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Has anyone used Abdelnabi Hybrid Battery for battery replacement?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by brccli, Jun 29, 2015.

  1. brccli

    brccli Junior Member

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    According to the dealership in Santa Fe NM, the hybrid battery on my 2005 needs replacement. The diagnostic report they provided says that one of the blocks (which is two cells?) is showing low voltage (14.25 V versus 15.5ish for the other blocks). They want $3300 plus tax, which feels like a lot for a 10 year old car with 164,000 miles on it and a small thirst for oil every thousand miles. I came across Abdelnabi Hybrid Battery while searching Prius battery replacement in New Mexico. It looks like they would come to me and replace the battery for ~$1300. Their website has a late 90s GeoCities feel to it, but they have a lot of positive reviews on Google. Has anyone here heard of them or does anyone here have recommendations for this service in northern New Mexico?
     
  2. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    The most important part in any reconditioned battery purchase is the warranty. When it fails, you need a reliable warranty. There are many threads that talk about the nightmares of buying a reconditioned batteries.

    That said, Dorman makes has a battery around the price range you quoted. They have 3 years warranty and it's a nationally recognized company offering this product. If you must choose a reconditioned battery, choose the one that has the most reliable warranty.....chances are, you'll need it.
     
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  3. davidsam

    davidsam New Member

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    Yes, we called them about 2 years ago just to get a price on a hybrid battery for our 2008 Prius. We spoke with Joe Abdelnabi, the owner of Abdelnabi Hybrid Battery. He was so helpful. He provided an excellent option to the expensive dealer price.
    He has saved us so much money. He traveled all the way from San Antonio, TX to Albuquerque, New Mexico and replaced our bad hybrid battery on our 2008 Prius with a rebuilt hybrid battery and gave us one year unlimited miles warranty. We paid $1,275.00 after we reserved our service appointment on their website. The waiting time was a little long (10 Days) but it was an excellent experience. Joe was knowledgeable, professional, and very honest.. . Our 2008 Prius runs like new since then and we are still driving it in our small business. We have saved $$$$$ on gas and if anything goes wrong with our Prius, we will be calling him again. Good luck!
    David And Samantha
     
    #3 davidsam, Jun 30, 2015
    Last edited: Jun 30, 2015
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  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    if they're coming all the way from texas, check hometown hybrids as well.
     
  5. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    2 people had to write this?
     
  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    the amazing thing is that they just joined and saw this thread.
     
  7. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    and had to write in bold, just in case we miss it
     
  8. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i'd say the whole thing is one big commercial, but the o/p has been a member for 7 years. that's a long time to plan your business strategy.
     
  9. brccli

    brccli Junior Member

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    I will say that my question is legit and I still don't know what I'm doing. I found a place in Albuquerque that will install a Dorman battery for $2500 including tax, but I'll need to limp down from Santa Fe. The dealership in Santa Fe wants $3300 plus tax. Another place in Santa Fe gave me a quote over the phone for about the same price as the dealership. I'm wary (probably a bit unnecessarily) of the third-party or refurbished batteries. I guess my real problem is that I don't know whether to spend anything on the car. As I said, it has about 164,000 miles on it burns a bit of oil. Do I want to spend $3000 getting it running again? I've gone back and forth a few times. It's been a great car and has almost no other repairs in 10 years. In the absence of the oil leak, I would definitely replace the battery and perhaps even use the dealer. Any advice or experience would be greatly appreciated. Perhaps I should make a new thread soliciting advice on the general problem.

    Also, I agree that the bolded response from a brand new member doesn't make me feel super comfortable.
     
    #9 brccli, Jul 1, 2015
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  10. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    you don't need another thread. a new battery is expensive if you don't plan to keep the car for awhile.

    if you read through the refurbished battery threads here, you will find a lot of problems. so the warranty is important, but also a pain if you have to keep having it replaced.

    i'm sure there are people who have good success with refurbished, but only a few report here, and we have no way of knowing what the numbers are, or the quality of the recommendations.

    unfortunately, you have to make your decision without a complete understanding of the possible ramifications.

    personally, the refurbished route isn't bad for a diy'er, but iw ould either buy new, or trade up to a newer year with lower miles.
     
