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2005 failing hybrid battery questions

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by 2005dmny, May 23, 2015.

  1. 2005dmny

    2005dmny Junior Member

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    first-time poster here (after a bit of searching and scanning of existing posts).

    2005 Prius purchased new, now 10.5 years old, about 93,000 miles driven.

    Earlier this week, the dreaded Red Triangle and the car-with-! symbols suddenly came on, usually accompanied by the odd !-in-a-circle-in-parentheses symbol. (The Check Engine light has been on and off inconsistently for years with no clear cause or operating problems.)

    Car has had almost zero trouble over the years, and little service beyond oil changes, tires, and other routine stuff. We replaced 12V when it died a few years back.

    Trustworthy local service guy got the code to replace coolant flow control, which was done yesterday.

    But that didn't settle the matter. Yesterday's code, after the repair, was the dreaded P0A80, and I suspect a rapidly failing hybrid battery. (Car doesn't always shut down at red lights, battery charge indicator fluctuates much more quickly than usual from full green to only a couple bars, power and braking occasionally feels uncertain, etc.)

    My guy has no experience with replacing a Prius traction battery, so I need to deal with this elsewhere, somehow. Since this is likely a $2,800 new part plus labor, I'm looking for advice/warnings as follows:

    1) How safe is it to continue driving the car in this state, and for how long? I've remained at local-road speeds within the hilly confines within a few miles of home since the indicators first came on. What limitations, if any, should I follow for use of the car until battery is replaced (assuming that's what's needed)?

    2) Does anyone have either a hybrid specialist or a (relatively) trusted dealer service department to recommend near 10706 zip code?

    3) Since I'm just outside the years (but far from the miles) for battery warranty (10/150,000, I think, in NY), what are my chances of any help from Toyota?

    NOTE: While I admire and respect all the detailed info I've encountered here, I am *not* a DIYer, and have neither the time, tools, experience, knowledge, or inclination either to diagnose or to repair this vehicle myself. But I need to keep it running for a few more years. So answers that recognize those conditions would be most welcome.
     
  2. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    I think you have a very good chance at getting a replacement assistance from Toyota. You are just out of warranty!!! Call Toyota headquarters and see what they can offer you. You're looking for a "goodwill warranty"

    I don't suggest you drive the car in this state, it could leave you stranded.
     
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  3. 2005dmny

    2005dmny Junior Member

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    Not driving at all *is* an option -- but not the preferable one. It would be better to have just enough confidence to a) run a few local errands; and b) be able to *drive* to whoever is going to diagnose/fix, rather than have to cough up for a tow.

    Have read that it might be better to have the dealer plead with Toyota, rather than doing so myself. Any thoughts on that?
     
  4. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    You have to get it diagnosed either way, so visiting dealer first and having them call Toyota for you also works.

    If you disconnect the 12v battery and reset the car, you can probably drive it to the dealer but there may not be a failure code when you get there. After you reset the car, the failure has to be detected by the car again
     
  5. 2005dmny

    2005dmny Junior Member

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    Car drives as is, without a code reset. Just not clear how much longer that will be the case. ;-(

    I'm ignorant about how fast the clock is ticking (if it's ticking at all). Worried a little about stranding, but more about whether I'm risking further damage to one or more components just by operating the vehicle minimally on local roads with minor grades at local speeds.

    Hate to clear existing codes, but might hold my breath and attempt to disconnect the 12v if -- and only if -- doing so were a sure-fire way to slow down/extend that "clock."

    Also still hoping someone on this board who's a whole lot closer to me than LA will jump in and recommend a trusted reliable competent service location for this work. Googling hasn't gotten me much closer than 50+ miles, and across a major river at highway speeds to boot. I'm sure envious of those posters who've had skilled servicepeople make house calls and do the battery swap in the driveway. ;-)
     
  6. Texas Hybrid Batteries

    Texas Hybrid Batteries Senior Member

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    I recondition and replace batteries in North Texas so can't be of any help to you. There are really only 3 companies aside from my own that I would recommend that I know build good aftermarket refurbished batteries. Dorman/Reinvolt, Greentec, and Falcon, luckily for you Falcon's shop is less than 20 miles away. Fight Toyota for a full or partial warranty replacement but if that doesn't work out call Mark at Falcon Hybrid Solutions. He will definitely be your local "guru". You can drive the car and it won't damage anything, the damage is already done. I'v never had a customer stranded in a Gen 2 due to battery failure, it'll just run poorly and may go to limp mode (limit speed to 35-40 mph). If it's driving ok don't bother clearing the codes. Just keep a 10 mm wrench with you in case you have unhook the battery to reset the computer.

    Stay away from the Craigslist batteries, $500 with a 3 month warranty is joke. They are doing single module replacements with no conditioning or they are stolen. Hope some of that help, good luck with your car.

    Matt
     
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  7. 2005dmny

    2005dmny Junior Member

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    Thanks, Matt. While the car is starting to feel a bit more "off" each time it leaves the driveway, I'm somewhat reassured to hear you say I'm probably not making matters worse with short, local runs.

