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

2005 prius problems

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by Sarah0316, Apr 22, 2013.

  1. Sarah0316

    Sarah0316 New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 22, 2013
    1
    0
    0
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    My 2005 prius seems to be having major issues. The check engine light came on and my husband ran the codes and it came up that the catalytic converter was inefficient or something like that. He assumed it was the o2 sensor and we didn't get it fixed right away because he went out of town. A few days ago, I was driving the car ad the problem light came on. Since my husband was not here, I took it to the Toyota dealership. They said it was the catalytic converter but said I should be able to continue to drive it for a while without any major problems. They also said that the hybrid battery was on its last leg. My prius has about 130,000 miles. They said the catalytic converter would be about 1500 to fix and that the battery would be about 4400. Their recommendation was that I just buy a new car soon. I can't afford to do that. I bought this one used and am still paying on it. So I just took the car home as it was since they seemed to believe I should be able to drive it fine for a while. Well, about two days later, I was driving the car and it was driving really rough. When I stopped at stop signs, I noticed it seeme to kind of hesitate when I would take off again. I'd have to step on the gas a little harder to get it to go. I also noticed that my battery seemed to be draining really quickly and then it would also go back up pretty quickly. I continued driving it for a little while watching the battery, and I stopped at a light and it would hardly go when I tried to go when the light turned green. It was like it kept losing power and I'd have to step on the gas more to get it to move. It was very jerky and it would not go very fast. It seemed almost like I was running out of gas. I was able to pull over and get out of the way. I turned the car off, and planned on having someone pick me up and towing the car. I decided to turn the car back on and try driving it to a family member's house that was by. It turned on and seemed to drive ok, except I could still see that the battery was draining way too easily. Haven't driven it since then. Anyone have any idea what could be going on? Husband is gone right now and I know nothing about cars and feel like the dealership is going to charge way too much. I live in a relatively small town where the one Toyota dealership is my only option.
     
  2. 2k1Toaster

    2k1Toaster Brand New Prius Batteries

    Joined:
    Feb 14, 2010
    6,035
    3,855
    0
    Location:
    Rocky Mountains
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    $4400 to replace the main HV battery is too high by about $1000 including parts and labour. Rebuilt is closer to $1500 to $2200 part cost and $300 to $500 installation.

    The symptoms you report of the HV battery going up and down very fast and then needing more go-pedal power for a response is indicative of a failing traction battery. However, generally these things take time to develop and you will notice it for a while before it becomes undrivable. Is this the first time you noticed it? It could also just be human nature that now that you are aware of the issue, you notice it whereas before it might have been doing it but you did not notice.

    The converter is about a $300 part, and a couple hours. Your estimate seems bloated by double again.

    First step is find a new dealership, these people are crooks. Then judge how much money you want to throw at the car. You are looking at about $3K out of pocket if that's what the issues are to get them repaired by a competent dealership. You also did not mention what state you are in, but if it is a CARB registered and purchased vehicle, you have 10 years and 150,000 mile warranty on both the items you are needing fixed. So if you are in a CARB state, it will be a free repair.
     
    SteveLee and HaroldW like this.
  3. SteveLee

    SteveLee Active Member

    Joined:
    Sep 15, 2012
    645
    180
    0
    Location:
    North Carolina
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    I
    Probably the catalytic needs replacing but there are likely less expensive alternatives to the dealership. An aftermarket unit installed at a local muffler shop or other mechanic may be a viable option.

    How old is the 12V auxiliary battery? If it is over 4 years old it could be causing some issues. Even less than 4 years old it could be causing some issues. There again there are less expensive alternatives to the dealership. It may be the HV battery but I eliminate the less expensive possibilities first. Any good mechanic can do this.

    Follow the test procedure in Weird stuff happening? MPGs dropping? Test The Battery | PriusChat and report all three numbers back here. That will help determine if the health of the 12V.

    If it is the HV battery there are also less expensive options here. Anything from a used battery from a salvaged car to a re-manufactured one to just a new one from other sources. Recently we saw reports of new ones for $2,000. Used are $500-1,000. Re-manufactured are 1,400 - 1,800. A good mechanic can do this too.
     
    kenoarto likes this.
  4. kenoarto

    kenoarto Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 7, 2006
    1,413
    398
    0
    Location:
    Chicago, IL
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    II
    How old is your 12v battery? Use the built in method outlined here on PriusChat to test it (not an external meter). Change the 12v before you do ANYTHING else wildly expensive.
     
    JimboPalmer likes this.
  5. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

    Joined:
    Apr 14, 2009
    12,470
    6,869
    2
    Location:
    Greenwood MS USA
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Three
    I agree with Kenarto. Anytime you get unrelated error codes you need to at least suspect that the computer is simply not getting proper power.

    Weird stuff happening? MPGs dropping? Test The Battery | PriusChat

    If it turns out to be the 12 volt battery dying, that is cheaper than anything the dealer quoted you.

    Near $200 if you install it yourself, perhaps $300 if the dealer does it for you.