  11. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    If you have the $3000 to spend, I would spend it on a new battery. Forget what the 10 year old car is worth because you can't buy a good running reliable car with your knowledge of it's entire history for $3000.
     
    #11 JC91006, Jul 1, 2015
    Last edited: Jul 1, 2015
  12. brccli

    brccli Junior Member

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    Regarding Hometown Hybrids, I asked for a quote and was told they won't come to Santa Fe.

    I would like to keep the car for a few more years and I agree with the comment on trying to buy a reliable $3000 car. How worried should I be about the oil leak becoming a larger problem?
     
    #12 brccli, Jul 1, 2015
    Last edited by a moderator: Jul 1, 2015
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  13. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    I wouldn't worry too much about the oil usage, it happens when the car's mileage increases. Just monitor the oil usage and add as needed. Many members here do that regularly.......4 of my Prius cars use oil but they run fine.

    If you decide to go with the new battery from Toyota, call Toyota corporate and ask them to offer a good will warranty on the battery. It wouldn't hurt to ask and many members get assistance in the replacement cost. The worse that can happen is if they say "no assistance", which is where you are now.
     
    #13 JC91006, Jul 1, 2015
    Last edited by a moderator: Jul 1, 2015
  14. brccli

    brccli Junior Member

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    Thanks for the replies. Over the course of the day, I've been leaning toward doing the Toyota repair despite the expense. I might have used up my goodwill though. A couple of years ago, I had a problem with a wiring harness related to the air bag and, after a bit cajoling, Toyota and the dealership each chipped in a third of the cost saving me $1200. I wish I would have saved my charm for now.
     
  15. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    Do it again and see what they say. At least we'll know what happens the 2nd time around......you can be our guinea pig.

    Maybe you can have someone else call it in for you.
     
  16. SageBrush

    SageBrush Senior Member

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    Is the oil a leak or a consumption problem ?
    If the latter it usually increases with time but does not prevent you from driving the car.

    Can you learn to replace yourself ? It is not hard. Just watch the Dorman video

    My advice: Buy the Dorman through NAPA auto store for about $1300 after verifying that they allow local free return of the battery if warranty replacement is required, and install it yourself.

    A fantastic PriusChat member named Seilerts is from Santa Fe but I have not seen him post for a while. He had a battery refurb business going for a while. I would trust his advice -- whatever it was.
     
  17. brccli

    brccli Junior Member

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    It's an oil consumption problem that I've been aware for more than a year. I haven't noticed it getting worse, but I haven't paid close attention. I just check it every 1000 miles and add a quart. I've been content to do this as long as everything else was OK. What is your experience with this problem?

    I'm not the greatest DIYer. I can usually get things done, but only with lots of mental anguish. I've seen the videos and they do look tantalizingly (and probably deceptively) easy. I think my preference would be to pay to get it done.

    I'll search for Seilerts and maybe send a message. Thanks.
     
  18. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    if you get a battery from Dorman, their website has a very good video on how to swap out the battery. Almost a 2 year old that can lift a hundred pounds can do it.
     
  19. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Even though I'd love to DIY a hybrid battery swap, I think I'd let an installer, sanctioned by the battery installer, do the job. Because the install is guaranteed by them, no finger pointing if there's missing parts, damage. At around $300, it's not too bad. And I'd be almost guaranteed to blow out my back, if I did it, lol.
     
  20. SageBrush

    SageBrush Senior Member

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    I offered to help him swap the battery.
    So now he has a couple of choices.

    I may have found contact info for Seilerts:

    Scott Eilerts
    High Desert Hybrid
    2866 Cooks Rd, Santa Fe, NM 87507
    (505) 471-3387

    High Desert Hybirds LLC - About - Google+