Revived my 2002 Prius battery.....

Thanks Bob, I take it as a compliment. I wish I could say I have all the answers but I'm still learning as well. I wish I had a better scan tool, that could help me diagnose issues better however with a little trial/error and research I've learned a lot from the PChat and other HV forums.

 

10/19/14. I have an '05 Prius with most modules reading aprx 7.5 volts but 2 are low (1 at 7.40 and another at 7.48) I purchased 2 IMAX B6 chargers and need to know the exact settings for the discharge rate. Can you help?

 

I recently purchased a 2001 Prius, that was dead. Had to replace the Aux. battery, and rebuild the HV battery pack, to get it going again.
The initial error was the red triangle of death, and the code was P3030, High Voltage short. I disassembled the pack, and found ten dead cells, and several under 7 volts. I found a guy selling Gen 2 cells, at a bargain price. So then I replaced all 38 cells from newer totaled Priuses.
I checked them all individually, which they all where above 7.5 volts. I felt nervous about connecting them all together to balance them.
So then I just put them back into the Battery Tray, got most of them bolted in place, threw it in the car, and it started right up, with 60% charge reading on the battery. Let it run for a few minutes, and it came up to 80%. I drove it around, and it was getting 48 MPG, and the Battery never went below 80%. It seems to like the new Gen 2 cells. I am so excited to be driving a Prius, even if it is a 2001, I am loving it!!!
I wanted to add another battery pack in parallel with the Stock Battery Pack, but after much reading, I don't think its worth doing.
So I will try to upgrade to a Gen 2 Prius as soon as possible. My Prius is going up for sale, once I get the body work finished up, and add the iPod adapter thingy. I'm thinking it should be worth $4000.00 to $4500.00. Am I asking too much or is this reasonable?
Love the forum!!!
Dave in So Cal

 

Higher mileage gen2 are getting cheaper, you can find them in the $5000 or less range. Might be hard to sell at $4500

 

How many miles will the Gen2 gas motor go?
I will give it a try a at $4500 after all work is done, and come down if I get no takers.

 

The irony is this $4500 Prius can easily get 52 MPG with a reliability risk as ordinary moving parts (i.e., wheel bearings, steering linkages) can fail, randomly. This is a great buy for someone with back-up transportation and the ability to 'turn a wrench.' Sad to say, the low price is also attractive to those with limited resources and skills.

Bob Wilson

 

Well today I test drove an or Prius with 218,000 miles on it, the body was banged up. Cracked front, and rear bumper, and drivers side rear door was banged up, the Battery was not very good, the engine sound like it was rattling inside. It never shut the motor off the whole time driving it, and it was averaging 35 MPG. Then he tells me it needs brakes also. The AC was not very cold, I just had bad feeling about, like no power.
Any ideas? I offered him 3500 for it.
Dave

 

What year? Sounds like quite a few issues. Why did you offer $3500, what was the asking price?

 

Its a 2005, and he was asking $4500, and also the VSC light was on, which is the Vehicle Stability Control Warning.
He showed me something that said, it is to keep the car from sliding. While we went on the road test, he wanted me to drive it slow, and not use the AC. He started getting very nervous during the road test. Which made me feel he is hiding something, or worried something will go wrong.
I thought it might be worth it for $3500, and planning on replacing the gas motor, and rebuilding the HV Battery.
Dave

 

If your gut tells you something is wrong, then you should avoid it. A hybrid could be very difficult to troubleshoot. The AC problem could cost you $1000. A perfectly working 218k mile GenII should be around $4500. Getting it at $3500 isn't going to do you any favors but give you a headache you can't profit from

 

Ok then, I will keep looking for another one, without so many problems.
Thanks for your advice !
Dave

 

I would run away as fast as I can as that car has not been taken care of and could possibly eat your lunch. To give you a base with my 2002 I bought it a year ago and 20,000 miles ago as it now has 162,000 miles I have done nothing but the inverter pump, ATX oil change, and engine oil changes. The only thing it still needs is struts and the AC does not work yet and I paid $2,300. I consistently got 49-51 mpg this summer. Keep looking and the right one will show up. One thing I have learned as that older cars that have not been cared for have lots of hidden things that need attention. Try to find one from a private seller and ask for maintenance records.
TomK

 

Hello Gen 1 newbie,
Could you please share where you got your 38 Gen 2 cells from ? I also want to fix my 2001 Prius with Gen 2 modules .
I would appreciate your help.
Thanks a lot.
Eddy 2014.

 

Eddy 2014,
I found a guy that parts out Priuses, locally, he does not use eBay. I have to drive 150 miles one way to meet up with him.
He is difficult to connect with, he gets them sporadic, but it was worth all the trouble for me. I will be selling some Gen 2 cells on ebay, after I get a set for a Gen 2, that I plan on acquiring soon.

Dave

 

Kutch1,
I am loving my Lil 2001 Prius, its fast, and economical, most everything works good on it. I'm getting around 46 MPG, but I drive it hard, in the morning traffic is between 70, and 85MPH, then on my way home, its congested in several areas. I do drive it aggressively also, its alot of fun. I'm working on making it look nicer. But Sure would like to add another battery pack in parallel to a Gen 2, and do the EV mode thingy.
But yes the one I saw was all beat up, and obviously neglected. The motor looked horrible, rusty, dirty, and noisy. bald tires, shot brakes, scored rotors. poor AC. and that VSC warning light on. And he probably reset the computer before I got there.
I think a good maintenance record is a great thing to look for in another car. I only deal with private sellers, this kid was very young, and probably why it got abused.
Just did my ATX fluid change last Friday night, I'm a real party animal!
The old fluid was very dirty, as expected, who knows when it was changed last if at all. But I did not get the recommended Toyota WS special gold oil. I went with two quarts of Royal Purple synthetic ATF, and two quarts of Valvoline synthetic ATF. So far I can't notice a difference, but im sure the trans is happier.

Dave

 

Well, here's your chance. If I had the money I'd jump all over this Craigs List offer: Electric vehicle battery upgrade kit Enginer - $500 (Steilacoom)

 

Wow thats a great deal!!! too bad its so far away, like 1500 miles away. Itd be one heck of a road trip!!! Maybe my buddy with a Gen 2 would go for it. Thanks for the info, I will let him know about it.

 

Was it a scam? Gone now.

 

I don't think so, it was up on Craigs List for over a week, or so.