.
I’d also go OEM if it’s only a couple to a few hundred dollars more. An OEM battery should last longer and if trouble develops Toyota dealers are easy to find nationwide.