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Bringing in 04 Prius for Battery maint and need advice

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Ryanpl, Nov 22, 2010.

  1. Ryanpl

    Ryanpl Active Member

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    Hi everyone, I think Whilamenia has a pain in her HV battery and am bringing her into the doctor tomorrow, Bay Ridge Toyota. The patient is a 2004 Prius with approx. 108,000 miles. She is currently exhibiting the following symptoms: low MPS (approx 35 mpg), is not holding a good charge the ICE has been runing more and more often, and all of a sudden there is a sweetish smell coming from the HV rear HV vent and it's smelled throughout the car. Does anyone have any specific questions/diagnostic tests I should have them do on her, hint,hint Patrick :rolleyes:? Luckly she was originally bought in a CARB state, MA, and is not being operated in NYC so there is the 120 month/150k mile warranty. Ryan
     
    #1 Ryanpl, Nov 22, 2010
  2. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    1. The smell is probably from the battery module vent tubes. I'd be surprised if the dealer will take any action regarding their replacement unless you offer to fund that service.

    2. Regarding lower-than-normal mpg and the other driveability symptoms you mentioned, I doubt that the dealer will take action regarding traction battery replacement since your car doesn't have any warning lights on.

    3. You will likely be asked to pay for the tech's inspection of the battery. The Toyota diagnostic laptop should be able to produce a report showing battery module voltage and internal resistance.

    4. If you search eBay Motors you'll see that batteries from relatively new 2G with low odometer readings can be purchased for ~$400-$500 or so, plus shipping. If you can't get the dealer to take any action under warranty, and the low mpg continues, maybe installation of a salvage battery would be reasonable.
     
    #2 Patrick Wong, Nov 22, 2010
  3. seilerts

    seilerts Battery Curmudgeon

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    Have you verified that it is not the 12V that is going bad?
     
    #3 seilerts, Nov 22, 2010
  4. Ryanpl

    Ryanpl Active Member

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    Seeing as how I just put in a new Optima Yellow Top I doubt the 12v is bad.
     
    #4 Ryanpl, Nov 22, 2010
  5. uart

    uart Senior Member

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    Let us know how it turns out Ryan. :)
     
    #5 uart, Nov 22, 2010
  6. cwerdna

    cwerdna Senior Member

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    At least NY is a CARB emissions state, so the OP should have a 10 year/150K mile warranty on the HV battery.
     
    #6 cwerdna, Nov 22, 2010
  7. Ryanpl

    Ryanpl Active Member

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    From what I understand it's not the state where the car is currently being used that matters but the state where the car was purchased. In my case the car was purchased in Mass which is also a CARB state. Sick as it sounds I'm hoping it's the HV battery cause that would be the cheapest repair since it's under warranty :)
     
    #7 Ryanpl, Nov 23, 2010
  8. andyprius

    andyprius Senior Member

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    Not sick......normal.:D
     
    #8 andyprius, Nov 23, 2010
  9. seilerts

    seilerts Battery Curmudgeon

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    LOL!

    How did your visit go? 108,000 miles seems early for an HV battery failure, but luckily you have the CARB warranty.
     
    #9 seilerts, Nov 25, 2010
  10. Ryanpl

    Ryanpl Active Member

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    humm well it seems like there was a problem with the 12volt install. The connections were tight enough to power the car but not tight enough... That was the reason for low mpgs. Stealership tightned connections and did some brake work which was needed, front roters were shot and all breaks needed adjustment. Since it's nyc $800 later car is good once again. Stealership labor rate is $96/hr which is actually cheaper than Pepboys which charged $102/hr.
     
    #10 Ryanpl, Nov 25, 2010
  11. snead_c

    snead_c Jam Ma's Car

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    "humm well it seems like there was a problem with the 12volt install. The connections were tight enough to power the car but not tight enough... That was the reason for low mpgs. Stealership tightned connections "
    Thanks for the insight. I'll have to remember..tight, tighter, tightest ! :rockon:
     
    #11 snead_c, Nov 25, 2010
  12. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    I can believe that your car had a problem with loose 12V battery cables. However I doubt that was the reason for the low mpg. As you drive the car over the next few weeks you'll be able to see whether there in fact is an mpg improvement or not.
     
    #12 Patrick Wong, Nov 25, 2010
  13. Ryanpl

    Ryanpl Active Member

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    Well in the past couple of days I've seen my MPGs return to what they were before the 12v change.
     
    #13 Ryanpl, Nov 25, 2010
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