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anyone ever had a AAA person install a new battery?

Discussion in 'Generation 1 Prius Discussion' started by peripatetic pri, Nov 29, 2022.

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  1. peripatetic pri

    peripatetic pri Junior Member

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    Hi Interstate battery seems to have died (4 yrs?) -- apparently they're only warrantied for 2. Hardly any real miles on it.
    B'friend bought me new battery:
    odyssey extreme -- recommended by Autozone guy but only 2 yr warranty.
    So AAA comes out if you have a dead battery: has anyone ever had them install a prius battery?
    I'm mad the battery died in 4 yrs - I don't think that's really enough. Would having stuff in trunk near to battery make a diff?
    Thanks!
     
    #1 peripatetic pri, Nov 29, 2022
  2. TGrracie

    TGrracie Member

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    Yes, but not in my Prius Prime. I had them put one in my old Chevy Sonic. It lasted until I sold the car two years later.
     
    #2 TGrracie, Nov 30, 2022
  3. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    They will if it’s under the hood or easily accessible. But if it’s in a tough location like gen 2 and 3, they won’t.
    Even the auto parts stores won’t.

    the reason you’re battery failed is because you aren’t driving enough.
    Keep a smart charger on it
     
    #3 bisco, Nov 30, 2022
  4. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk EGR Fanatic

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    I took a look at the 01 Owner's Manual, it's in the hatch, on driver's side. It's not that hard, but yeah, I know.

    One wrinkle with Toyota battery swaps: is the dopey hold-down bracket design: it has zero tolerance for any variation in battery height. If the battery you drop in is a mm taller, you'll be needing washers or similar to shim up the bracket. A mm shorter, and you'll need to tuck something under the battery, or between the bracket and top of battery.

    The drill, apart from that:

    With a 10 mm wrench, disconnect the negative clamp, and tuck out of the way.

    Disconnect the positive (red sheathed) clamp.

    Lift out battery.

    Good practice: with bristle brush, sand paper, what have you, clean the inside of the clamps a bit.

    Place new battery in position.

    Install positive battery clamp. Snug the bolt on the clamp, but don't go nuts: just moderate tightness.

    Repeat for negative battery clamp.
     
    #4 Mendel Leisk, Nov 30, 2022
    Last edited: Nov 30, 2022
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  5. peripatetic pri

    peripatetic pri Junior Member

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    Thank you, Mendel, Bisco, T Gracie!
    What is a smart charger and do I have to put it on when battery installed?
    Thank you Mendel. I thought was on passenger. But I guess will figure out soon enough. Your instructions are great. Thanks agin!
    By the way, AAA will only install AAA batteries, and they don't have any for '01 prius.
     
    #5 peripatetic pri, Nov 30, 2022
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  6. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk EGR Fanatic

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    Smart chargers can typically be left on indefinitely, if you want. It's not mandatory to use a charger; with a new battery, you'll be fine, if your usage is pretty frequent, and it's not all short trips. Chargers are more necessary if your usage is intermittent, the car often sits for multiple days, or your trips are mostly short.

    We're only putting on about 3000 kilometers yearly, the car'll sometimes sit for a week. On the plus side our use tends to be longer trips, or taking care of a bunch of errands on one day. I'm using a CTEK 4.3 (believe CTEK 5 is pretty much the same). Noco is another brand that's popular. For our application, it's pretty much constantly on the charger.

    Over 7 years old and still in 100% shape (according to a Solar BA5 tester), so the charging regimen must be doing the trick.
     
    #6 Mendel Leisk, Nov 30, 2022
  7. peripatetic pri

    peripatetic pri Junior Member

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    Mendel - you're right. It's on driver's side.
    AAA didn't come . . took 3 hrs and had to cancel bc guy at auto zone leaving
    . B'friend has a battery charger . . how difficult is it to take battery out, put on charger, and get back in?
    The battery charger is not for a prius 12 volt- 12 volt does look smaller than your average car battery . .
    I'm not quite sure it's toast . .as I think I said already, in the last month, 1.5 mos. when I stop and still have a c.d. playing the screen goes blank in about 2 minutes and the c.d. stops . .
    Then I left a map light on. .. now it won't turn over.
    So if I don't need a brand new battery of course I don't want to get one, but kinda seems as if I might need one because you don't want to get stranded someplace.
    ideas?
    I just don't know how hard it is to get out and back in in order to charge it . .if it's tricky I should probably just wait for AAA .. but then if they're here I'll want to get it towed to the auto zone which will replace the battery at the same time .
     
    #7 peripatetic pri, Nov 30, 2022
  8. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    did you tell auto zone it is a prius? if so, did they listen?
     
