Need replacement battery in Los Angeles

now we know who's stealing all the batteries in frisco.

 

No he didn't probably strip it out of someone elses prius He rebuilds them

 

mmm-hmm, sure. brian.

 

HA HA HA HA This is Inland Empire NOT frisco.

 

Sounds like a plant for Brian. You just paid him days ago, and you forget how much? Details are sparse and too general. The poor sap, OakHell, has lots of specifics which would make sense for someone pissed off, b/c they were screwed over.

Ask your self which battery will give you the most miles and trouble free issues? NEW HV Battery from Toyota or module replacement from your buddy Brian? Obviously cost is a factor, but let's just exclude that for now.

A NEW HV Battery can be had for $2100 in the greater Los Angeles area, from the 3 dealers who sell online.
How much have you spent so far? What are his warranty service labor rates for modules that fail, which he didn't install? How much does he charge for modules? Long run, you'll be worse off.

That computer next to the HV Battery is the HV Battery ECU.

Am I the only one questioning why he doesn't have mini VCI? If he does this as a living or as a side gig for extra cash, it's such a useful tool and costs nothing. Even if he didn't have a laptop, XP laptops are cheap.

 

no, you are not the only one.

 

Back in 2014 when I threw out Brian's name in an earlier post, I thought rebuilt batteries were a good options. But now in 2015, I no longer feel that way. You cannot rely on the "unknown" used modules and you cannot rely on the expertise of the technician rebuilding. So therefore they are not reliable.

Polmec came out of nowhere....if I'm not mistaken, I would think that's Brian!

 

...To answer a few questions....My car is a 2007 Camry Hybrid that I bought new. My Original battery pack had 34 cells with matching Serial Numbers...it now has 33 and cell number 1 (which is supposed to be Brand New) has a totally different number that is barely legible...I assume from floating around in Brians trunk for who knows how long!!!!!
I was referred to Brian Nguyen from a friend...not this site. He had the EXACT same story as this POLMEC person. First visit $550 plus $50 to clean the copper battery connectors....a month later Second visit he brings out a Volt Meter and plays around for fifteen minutes and says that the controller is bad and specific to this car! He leaves and comes back a couple hours later and swaps controller for known good one??? Another $350! This is almost $1000 for cleaning some copper plates and switching parts that were probably removed from a previous customers car! Pretty Good Scam!!!
I have since found that it is a very VERY common occurence for the copper connectors to corrode and have a faulty connection in the battery pack thereby giving the ECM false voltage readings and setting a P0A80 code!!! At this point the car goes into a Limp Mode and shuts down the electric part of the Hybrid System!
There is a Good Video on Google showing how to Repair your Camry Hybrid Battery for $10 and from what I now know this is the problem with 95% of Toyotas Hybrid Cars

 

Your 2007 is out of warranty right?

 

169,000 miles

 

Bummer.

Should have attempted a call to Toy Cust Care, for a good will gesture of any % or dollars off a repair. Now that option won't apply b/c of the module swap, which would likely be noticed when the old HV Battery is examined.

 

I have dealt with Toyota Customer Care b4 and they don't care!!! I thought they would be a lot better than GM...Boy was I wrong! As far as the core, Toyota doesn't care what the core looks like...they are not going to rebuild it!!!! They are just trying to keep the cores off of the street so people like Brian Nguyen don't get a hold of them and sell as Rebuilts!!!! Plus I am sure the Government gives them some kind of rebate or incentive for recycling them. If i have to I will buy a New Battery from Toyota. I will let you know what it costs with my discount. Thanks

 

Toyota of San Bernardino (San Bernardino County?), Toyota of Carson and North Hollywood (Los Angeles County), are the only 3 dealers in Greater LA that have online websites. Carson was the most expenaive of these three, but I'm sure they would price match.

Do let us know what trade pricing is. Curious as to how much lower it is than online.

 

I need to chime in here. I also called Brian based on the recommendation in this thread and had an equally hideous experience. I will spare you the gory details and just say DO NOT LET THIS MAN NEAR YOUR PRIUS!!!!

Try hybrid battery repair in North Hollywood. Good reviews on yelp and a legitimate business. He even does the low cost reconditioned battery repair if you want, or the higher cost premium battery with a four year warranty. I can't paste the link unfortunately since this is my first post. Just google hybrid battery repair north hollywood and it's the first thing to come up.

 

H

Hi everyone, inasmuch as I find "OakHell" to be so down on Brain, I find it essential to reply. I talk to Brain about the things that was said, he knew nothing about it. I called Brain because I'm from Los Angeles (Watts), and it was clear to me that Brain was being hated-on! I asked myself, if OakHell know somuch why he called Brain and paid him. I didn't buy OakHell post. I had Brain work on my Prius battery and he did a good job bottom line! Take it from a Real G, Brain is on top of his game! Call him 1 (626) 586-9706
Thank you!