1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

2001 Prius - How to tell if the batteries have been changed?

Discussion in 'Newbie Forum' started by pifiu, Nov 4, 2011.

  1. pifiu

    pifiu Junior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 4, 2011
    2
    0
    0
    Location:
    Miami
    Vehicle:
    2001 Prius
    Model:
    One
    I have my eye on a particular 2001 model with 153k miles. The previous owner who passed away ''supposedly'' had the battery pack changed. The person selling it on their behalf does not know, nor have the records, but says they possibly did it at the dealer or a local shop.

    I've read some people say that these batteries never need changing, or they are meant to last about 18 years or about 200k?

    Regardless, is there a time stamp or code I can check in the battery pack that might indicate when it was changed?
     
    #1 pifiu, Nov 4, 2011
  2. seilerts

    seilerts Battery Curmudgeon

    Joined:
    Mar 7, 2010
    3,326
    1,512
    38
    Location:
    Santa Fe, NM
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    If it was done by Toyota, there would be a record at Toyota.com/owners. You can register the VIN as if you are the owner and get service records.

    As far as I know, there is no way to tell, unless they put in a ReInvolt, which would be so marked.
     
    #2 seilerts, Nov 4, 2011
    1 person likes this.
  3. jhknight

    jhknight Junior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 15, 2011
    74
    3
    0
    Location:
    south central Minnesota
    Vehicle:
    2002 Prius
    Model:
    N/A

    I have a 2002 Prius going on 110,000 miles. I understood the Nimh hybrid battery is usually only replaced after an accident? IF there was any work done since about 2005 (when toyota owners site went online) you should be able to access that cars' service history, Toyotal would have a record.
    MOST LIKELY, like my 2002, what they replaced was the motorcycle sized 12v battery which resides in the trunk near the taillight. Easy to check if an "upgrade" was done, just look and see if that 12v battery looks like a little motorcycle battery of if it's the upgrade that actually looks like a car battery. You'll want to upgrade that original battery right away as an older battery doens't hold up more than a couple days without driving and the car won't start.
     
    #3 jhknight, Nov 6, 2011
  4. seilerts

    seilerts Battery Curmudgeon

    Joined:
    Mar 7, 2010
    3,326
    1,512
    38
    Location:
    Santa Fe, NM
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    The NiMH hybrid battery won't last forever. Many have been replaced. Any Prius with more than 8 year and 100,000 miles on the clock is susceptible.
     
    #4 seilerts, Nov 6, 2011
    1 person likes this.
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)