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P0A80 2006 Prius with 154k, Need Module Supplier

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by J Skyler, Oct 6, 2014.

  1. J Skyler

    J Skyler Junior Member

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    Hi All,

    I'm located in San Diego. I got P0A80 last Friday (10/3) and I'm going to try to get Toyota to replace the battery first due to the 150k California warranty, but if that fails I'm ready to tear it down, swap in a good module or two, balance, equalize and put it all back together.

    Two questions:

    1) Has anybody had any luck with a factory replacement just slightly out of warranty?
    2) Where/who is a good source for modules?

    For a little background, I've been getting faster and faster swings in SOC since I bought it in January of 2013, and when it's heat soaked (parked in the sun during an outing) it'll show very low charge no matter what the initial charge was before it was parked.

    Let me know if you have any questions. Here are the posts I've been looking at:

    PDF for error code
    http://priuschat.com/attachments/2004-prius-%E2%80%93-preliminary-release-rm1075u-dtc-p0a80-pdf.53643/
    Post about dead battery. Most seem to say
    http://priuschat.com/threads/p0a80-dead-battery-three-questions.93515/#axzz3FEjXzDVf
    Post on guy who rebuilt battery
    http://priuschat.com/index.php?threads/Gen-II-Prius-Individual-Battery-Module-Replacement.125588/
    Post on gen II rebuild. Had some good resources from Texas hybrid solutions or something.
    http://priuschat.com/threads/gen-ii-prius-battery-solution-140-000.145220/#post-2069945

    Kind regards,
    Skyler
     
  2. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    Depending on how good of a customer you are with Toyota, they may or may not help out in the battery replacement. If there are documented issues with the hv battery from January 2013, you may have a better chance at a FREE replacement.

    However my belief is that Toyota would help out if you ask for a "goodwill" warranty. Even if they agree to pay for half of the cost (still should be over $2000). It might be the best deal in terms of getting a reliable repair for the next 8 years of this car.
     
  3. J Skyler

    J Skyler Junior Member

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    Thanks JC91006. I'm fairly confident that I can do the individual module replacement work well, and I think it'd be fun. Do you have any idea what the reliability difference is between a module replacement (assuming a high quality module) and a factory replacement? I figure with the chargers, modules and other things I might need, I'll spend about 500$ initially and 100$ thereafter, so even if it only lasted a couple of years, it would take 16 replacements to equal one factory replacement at half off.

    Am I thinking about that right?

    Skyler
     
  4. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    You are not thinking of the high risk of taking the battery apart that many times. It's not changing a battery from your remote control car. It's high voltage and any errors from amateurs can cause damage to yourself or to your car.

    Then you have to think of the down time of not having your car. Possibly breaking down in the middle of a long business trip to Las Vegas, etc.

    If you purchased the new battery from Toyota at Half price, you have the paperwork to back up this purchase. When it's time to sell your car, your car would be worth much more than any other 2006 with similar mileage. The price of the new battery will eventually pay for itself.
     
  5. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    There is no real answer to how long a rebuilt battery will last. Your battery pack is from 2006, so all those modules are the same age. If you change 1 out, 27 of them will still remain and will continue aging and get weaker as your car gets older.

    A new battery from Toyota will last you a similar time frame than what you experienced, around 8 years or more.

    If you are comfortable rebuilding and want to try it, I have good modules that I can sell you for $40. But I don't recommend it....new is much better and much more reliable.
     
  6. J Skyler

    J Skyler Junior Member

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    Good points.

    Understood that we're dealing with a 200-220VDC battery and not a 1.5VDC AA. While hybrid systems are new to me, I'm not an amateur car mechanic and I'm comfortable around high voltage AC systems. I think most compelling is the documented replacement's effect on the resale price. I'll work with Toyota to see what I can get and report back.
     
