Hi Everyone @ PriusChat, I have a 2 Gen Prius with 161k miles and normally gets mileage with 41 miles. last weeks I come across the red triangle all of sudden and the week before I did the oil change, tire rotation and multi point inspection check which shows no sign of issues. in addition to the triangle, I also see VSC, check engine, air etc - PFB attached images when I take this to Toyota dealer and local clay dooley in Bloomington, IL they told the same. Please check the attached pictures Now, I need to know from this group, what is going to be best solution for this scenario. I want to keep this prius car and would love to run another 50k plus miles on it but how do I get to replace the hybrid battery in this scenario. I reached out to prius king and they said no service in Bloomington, IL and i find so difficult to get one independent mechanic who I can trust in doing the right job. Toyota dealer said it’s going to be around 7k whereas other auto shop quoted for 6.5 k. I also encountered that the car not going more than 10 miles after stopping at the stop sign and i hear continuous fan kind of sound from rear side of the car. Please give your suggestions.
I think you have the break actuator problem $7,000 I don't think so It's about a between 11:00 and 1380 part cash and then 2 and 1/2 3 hours to put it on and you need something like an ap 200. To bleed the brakes and all that hell even if you need a hybrid battery after that you still will under seven grand you might have about three in parts and the rest is easy labor you need a 10 mm brake line wrench for changing the actuator gajillions of videos on YouTube and online about doing just this step by steps and all of it this is really an easy job to be honest about it other than the bleed procedure but the work not too bad $163,000 or some odd miles you're talking You're barely broken in good but time has got you here You know whatever 13 years old 12 whatever it is so usually people are in they've got 250,000 on the car or something along those lines and it's getting time to break actuators batteries things like that if the car is reasonable it is certainly worth fixing We generally have three or four of them around here certainly better to hold on to this one than be looking for generations reason 4s You're already in this one a battery in actuator and it's back to like new so unless the car is just thrashed from rushed and abuse then it is probably worth and cheaper to keep her
@Tombukt2 Thank You for the response and suggestions. Unfortunately i am not sure on the break actuator problem. I wonder why these auto mechanics did not mention that to me ! Is there a network on auto mechanics relevant to particular state here in prius chat for me connect with them and get this issue resolved ?
And it looks like by the code reader you're also out of fuel gas gasoline so I imagine the car is not going to start without fuel gasoline etc once that's rectified and you have start conditions again a lot of this may clear up generally when the actuator goes bad brake pedal should start going strange and it'll break like an old-timey military vehicle allow plenty of distance but it will stop and then usually while you're stopping in this condition you'll get a beep that will never stop It's annoying is all get out so there's always that when it gets really bad the alarm starts to come on and stay on a minute at a time which seems like a very long time when you're driving down the road and then when it does it for 2 minutes it seems like really something bad so you have no mention of that yet so you could be in the early stages.
Your main problem is one cell in one of the two modules that make up block #8 is bad (trouble codes P0A80 & P3018). You can try fixing it yourself by replacing that module or by replacing the complete battery pack with a used refurbished or new OEM HV battery. The trouble codes do NOT indicate a problem with the brake actuator.
Thank you Brain ! This helps me to understand where to start. can you also share some info on fixing the module & where to purchase these batteries ?
Do a search on YouTube and this forum for information about removing the HV battery from a Prius and replacing battery modules. If you go this route, you will probably need to replace the next bad module in 4 to 18 months. A complete replacement with a refurbished battery usually lasts from 6 months to 2 years. If you want to have the battery last for 10+ years, buy new Toyota OEM battery from the parts department for $2000 and install it yourself. There is a $1350 core charge for the OEM battery, which you will get back when you return the old battery. Good refurbished battery modules can be purchased from 2nd life battery (located in Oregon). Hybrid Battery Cell Module for Toyota Prius Camry Lexus Chevy CHRYSLER for sale online | eBay How long have you owned your Prius? Do you know the history of the HV battery?
