Dealer says I need a new hv battery

[talljimbo]

Here are the comments from dealer: found both diagnostic trouble codes p3000 (battery control system), p3006 (batteries levels are unusually different), p3016 (battery block 6 becomes weak), & p3018 (battery block 8 becomes weak) all stored. found hv battery block 6 is unusually different. recommend replace hv battery, then clear codes, and recheck operation. repair estimate is $2,974.00.

Okay, well, not happy about this. Has 122,000 miles on it. Other symptoms are high rpms after driving for 20 minutes, very difficult making it up steep inclines. Break generators don't kick in (it seems). Shifting into B does not slow vehicle.

Any suggestions? I guess I'll go back to dealer and get new battery.

[icarus]

Originally Posted by talljimbo

Here are the comments from dealer: found both diagnostic trouble codes p3000 (battery control system), p3006 (batteries levels are unusually different), p3016 (battery block 6 becomes weak), & p3018 (battery block 8 becomes weak) all stored. found hv battery block 6 is unusually different. recommend replace hv battery, then clear codes, and recheck operation. repair estimate is $2,974.00.

Okay, well, not happy about this. Has 122,000 miles on it. Other symptoms are high rpms after driving for 20 minutes, very difficult making it up steep inclines. Break generators don't kick in (it seems). Shifting into B does not slow vehicle.

Any suggestions? I guess I'll go back to dealer and get new battery.

The one thing that I have heard about,, that perhaps someone with more experience can confirm,,, the cause of most battery replacement is due to bad connection between the cells. I suggest you find someone who can check the individual cells and the connecting cables.

Icarus

[Flying White Dutchman]

you got a 2001 so maybe its the bad cell connections (corroted busbars ) that is the problem

and also the car is a gen 1 prius with a 7 years old battery...
just maybe now you will see some more poeple replacing them..

thx for the DTC code.
i guess this will be the same for the gen 2 prius... P3019 will mean block 9 i guess
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found both diagnostic trouble codes p3000 (battery control system), p3006 (batteries levels are unusually different), p3016 (battery block 6 becomes weak), & p3018 (battery block 8 becomes weak) all stored
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[john1701a]

Were you the only owner? Did you ever continue driving after running out of gas? And did you have the preventative maintenance done to protect the cells from damage later?

Knowing information like that could at least make the decision easier. Deep discharging and acid leak both shorten the life of the battery-pack. Other factors like routinely exposing it to +100F temperatures and climbing up mountains do too.
.

[Patrick Wong]

Originally Posted by talljimbo

Here are the comments from dealer: found both diagnostic trouble codes p3000 (battery control system), p3006 (batteries levels are unusually different), p3016 (battery block 6 becomes weak), & p3018 (battery block 8 becomes weak) all stored. found hv battery block 6 is unusually different. recommend replace hv battery, then clear codes, and recheck operation. repair estimate is $2,974.00.

Okay, well, not happy about this. Has 122,000 miles on it. Other symptoms are high rpms after driving for 20 minutes, very difficult making it up steep inclines. Break generators don't kick in (it seems). Shifting into B does not slow vehicle.

Any suggestions? I guess I'll go back to dealer and get new battery.

The diagnosis seems reasonable. One possibility is to find an independent who can help you install a salvage battery. You've got at least two excellent choices in the SF Bay Area:
Art's Automotive
Luscious Garage | Hybrid Specialists

However Classic salvage battery prices are fairly high due to high demand (~$900 or more incl shipping) and who knows how long that replacement will last.
eBay - prius battery, Parts Accessories, Cars Trucks - buy and sell on eBay Motors

Another possibility is to buy two 2G salvage batteries and take the best 38 modules from those assemblies to populate your Classic battery case. That might be a better long-term solution.

[talljimbo]

Thanks everyone! I called Carolyn Coquillette - Luscious Garage. Carolyn was very kind and knowledgeable! She sent me a link to her blog: http://lusciousgarage.com/blog/

In the final analysis, she suggested I just get the new battery from the dealer (Berkeley) - $2974 minus $394 discount = $2580 + tax.

Although, I'm very interested in - Replace the battery modules with used ones from the Gen 2 Prius (see her link for more info). I'm waiting for her rock bottom price.

As far as me having contributing to the problem - probably, although I did buy it used 3 years ago and I don't know what the previous owner did.

From your forum - I will not wait for the blinking bar on the gas indicator to blink. I do live up a very steep hill in the San Leandro hills. I always go up slowly - 20 - 25 mph... maybe I'll just punch it a bit more and go 30 mph... will that help protect the battery, motor, engine - less stress?

Thanks again!
Jim

[talljimbo]

Thanks Tony - just add index.php/blog/gen_1_prius_battery_failure/ to website.

[Patrick Wong]

Originally Posted by talljimbo

As far as me having contributing to the problem - probably, although I did buy it used 3 years ago and I don't know what the previous owner did.

From your forum - I will not wait for the blinking bar on the gas indicator to blink. I do live up a very steep hill in the San Leandro hills. I always go up slowly - 20 - 25 mph... maybe I'll just punch it a bit more and go 30 mph... will that help protect the battery, motor, engine - less stress?

Hi Jim,

I live at 1,100 ft elevation and have had two traction battery failures (covered under warranty) on my 2001 Prius and 2006 HiHy. I agree that frequent elevation changes will not help battery longevity. However I don't think that it will really matter if you choose to drive at 20 mph vs. 30 mph.

Pls let us know how you decide to have your car repaired.

[Flying White Dutchman]

Patrick Wong
with elevation you mean the long way down and up where you recharge the battery to full (70%) and heat it up a lot and goining uphill where you need a lot of assist

or just because you life really high and it got to to with pressure and stuff:

[Patrick Wong]

Hi FWD,

I think the issue is that elevation changes require greater drivetrain loads; hence the traction battery cycles up & down in charge to a greater extent compared to Prius that live a flatlander existence...