  7. ericbecky

    ericbecky Hybrid Battery Hero

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    Skyler,
    If you plan to do this, you are definitely taking the right attitude and insight.
    You will be sort of playing whack a mole, but as long as you know that going into it, so what.
    Realistically, you could end up replacing 16 modules over time.
    You will learn something in the process. Do it until it stops being fun.

    You cannot mix older modules with brand new ones. The car won't like it.

    I have some modules around here. I sell them in pairs. As you have pointed out, over time you will need more than just one. I'll put the voltage close to what you have to save you some time balancing. Contact me off list.

    And for the charger/balancer, are you doing the entire pack at once?
     
  8. J Skyler

    J Skyler Junior Member

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    Thanks for the offer JC91006.

    Thanks ericbecky. I'll go down this road with Toyota a bit and post back here depending on what they say. I was planning on buying enough chargers to do the whole pack in 4 or 5 days. I think that's about 8-10 chargers. Do you recommend something different?
     
  9. ericbecky

    ericbecky Hybrid Battery Hero

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    I would get a whole pack charger from the PriusChat shop.
    Hybrid Battery Preventative Maintenance Grid Charger for 2004-2009 Toyota Prius - PriusChat Shop
    You can do the whole pack in one day, all in one shot, plus the purchase helps support PriusChat.

    The bonus is that you'll have the harness installed in the car for ongoing future charging/balancing.
    Couple it with the purchase of a discharger and this may help you keep you from having to disassemble the pack as frequently.
     
  10. J Skyler

    J Skyler Junior Member

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    Just an update on this...

    I've been talking to Toyota for about two weeks. There is a possibility of assistance, but I don't know how much. I hope to have an answer soon.

    Regards,
    Skyler
     
  11. SageBrush

    SageBrush Senior Member

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    You can buy a new, OEM battery for ~ $2000. You would have to swap the electronics to the new case and install yourself.
    Or if you want to get fancy, buy a Gen3 battery for the same amount. Added labor to swap the modules to the old case.
     
  12. ldlau

    ldlau Junior Member

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    Hi Skylar, I posted earlier this week as well when I got an P0A80 error code and need a battery replacement I have 156K for my 2007 and have talked to the general manager where I took my car in San Bruno. He was not able to offer me any assistance, but am now trying the Toyota headquarters. Can you tell me who you contacted? Having problems getting through to the proper people to ask if they could assist. Will keep my fingers crossed for you too. How many miles do you have on your car?
     
  13. J Skyler

    J Skyler Junior Member

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    Good news to report!

    Toyota offered to pay for the parts if I pay for the labor. That brings my grand total to $483, which I think is a heck of a deal for an OEM replacement with records attached to the VIN.

    Good to know!

    Hi ldlau, if you look at the title of my post, I've got 154k on the odometer. I called Toyota customer care at 1 (800) 331-4331. Follow the phone tree to speak to a customer representative. I pressed 4 then 2. It helps immensely if you have a relationship with your local dealer, as Toyota will call them to arrange for the service.

    Good luck!

    Skyler
     
    SageBrush likes this.
  14. J Skyler

    J Skyler Junior Member

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    Also, side note. My wife and I had a "passionate discussion" about how the dealer was just trying to jerk us around when they needed me to have it officially diagnosed for $115. I scored major points when I told her we were getting the replacement for about $500.

    Me: 1, her: I've stopped counting.

    Skyler
     
  15. SageBrush

    SageBrush Senior Member

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    For your sake, I hope she does not read PriusChat.
     
  16. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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  17. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    :LOL::LOL:
     
  18. ldlau

    ldlau Junior Member

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  19. ldlau

    ldlau Junior Member

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    Congrats Skylar. Had gotten through earlier from a number someone posted on my question. Waiting back to hear their decision. I hope it goes as well as you. I had to pay 183 for a diagnostic check, so I think you got lucky with the $115. Thanks for your help :) ldlau
     
    #19 ldlau, Oct 24, 2014
    Last edited: Nov 21, 2014
  20. ldlau

    ldlau Junior Member

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