You need to do some (a bunch) of research and have realistic expectations. Some here have "just" replaced faulty modules and had it work for 6-12 months - but that seems like that only happens 10-15% of the time. Many more have additional faults immediately or within a few weeks' time. The modules in the HV pack degrade (lose capacity) with time and use. As long as they degrade evenly, there's not much difficulty. All of the block voltages stay even (within around 0.3V) with each other under all conditions. Until there's module failure. Unless the replacement module(s) just happens to have the "exact" same level of degradation (ie, the same effective capacity and State of Charge), then block voltages will be too different at some point and throw more codes. There are MANY posts about replacing individual modules and then discharge-charge cycling all modules. Some do individual modules with hobby RC chargers. Others cycle the whole pack at once with a "grid" charger. All with various levels of success. Some people buy "refurbished" packs. Used modules that have (hopefully) been cycled, tested, and matched together before you get them. Could go 2-3 years (or 2-3 weeks). Understand any warranty because you will likely need it. You could try to get a complete set of "good" used modules from a wrecking yard. Might be good (or not). Last is a new pack. OE from Toyota is the most reliable. Expect 10+ years. Other new options seem to have questionable reliability. Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
I got this from a Friend/ known colleague at State Farm in Bloomington, IL around 110 K miles for 7K in 2018 and from his conversations, he's been mostly using it long drives kids camps and woman's drive for errands in town. I am actively looking & researching for right source who are mobile installation capable for the refurbished battery modules to get her fixed and want to drive for 2-3 years because I really like her and want to keep her for ever. So far, I have come across this service - Mobile Hybrid Battery Replacement Repair | Hybrid Battery 911 who charges for Toyota Prius Gen 2 (2004-2009) $2,499.00 with 3 year warranty - what do you think of such service ?
I don't know if they have improved, but Hybrid Battery 911 had varied and mixed reviews (as in not great reviews), once upon a time. By shopping around you could have a dealer install a brand new battery for that price. Even if it was $200 to $400 more than that, you would have a better solution when compared to the secondhand battery for which you're paying far too much. IMO, you shouldn't pay more than $1000 to $1200 for a secondhand battery.
Thank You Brain ! is there a estimated time frame secondhand battery ? nor do we get any extended warranty on these ? @All, Please let me know if your connections or anyone who has info on this in IL. Thank You !
no, there's no timeframe, that's why it's called whack a mole. you can get extended warranties from some companies, but prices can reach oem levels as well.
Hello All, need your suggestions for fixing HV battery. I got a quote from Local Toyota dealer that it would cost 3300 for HV battery including core and 700 for labor. what do you guys recommend on this ?
You have 161k miles on an 15 year old car. The battery doesn't care so much about the miles and it doesn't sound abnormal to have it require maintenance after all those years. I am a cheapskate so I see three options. 1. swap in some used cells if you don't mind pulling out the pack. It requires some basic tools, some know how, and there is downtime. You my get lucky and get some decent life on it. I was able to do that on my Prius and I went on my way for another year until I hit a deer. no battery issues up to that point. The only thing I did was replace the bad cell, and reorganize the pack to get the cells in the middle that have been dealing with excessive heat on the edges. I also soaked the fasteners in vinegar to remove any oxidation. I did not cycle or test the cells. (that requires significant time or investment. The guys in option #2 should have that setup as they will use it often) 2. Look for the local battery replacement jobber. There seems to be a whole industry of people who will swap out your battery with a refurbished one for about the cost of labor that the dealer wants to charge you for a replacement. If the person is doing a good job, they will cycle all the cells and keep track of their "health"... cells that don't meet some criteria are recycled and an assembly of somewhat evenly matched cells are made into a new pack. Your old battery's best cells are used for his next replacement. Find someone who actually cycles all the cells and picks ones that are good and evenly matched. They should offer a warranty for 6 months or a year. I would not do the commercial recyclers (green bean, etc. their cost is not justified) 3. Get that OEM toyota battery and you have peace of mind and something to sell if there was anything catastrophic to happen to the car. With paperwork, i would think that someone would give you decent money for it. If you are handy and have a good back, you can replace the battery yourself and save $700 Before doing #3 I would make darn sure you don't have brake issues or some other big $$ issue.