    I'd never have gone for a Craigslist-type solution. And I'll look into Falcon to see where they're at, and what they offer.

    Meanwhile: Does anyone have the proper number for "Toyota corporate" regarding "goodwill warranty" communication? I have to say Toyota's website (for obvious reasons) doesn't make that clear, and none of the threads I've read about that topic offer a specific contact point. I suppose I can just dial in somehow and see where they steer me, but if you know . . . well, that might save some time on the phone.

    Eager for any other input from folks here on PC, and a happy holiday weekend to all in the meantime.
     
  8. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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  9. 2005dmny

    2005dmny Junior Member

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    Thanks for the link, Patrick. I'd seen that page, but wasn't sure if that seemingly all-purpose contact point was the right one to use.
     
  10. wjtracy

    wjtracy Senior Member

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    There are some contacts given in other posts but another approach is to go thru a good high volume dealer in good standing with Toyoya for the contact. The dealer has the incentive to get the shop work.
     
  11. wjtracy

    wjtracy Senior Member

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    Here a very similar case to yours. He was 2 months over warranty paid $467 for new batt

    However, option 5 does not seem to work now...maybe yiou could ask for assist.
     
    #11 wjtracy, May 24, 2015
    Last edited: May 24, 2015
  12. 2005dmny

    2005dmny Junior Member

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    Thanks, wjtracy, for that encouraging example (and its embedded contact info for Toyota).

    I'll be reaching out to them ASAP Tuesday morning. (I figure the long holiday weekend is probably not the most auspicious time to call, much as I'd like to hustle this along.)
     
  13. wjtracy

    wjtracy Senior Member

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    There have been other contact numbers given.
    I have started a new thread to try to capture these cases:
    HV Battery Goodwill Warranty Listing - Toyota Prius USA | PriusChat
     
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  14. wjtracy

    wjtracy Senior Member

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    Well that number did not seem have Option 5 so you may need to ask for assist
     
  15. 2005dmny

    2005dmny Junior Member

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    Noted. If and when I get through to someone useful at Toyota corporate, I'll be sure to pass that number along here.
     
  16. 2005dmny

    2005dmny Junior Member

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    UPDATE: Began reaching out to three local dealerships this AM, and exchanged an initial email with Falcon. Only one dealership got back to me so far. Ran a few local errands.

    But about an hour ago, I drove out briefly (about a mile, max) to an errand downhill from our house. Was still running OK -- right up until I turned onto an uphill curve near home.

    Damn near didn't make it. Literally crept up to the top (maybe fifty yards). Battery bars dropped from all-green two only two, then only one. Paused, then restarted. The car would barely move forward anytime there was even a slight uphill incline (no sweat on downhill or level road).

    And I noticed the display, while still functioning, no longer shows *any* flow either to, or from, the battery. I've never seen that before.

    I'm pretty sure I should not take this car on the road again, and should probably figure on having it towed to wherever I decide to fix it.

    Ugh.

    P.S. The dealership I spoke with on the phone (as it happens, the one where I bought this car new almost 10 years and 5 months ago) estimated about $3,240 parts and labor to replace the hybrid battery, estimating the battery alone at about $2,600. That sounds consistent with at least some other reports I've read about dealership costs for this work.

    Haven't reached out to Toyota corporate yet, so whether I can get a "goodwill warranty" allowance for this remains undetermined.

    While I sweat this out, any other input would be welcome, in light of this afternoon's sudden decline (and considering any of the other info I've provided earlier in this thread).
     
  17. wjtracy

    wjtracy Senior Member

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    It's a decent cost quote for the un-assisted dealer-install case.
    There is a rare chance the problem is a clogged batt cooling fan...in any case you might want to get that checked but may add a little$
     
  18. ericbecky

    ericbecky Hybrid Battery Hero

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    Given the way you describe things, it is very likely that the car will die and leave you completely stranded if you continue to drive it this way.
    I agree that you should work with Toyota about possible new battery.

    Otherwise a good refurbished battery from a reputable company may be in order.

    I'll be in and out with customers (doing some fun custom MPG hacking tomorrow!) but feel free to call me if you want to chat. I'd be happy to share my 2 cents worth.
     
  19. 2005dmny

    2005dmny Junior Member

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    Will certainly check out the fan. One thing I can say for certain: I don't recall ever noticing that fan until this past week and a half, but it's been running hard and loud since at least Friday, after the coolant flow control was replaced.

    Of course, today all that cheap plastic under the car started to detach and hang down again. It never rains but it pours . . . :-(
     
  20. 2005dmny

    2005dmny Junior Member

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    Thanks, Eric. I'll be making the rounds with the dealerships after I pick up a rental tomorrow and finish a long-standing unrelated appointment. Don't know if I'll hear more from Falcon or not. Much will depend on whether Toyota is in that "goodwill" frame of mind after official dealership diagnosis. Mostly just irked about having to tow the dang thing wherever.