HV Battery Failing

[Patrick Wong]

Originally Posted by lunchboxjo

... However, If I pay the $3k to have the warranty I'm covered for another 8 years or 100k miles put on the HV. I'm really confused.

This statement might be causing part of your confusion and indecision. In fact, if you pay $3K to replace the traction battery, the new battery will be warranted for one year, under the same warranty that applies to any new part installed by the Toyota dealer.

[Sandy]

i have a new traction battery if anyone needs it, if anyone need it and can afford one please send me a message

[rfelley]

Don't know if I'm breaking the rules by saying this, but I have a 2005 recent wreck in my shop (my daughter ran it into a power pole Aug. 25, 2009). I've been concerned that the HV battery is wasting away by not being in use. I'd be willing to make a reasonable deal just to see it get back into service. Dial me up and let's talk. Rich (503) 812-2229.

[lunchboxjo]

I'll give you a call Rich, but I'm not sure if I need the battery just yet...

the dealership told me I have two dead cells due to the car only running on the battery, since the throttle is stuck.
I don't know if I should believe this or not so I'll follow the symptoms... so the dealership wants 4k to replace the throttle body and battery and Mr. Wong was right, Toyota will warranty the new battery with only one year manufacturer's warranty ___bummer__...but I'll just DIY it and see where it takes me.

Does anyone know how to clear codes on a 2001 Prius?

[Patrick Wong]

Originally Posted by lunchboxjo

I'll give you a call Rich, but I'm not sure if I need the battery just yet...

the dealership told me I have two dead cells due to the car only running on the battery, since the throttle is stuck.
I don't know if I should believe this or not so I'll follow the symptoms... so the dealership wants 4k to replace the throttle body and battery and Mr. Wong was right, Toyota will warranty the new battery with only one year manufacturer's warranty ___bummer__...but I'll just DIY it and see where it takes me.

Does anyone know how to clear codes on a 2001 Prius?

Note that Rich's car is 2G. That battery will not work on Classic since the Classic battery has 38 modules while 2G has 28 modules. Now, if you get two 2G batteries with 56 modules, then in principle you may be able to pick 38 of those and install in the Classic battery case, subject to possible issues with SOC charges between the modules coming out of the two battery assemblies. Another poster recently did this and it seemed to work well although he may have had to work on the sheet metal enclosure for fit reasons.

The reason that this makes sense for Classic is because Classic salvage batteries are not easy to find and are relatively expensive, while 2G salvage batteries can be purchased for around $400 each (or less) plus shipping. Why pay $1K for a Classic battery that is ~8 years old?

You can clear most codes by disconnecting the 12V battery negative terminal for several minutes.

Before you replace the throttle body I suggest that you try cleaning the dark gunk out of the throttle body interior and throttle plate. You can rotate the spring-loaded throttle shaft by hand when the car is IG-OFF, so that you can clean the throttle plate underside.

Maybe the correlation between the throttle body and the traction battery is as follows: the gasoline engine refused to start because of a throttle body problem. After repeated attempts to start the engine, the traction battery became depleted and two modules failed. This is just a guess.

[magruder]

So I returned my old battery to the dealer, and they are going to pay me $150 for it. I'll believe it when I see the check, but I got a written promise from the Service Foreman. That brings my battery cost down to $250, and I still have the computer to sell. The newer battery is still working great and seems to have brought my mpgs up about 2mpg.

[Politburo]

Doesn't Toyota provide a $200 refund for old batteries?

[magruder]

Originally Posted by Politburo

Doesn't Toyota provide a $200 refund for old batteries?

That is true, but the dealership wants to make something on the deal, so they keep $50. At least that is what my closest dealer does.

(Edit: Well I thought you were in Colorado, must have been reading my own stats)
Since you are in Colorado, I'll put in a plug for Grove Toyota on Broadway in Littleton. I thought I would have to ask for the fee, but they offered it right up. I have had good experiences with them in the past as well. I had a Land Cruiser and both keys stopped working, so I had to go in to get originals made off the VIN number. Grove made two new keys for me, and charged me $0 for it.