Hybrid Battery Recharge?

I wouldn't hurt to add more gas just to rule that out. The dealer can get a charger, but I don't know how much they would charge you for it. You might have to replace the pack, you might not. Really just depends.

 

How did you recharge the 12v battery? Did you use the special jump starting terminal under the hood or did you go direct to the battery. It can ruin the 12-volt battery and other components if you use too high amperage charger or jump. If one of your friends has an onboard diagnostic OBD II Tool, have them check the Diagnostic Codes to see if there's bigger problems than the 12-volt battery.

 

This new 12-volt battery could also have gone bad sitting unused for months right after you bought it.
If you can, take it to a mechanic and have them load test it to check it.
Also, as far as the traction battery, the main battery, with that age and miles and months of non-use it could have weakened it to the point of needing to be replaced.
The whole system relies on the 12-volt battery to run the brains of the car so I would make sure that you have a good 12-volt first.
As far as recharging the Main HV battery, I don't think most dealers even have that very expensive piece of equipment. The HV battery is not charged to max capacity even when working properly. The car's goal is to hit 60% state of charge (SOC) and keep it close to that by many discharges and recharges when running.

 

The HV battery State Of Charge may be too low to even start the gas engine. The HV battery, not the 12-volt, powers a motor generator to start the gas engine, so it may be too low to do that. Call your Toyota dealer and see if they have the ability to recharge the HV. You may have to have it towed there to even have them check the state of the HV battery modules. With their diagnostic tools, they can check the individual battery modules that make up the HV battery.

 

And what were your results when you tried to start it? Also, did you ever put fuel in the car?

 

Let's hope for the best.

 

Make sure you know exactly what they are offering for that $3600, brand new, remanufactured.
HV Battery Replacement Options- I suggest visiting Luscious Garage website. They are awesome. Luscious Garage | Blog | Gen 2 Prius HV Battery Replacement P0A80
They work in California on a lot of Hybrids and especially high mileage Prius taxis. The link is their blog about the HV Battery Pack dependability and replacement options. Read the link long-winded discussion too.
It may help you decide. If you like your Prius and it's in good shape other than the battery, it may be worth the $3600 to replace the HV battery. That amount doesn't get you much of a used car, but nice down payment on new.

 

$3600 seems like a lot to spend on a 2002. You might be able to order a rebuilt pack and have the dealer or another shop install it.

 

See if you can contact EV_Cor who is an awesome Prius Friend and may have some insights to share. He is in the LA area. Of course Lucious Garage and Art's Automotive are good resources in the San Francisco area.

Bummer about the traction battery. If it 'discharge' down, it probably reverse charged a bunch of the modules turning them into useless. My understanding is reverse charging an NiMH is fatal.

Bob Wilson

 

Linda L, I usually have a few rebuilt Gen1 batteries in stock in Boulder, CO for around $1200-1500 (not including shipping, require core exchange). They are a pain to ship but if you can find a local installer I may be able to help you out. Pmail me if interested. All my rebuilt batteries are installed in an actual car and driven at least 100-150 miles before shipping out of state.

 

Hi Linda, sorry about the news. Here's my recommendation to you. Call the dealer and tell them you have located a battery and want to know if they will install it. Of course they will make statements like "we can't guarantee it" etc but, they will most likely agree to do it. Find out how much they will charge you (for just the install). In reality, it should be about $300 but the dealer will likely charge $500. Buy a used/rebuilt battery from Paul or a nearby source (I say nearby source because they are such a pain to ship) and have them install it. The total cost to you will likely drop to about $2200.

If you want to be real adventurous, you could install the battery but you would likely need help (just because its heavy). Ultimately, it comes down to what you're comfortable with and your budget. Clarks Auto Parts in San Angelo would be where I would check.

 

Very sorry to hear of your problem but thank you for sharing it with us. As a new to Prius owner, I always appreciate information that may save myself and others from going thru what you are going thru. Something as simple as leaving a hatch ajar wouldn't be expected to cost $3k in most average cars but it seems this is one of the risk of owning a Prius. I hope that this will completely fix your problem and that the other electronics are not ruined, as Bob Wilson mentioned may be the case. Please keep us updated.

 

Hi Jeffrey,

The "modules" Bob spoke of as being damaged by reverse charge are components of the hybrid battery itself (there are 38 of them). It's not very likely that anything else has been damaged.

This story isn't really an example of leaving a hatch ajar costing $3k. The hatch left ajar discharged the 12-volt lead-acid battery, as it would in any car, and a fully discharged lead-acid battery in winter in any car is likely to need replacement (low charge state allows electrolyte to freeze at winter temps ⇒ internal damage).

The more unfortunate thing here is that the OP didn't get around to replacing the (less expensive) 12-volt battery for apparently over half a year, and didn't start the car that whole period, allowing the NiMH hybrid battery to severely self-discharge. That is a thing that NiMH batteries do if left uncharged over half a year or more, and so that definitely is a thing you need to keep in mind with a Prius. It's mentioned in the owner's manual but I'm sure a lot of people skim over it. You'll never need to know it as long as you drive the car regularly. It's just if you have plans to be away for many months, for example, you do need to make arrangements for someone to come start it every several weeks. There's no need to drive it anywhere; just let it sit in READY mode for half an hour or so (outdoors or with good ventilation so exhaust won't build up), then turn it off till next time.

-Chap

 

Hi Linda,

I'm not taking any pleasure in your misfortune, but just to be clear, lack of charge for that long can do in even a brand spanking new NiMH battery. Even rechargeable AAs, etc., you use around the house had better get a charge every several weeks or they're likely to be bricks when you need them. (Exceptions are those like Sanyo's Eneloop that are specifically marketed as "low self-discharge"; even those are best topped up at least once a year.)

Best of luck with your repaired car,
-Chap