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Should I replace the hybrid battery?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by Chuchusdaddy, Mar 15, 2024.

  1. Chuchusdaddy

    Chuchusdaddy New Member

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    I have a 2010 Prius with approx 128,500 miles. All was well until about a year ago when the "Check Hybrid System" warning light came on. After visits to the local dealership, a stop by Greentec Auto and a phone conversation with a mechanic who repairs hybrid vehicles, I decided to do nothing. I was concerned about investing too much money in a (now) 14 year old car with considerable mileage.
    The Toyota dealership ran a diagnostic that indicated that a hybrid battery smart unit ecu was needed and, if the problem wasn't resolved, I'd need a new hybrid battery (approx $4,600).
    Greentec Auto did a diagnostic that showed trouble code POAA7 hybrid battery voltage ISO sensor circuit but was told I'd probably need a new hybrid battery.
    The local mechanic, who was nice enough to speak to me on the phone for 20 minutes, said I'd probably need a new hybrid battery. He advised me not to buy one from Greentec. Thought they were substandard.
    This was all in the past year. I've driven the car sparingly (a few miles here and there). I've been thinking that maybe I should look into replacing the battery because the car has been great up until this point. But, the last couple of times I attempted to use the car, I've been having difficulty with shifting to drive. I start the car and am only able to shift to neutral or back to park.
    Now, there are a whole bunch of warning lights on the dash! I bought a FIXD sensor, scanned and received the following codes:
    C1310 - ? (twice)
    C1259 - Speed Wheel RF Comparison Failure (twice)
    POB42 - Battery Pack Voltage Sensor
    POB3D - " " " "
    POAFC - Battery Pack Sensor Module
    POACO - Battery Pack Current
    I know next to nothing when it comes to hybrid vehicles. All I know is that I loved my Prius and have a limited budget. Any advice or thoughts would be welcome. Despite what the mechanic told me, I'd consider buying the hybrid battery from Greentec for $2,500+ (with all new cells and a 48 month warranty) if I was confident that would resolve all these issues.
    Looking forward to hearing what you might have to say.
    Thanks!
     
  2. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

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    It's a generation 3 You got a lot of problems fixing to start coming down the road It is going to cost you way more than your limited budget will ever be happy with so don't do anything or make it very minimal but the car up for sale now you might get $3,000 out of it I don't know I wouldn't even care I would just want to be rid of it personally this is not the one to try and keep I can assure you of that You will have more in the car than you ever want to and you still won't have anything per se
     
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  3. jdenenberg

    jdenenberg EE Professor

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    The reason Tom warned you about "problems down the road" is that Gen3 Prii (2010-2015) are known to develop head gasket problems (especially 2010-2013) at about the mileage of your 2010. This usually signals the end-of-life for a Gen3 Prius.

    JeffD
     
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  4. Brian1954

    Brian1954 Active Member

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    All the trouble codes that you listed are related to the hybrid battery assembly. So the odds are pretty good that if it is replaced, most if not all the codes will be fixed.

    But first check the trunk, spare tire area, 12v battery area for any water/wetness, which would be a sign of water leaking into the trunk. Many of the trouble codes that you listed could be caused by water that caused corrosion on some of the components in the hybrid battery assembly.
     
    #4 Brian1954, Mar 15, 2024
    Last edited: Mar 15, 2024
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  5. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    Do you still have the original 12v battery? If it's weak, you will get several hybrid codes....
    Get an AGM battery charger of 5 amps or less and charge the 12v battery for at least
    8 hours. That will insure you have a full charge on it.

    You could always get the Prolong Hybrid Battery Charger/Discharger and run it through the
    4 charge and 3 discharge cycles. It has helped my battery!

     
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  6. The Critic

    The Critic Resident Critic

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    This. If you have a limited budget, it might be a good time to move on from this car.
     
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  7. Chuchusdaddy

    Chuchusdaddy New Member

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    Thank you for your response!

    Thanks Jeff!

    You're on point! When I brought it to the dealer, they found water infiltration. Strangely enough, I hadn't been able to access the trunk for quite a while prior. I paid Toyota $500 to replace the latch to the hatch (total ripof), and they informed me of the water. They did nothing about it. I replace the 12v battery and drained the water from the area hoping the codes would disappear. They didn't, but I don't doubt that the water contributed to the issues.

    Thank you - I did replace the 12v battery, but the issues remain

    Thanks for your response!

    Thanks Brian! I thought I responded but wanted to let you know you're on point with the water in the trunk. I was unable to access the trunk for a while prior to the warning lights. It wasn't a priority, and I didn't want to get ripped off. Ended up getting ripped off by the dealer who had to repair it to access that area once the "check hybrid system" warning appeared. They discovered the water, but I drained it a replace the 12v battery.
    I agree with you about replacing the hybrid battery, and the resolution of the codes. Now, I'm getting a bit concerned about what might come next.
    Thanks again!

    I think I might agree. Thank you!
     
    #7 Chuchusdaddy, Mar 15, 2024
    Last edited by a moderator: Mar 15, 2024
  8. Carall

    Carall Member

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    You have 4 codes related to the battery monitoring. It seems to me that either the mouse was in the battery pack or this is due to water leakage as already written earlier.
     
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  9. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

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    This is very common the water in the trunk there are rubber plugs where the 12 volt battery sits that probably haven't been pushed through if you remove the 12 volt battery run your finger around you'll feel some rubber push on it it'll push out That's a good thing I even drilled a few extra I don't know 530 seconds or a quarter inch holes where water will sit when I pour it in there with a drink cup you know the red Solo things you get drunk out of. You take a solo cup with a 12 volt out and you pour water in that area you see where it's standing drill a little hole you'll put about three there's no problem doing this You're not going to hurt anything you don't want to bury the drill all the way the depth of the drill bit You just poking a little hole You're scared of that you can use a punch and a hammer Good luck swinging the hammer but anyway over there on the other side underneath the little tool storage area it's the exact same as the other side where the 12 volt goes pour water there see where it stands add a hole with the standing points push out the rubber plugs where you feel them put the tool tray back in. Lift up the rear trunk center section by undoing the two locking knobs lift that up set it up near the back seats folded down lift the plastic tool tote tray out and now you're looking at the spare tire unscrew the spare tire tilt it up on its side while it's sitting in the well you see two rubber plugs one back where near the trailer hitch or receiver would be if you had one and one right under the battery the one right under the battery you want to poke that rubber plug out If you poke it out and it falls on the ground or retrieve and throw it in the space. Now what you have created is pass through water's going to enter through all the grunge around your trunk seal that no one ever cleans or through pieces of metal that are overlapped together where the glue that the overlapping metal is glued that cracks water gets through that drips into the trunk area and goes where it desires because it has nowhere to do what? Pass through You just created the pass-through points for the moisture in the water now they will get in but they won't stay. You have pass through that's what you want that's what those plugs are for.
     
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  10. Leadfoot J. McCoalroller

    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller Senior Member

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    Screenshot 2024-03-16 at 9.34.43 AM.png

    (I stole the graphic, won't accept credit for spelling)
     
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  11. Brian1954

    Brian1954 Active Member

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    Based on the trouble codes that you listed, replacing the hybrid battery smart unit maybe is all that is needed. Are you a DIY type of person who is interested in trying to fix it yourself.?
     
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  12. Chuchusdaddy

    Chuchusdaddy New Member

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    thank you!
     
  13. Chuchusdaddy

    Chuchusdaddy New Member

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    Thanks to all for your responses! It's much appreciated!