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I changed the Main battery on my 04 prius today

Discussion in 'Newbie Forum' started by JRsGreyPrius, Mar 3, 2011.

  1. JRsGreyPrius

    JRsGreyPrius New Member

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    Well i read up on it and it seemed it was a safe bet, it turned out its not. i am the proud "winner" of the famous RED :mad:TRIANGLE. Oh yes, now WHAT? ....My car has 156k soo,i got a good price on an 08 prius Battery ($400) 21k miles (crashed) thinking it was a great deal and an easy fix, i procceded to change it. easy job but now its gonna cost me more. Waiting on a friends Snap on scanner to see if we can reset this wonderfull looking "RED :mad:demon" from in front of my face. Has anybody else encounter this problem. will keep informed.
     
    #1 JRsGreyPrius, Mar 3, 2011
  2. JRsGreyPrius

    JRsGreyPrius New Member

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    Ok so today is Sat. March 5, i posted this a couple of days ago as i was stuck with the "Red :mad: triangle Demon" well i had to stop working on the car so as not to get too upset at myself for having taken the battery off of my working car, so today it occurred to me (since i didnt get a reply from nobody) to put the new battery with the old computer and at the same time i disconected the Aux Battery, for about an hour, which is about the time it took me to remove the battery and change the computer. after having done this i connected the hybrid batt and then proceded to re-connect the small battery, sat on the driver seat hit the start button, (the RED :mad:demon tried to come on) on my second attempt the Red :mad:demon shut off and my car started. No more :mad:....YESSSS, i didnt have to tow my prius to the dealer. and the new battery charge level seems to be higher than it was before but not by a lot. My old battery was good after all. Oh Well its going on Ebay next week for $400. good luck to anyone attempting this Job. if youre carefull it should be done with no broblem. Just remember if the new computer is too new, you have to keep the old one or take it to the dealership to get reprogrammed? i guess?.
     
    #2 JRsGreyPrius, Mar 5, 2011
  3. caffeinekid

    caffeinekid Duct Tape Extraordinaire

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    What made you think you needed to change the traction battery in the first place?
     
    #3 caffeinekid, Mar 5, 2011
  4. SageBrush

    SageBrush Senior Member

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    All I got out of OP's ramble is that he discovered he had to disconnect the 12v to clear codes.
     
    #4 SageBrush, Mar 5, 2011
  5. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    sorry, i never saw this on 03-03-11. otherwise, i would have advised you to
     
    #5 bisco, Mar 5, 2011
  6. JRsGreyPrius

    JRsGreyPrius New Member

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    well i recently bought the car and it has 156k(close to the 160k i read online they are best at) and the charge level never got that high, also i was getting like 30 mpg, so i thought the best thing to do was to change it. got a good deal on a 2008 with 23k for $400 so i took the gamble. i should be ok with this one. (happy that the aux. battery disconnect cleared the codes) by the way,i am only 2 weeks into the car. But i should mention i work on cars on a regular basis, not on hybrid though.....
     
    #6 JRsGreyPrius, Mar 5, 2011
  7. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    :welcome: and all the best with your new ride. nice to have another technical mind on board!
     
    #7 bisco, Mar 5, 2011
  8. JRsGreyPrius

    JRsGreyPrius New Member

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    Thanks Bisco, i do like this site and will stop around on a regular basis
     
    #8 JRsGreyPrius, Mar 5, 2011
  9. caffeinekid

    caffeinekid Duct Tape Extraordinaire

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    Well, in the greater scheme of things, $400.00 and a couple hours of your time was probably well worth having a much newer traction battery, plus you got to get your hands inside of it and see how simple it is in spite of the hullaballoo about hybrids. Keep us appraised of your progress on it....especially if the low mpg issue persists.

    And yeah, welcome aboard! :welcome:
     
    #9 caffeinekid, Mar 6, 2011
  10. TonyPSchaefer

    TonyPSchaefer Your Friendly Moderator
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    :welcome: Welcome to Priuschat, JR.
    Wow, what a way to come to the group. Congrats on the successful replacement (even after perhaps a few hours of missed sleep).

    There are things I can do, things I can't do and things I would never attempt. My hat goes off to you guys who do things like this.
     
    #10 TonyPSchaefer, Mar 6, 2011
  11. wick1ert

    wick1ert Senior Member

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    Did you check the 12V battery also? I know a lot of people have MPG issues when those are starting to reach for the battery graveyard. Might be good to do if the voltage isn't quite as high as it should be.
     
    #11 wick1ert, Mar 6, 2011
  12. Flaninacupboard

    Flaninacupboard Senior Member

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    The car will give you the red triangle if you try to start without the orange plug fully engaged. the triangle will then stay for three restarts even once the plug is fully engaged (you need to fold it flat and then push it sideways till it clicks)

    Not sure about whether the battery ECU would be different on '05 and '08 cars, but i think it's the same.

    My guess would be as straight forward as orange plug. give it another go.
     
    #12 Flaninacupboard, Mar 6, 2011
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