Newbie with bad battery, Calling all Engineers!

Hello all,

I want to apologize for doing this, I know most forums bash on people for not using the search button. I accept the fact that at least one person will show me how to use the search function. (ps. I have searched a lot)

Now that thats done, I bought a used prius right after graduating college, because new job is 30 min drive, and school can be 2hr drive. Exactly 3 months later my dash lit up, should have known better, I bought it from a so-called mechanic from hybrid 911. I have put new tires, 4 new shocks, all recommended maintenance (all done personally Bar-tires). I love this big red thing and I am not getting rid of it.

I drove 1 hour to his shop avg of 50.xx on the dash, on the return it was 48.XX, so mpg is still great. But SOC jumps all over the place, and I am afraid of getting stuck at work, or not being able to go to work. I used a scanner and got PA080. I dont hear the fan going wild back there, but at the same time I am driving so I could be wrong. The mechanic used a snap-on tool, and was not able to retrieve any codes, he took it for a short drive. He then told me that it needed a new battery.

Car is N/A mileage, but I estimate it at 200,000.

I have access to torque app and Bluetooth scanner

The cheapest price for a reman battery so far is Summit racing at 1331.73 free ship, dont know if core shipping is free though (anyone have experience with that?). I have lost all hope to people on C.L. claiming to swap your battery with a "good" one, But I am in San Bernardino Ca, if anyone will personally recommend a place I will consider it.


Recommendations?? I am willing to "Recondition the battery", test the modules individually, 2 brothers are electricians, and I am quite mechanically inclined- but not enough know how to tackle this alone.


Thank you VERY MUCH for any and all input-

 

I actually went there, they told me that the battery should be completely replaced. But I call to question their whole business, originally when he scanned it he said that he didnt see a problem, insisting that I cleared the code. Next he took it for a test drive, when he returned he said "it drives like a champ", but also saying the entire battery needs to be replaced. That guy is not getting a dime from me, they are willing to give me a "discount", but how can I trust that they will repair the battery. When i originally bought the car from him he promised that the car was in perfect condition, along with several other blatant lies. I have 0 respect for that shop.

 

Carolyn is highly recommended by engineers and prius owners nationwide[/QUOTE]
Thank you very much for your input, I did hear good things about her. Unfortunately she quotes 1600 for used battery installed, along with being very far away. Doorman will be 1331, installed by me, 3 year warranty, and ReInvolt has proven itself as well.

Is there anyone that thinks maybe this isnt the battery?

Is it (relatively) safe to drive 25 miles one way to work?

Does anyone have links to a solid diy on refurbishing a battery? or am i better off with dorman/reinvolt

 

I am actually quite excited to try and repair the battery myself, I usually see these as unique learning experiences. That being said, I am broke, I can however afford the new battery using my credit card on no interest for 6 mo. What is the cheapest place to get the new toyota battery, the lowest I could get at my local stealership was 2300.

The reason it is recommended New or remmaned is because? Dorman does not use new cells? 3 year warranty is pretty enticing, I plan to keep the car for a few years, then give it to my fiance (she loves it too) and get a Gen 4!

To my suprise this morning all my dash lights disapeared, I am thinking more about gettting that grid charger. Is Hybrid Automotive - Grid Charger - Hybrid Battery Rebalancer usually the highest recommended? From what i can gather it may just fix my problem. If not then I just replace bad cells and use the rebalancer, and im good for xx months/years.

 

Tried doing a few quick searches, any way you can provide me a link sir? Is it tax free? Taxes can kill that deal.

I would really like someone to chime in on the grid charger, my battery may not be to bad if the lights turned off (right?).

Once again thank you all for the great advice

 

I was too optimistic, thinking I could buy it online like a dorman. The dorman would be tax free and core charges don't worry me- Standard with many parts.

 

Thank you very much.
It's decided, I'm fixing the battery. In your opinion the grc01 grid charger is recommended. So I can just buy it lol.

If anyone has packs that they would like to sell I may be in the market.

I thought the 12v battery exhibits very different symptoms. I'll check it using the mfd diagnostic, and check back with results.