    #8 bisco, Nov 30, 2022
  9. peripatetic pri

    peripatetic pri Junior Member

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    Thanks, Mendel. Looked up the CTEK 5. Yes, my car does sit for a few days in a row and there are short trips -- some long. So does the charger just get plugged in and sit there stuck to the battery in the trunk? It won't really fit under the carpet. .
    Battery charger would be great but boyfriend just said that he doesn't really know how to take out, put on .
     
    #9 peripatetic pri, Nov 30, 2022
  10. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk EGR Fanatic

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    Have you got the new battery? Case dimensions are the same, or close? Positive and negative battery posts oriented the same, and same diameter?
     
    #10 Mendel Leisk, Nov 30, 2022
  11. Pulse07

    Pulse07 Active Member

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    Interstate Batteries are made by Johnson Controls, Which also makes the batteries for many autoparts store. Basically theres only a few manufactures of car batteries, they are all pretty much the same forme, but the lead plates may be different.
     
    #11 Pulse07, Nov 30, 2022
  12. peripatetic pri

    peripatetic pri Junior Member

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    Thanks, all!
    OK, so dimensions:

    1-1 of 1 Results

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    • [​IMG]

      Odyssey AGM Power Sport Battery PC925LMJT 330 CCA
      • Notes: *** 380 Cold cranking amps ***. 52 reserve minutes. Length 6.64". Width 7.05". Height 5.04". Left positive SAE brass posts. With 3/8". Threaded receptacle. With metal jacket. Vehicle battery restraint(s) may require modification. Installation requires battery to be placed on its side to dimensionally fit
      $283.99




      Free In-Store or Curbside Pick Up
      Not available at 413 MERIDIAN AVE E

      Home Delivery
      [​IMG]
      Standard Delivery
      Est. Delivery Dec. 02

     
    #12 peripatetic pri, Nov 30, 2022
  13. peripatetic pri

    peripatetic pri Junior Member

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    OK, I don't think it should be placed on side. Current battery not on side. Quick search and can't find dimensions of factory 12-volt for '01. What I want to avoid, of course, is towing it there, then battery doesn't fit; then I have to tow back. Thanks, K
     
    #13 peripatetic pri, Nov 30, 2022
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  14. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk EGR Fanatic

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    Measure the battery currently in your car. Also see: are the posts at the top, or?

    the odyssey website doesn’t seem to have a compatibity function, doesn’t inspire confidence.

    first gen owners here are pretty scarce??
     
    #14 Mendel Leisk, Dec 1, 2022
  15. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    how much is an oem from dealer?
     
    #15 bisco, Dec 1, 2022
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  16. peripatetic pri

    peripatetic pri Junior Member

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    great idea to call re OEM just did. looks like one side of odyssey too wide. price about same, except I'm sure dlr would charge to install. here are comparisons, below. dlr better warranty; as over 2 yrs they do pro-rated; for instance, if I'd purchased from dlr and mine 4 yrs old I would have gotten 50%.
    parts guy suggested.calling local tire stores, which am about to do.

    Interstate - AGM battery

    7.5” long

    5” wide

    8” high


    can’t b bigger i any o t dimensions



    ​
     
    #16 peripatetic pri, Dec 1, 2022
  17. CR94

    CR94 Senior Member

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    I don't know about the other generations, but wouldn't call the 3rd generation location "tough." Open hatch, lift out 3 easily accessible loose pieces, and it's exposed. The lack of acidic gunk and corrosion makes it effectively much easier to deal with than a typical used under-hood non-AGM battery.
     
    #17 CR94, Dec 1, 2022
  18. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk EGR Fanatic

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    Dealership parts department will sell you that battery too, if the concern is high labour charge. Install is “fairly” easy.
     
    #18 Mendel Leisk, Dec 1, 2022
  19. peripatetic pri

    peripatetic pri Junior Member

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    update just in case could help anyone else. I actually have a Panasonic D23 installed. Supposedly better batteries (but if buy from dlr only 12 mo. warranty). Dimension:
    Panasonic: 8.5 “ long x 7 “ side - D-23; same as my battery — height about 8” high

    panasonic - $300.23 - ea one of $20 core charge

    So the Odyssey would fit. But Autozone guy not a mechanic and there's a hose/vent that needs to be done right. A few mechanics in area won't do till next week - or week after. Dlr would charge $90 install and can't even get them on phone to haggle it down.
     
    #19 peripatetic pri, Dec 1, 2022
  20. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    sounds good, but no one will touch it for free, only under the hood. all you have to say is, 'it's under the hatch floor', and they escort you out the door.

    but seriously, a normal 12v takes 5 minutes to remove and replace the first time you do it.

    gen 1,2 and 3 prius, plus some other cars, you're talking an hour. maybe drop a nut, ground the wrench, forget the tube, and those konkeys at the parts store?

    even some dealerships advertise free install, except prius
     
    #20 bisco, Dec 1, 2022
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