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Driving on bad hybrid battery

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by Keepdriving, May 23, 2018.

  1. Keepdriving

    Keepdriving Junior Member

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    Some of you know I've been driving with a bad hybrid battery. The first time the check hybrid system light came on was last July at around 195k miles. Error code from a Toyota dealer and also my mechanic, as I wanted a second opinion, was P0A80. I decided to just drive my Prius until the battery totally died and then junk it as it was not worth it for me spending close $4000 for a new battery. I also almost ordered the battery reconditioning kit from seeing the ads here but decided against it. Now it's been almost 10 months and 15k miles later, the car is still driving well with mileage back up to 50+ as I don't have to use the heater anymore. The other day I was at 67 mpg for 75 miles. Not bad.
    The battery is definitely not good as it discharges faster than before, but at this rate, if I can drive another 15k miles, I think other parts will go bad before the battery completely dies. I'm sure I'll get stranded somewhere sometime, but so far so good. Just wanted to share my experience.
     
  2. MelonPrius

    MelonPrius Senior Member

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    I didn't think it was possible to get fuel economy like with a dying battery, that's impressive.

    On a side note, the prices have gone down and you should be able to get an OEM battery installed for much less. Especially if you're willing to travel. But like you said, at 201k miles, it's probably not worth it.
     
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  3. Keepdriving

    Keepdriving Junior Member

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    Posting picture of the dealer print out. Then about 2 months ago light came on again but turned it off with the OBD2 scanner. Next pics are mpg couple of weeks ago and total mileage.
     
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  4. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    I am going to be a contrarian, and suggest getting to know junkyards.

    If they would call you when a Gen 3 Prius came in wrecked, so the used battery did not sit long, you could get a used battery for $1000. Since 2010 was the first year, it HAS to be newer than what you have. If you need one every year, can you buy a new car for a $1000 a year?

    Unless you have been ignoring maintenance, it has years left in it.
     
  5. Keepdriving

    Keepdriving Junior Member

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    Well, no rush to change the battery. The car is driving fine so far especially on the highway. All 10 times when the check hybrid system light came on was when driving less than at 45 mph. Will be interesting to see how it handles the summer heat with ac going at full blast. The road here is so bad, I’m sure something else will go wrong before the battery dies completely.
     
  6. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

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    The answer to my question will probably be 'no' due to budget, but Had you had the chance to get in contact with a company that remotely comes out to your house and to your car and plug in like a batt conditioner charger to the hv battery and they would also be there the entire time? That way you won't have to buy a refurb he pack.
     
  7. MelonPrius

    MelonPrius Senior Member

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    Did you buy this car new? At 210k miles and hoping to make it to 225k miles, that's fantastic in my book. I had a '95 Camry that made it to 225k miles and I still miss that car to this day.
     
  8. Keepdriving

    Keepdriving Junior Member

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    No, I didn’t know they came out and recharged the battery. I did get hold of a company where they will come out and replaced the battery with refurb but only gave 18k or year and a half warranty for $2k+. I’m almost past that already so I’ll just see what happens. Just the curiosity will keep me to keep on driving, I think.
     
  9. Keepdriving

    Keepdriving Junior Member

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    Yep, new. I did have to change wheel bearing on both front for $1200. Ouch. Other than that oil change around every 15k miles, and on my 3rd set of tires. And had inverter software update and sudden acceleration software update a few years ago. Love the car other than passenger side low beam bulb is real pain to replace. Everything else including the wipers are original.
     
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  10. MelonPrius

    MelonPrius Senior Member

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    3rd set of tires? That's darn good.
     
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  11. Keepdriving

    Keepdriving Junior Member

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  12. Keepdriving

    Keepdriving Junior Member

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    The chs light came on again last week. It was about 3000miles before that. Anyway, the temp was about 95 degrees and I had the AC at full blast driving slowly around the parking lot looking to park. I guess the ICE couldn’t charge the battery fast enough with the AC at full blast. Reset the error code and has been fine for about 200 miles since. The rate of charge and discharge haven’t changed since the warning light first came on about a year ago. Hmmm...
     
  13. FuelMiser

    FuelMiser Senior Member

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    Wondering if your CHS warning resets itself, or do you have to do something? Also, since the CHS warning is intermittent, and you are getting decent MPG otherwise, I would think somebody could rehabilitate your traction battery for not much money. Probably a small number of degraded cells and/or simply a loose connection that triggers the light. Have you looked for an indy hybrid shop?
     
  14. Keepdriving

    Keepdriving Junior Member

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    I kinda want to see how many miles I can get out of it without doing anything to the battery at this point. And I think I know exactly what situation the chs light comes on: basically 2 situations and both when I’m really taxing the battery and not giving enough time to recharge.
    I use OBD2 scanner to rest the chs light. I will be hitting 211,000 miles in a day or two so about 16k miles since the dealer told me I need new traction battery.
     
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  15. creatorcake

    creatorcake Junior Member

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    t you can monitor the cells with the torque pro app for android and a bluetooth adapter to find which cells may be dead or dying.fo I will repost when all this stuff . when I am done checking it out ill let everyone know how it goes. Not sure if I am going to recondition before adding modules or just add modules and then recondition. I will let you all know when the process is under way.
     
  16. Wayne

    Wayne Active Member

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    I'd be surprised if it's the battery with the mileage you are getting. My mileage was the first to go, years before the battery showed an error code.

    I'd wonder about intermittent connections, maybe corrosion on the battery.
     
  17. Keepdriving

    Keepdriving Junior Member

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    I’m pretty sure it’s the battery. Now that I’m using AC, my energy level bars are like a roller coaster. I think the battery’s days are numbered. The car has now a very slight but noticeable jerk as well when I’m accelerating. Then a few seconds later, I lose a bar on the energy meter. Ah well, all good things must come to an end, eventually. Just went over 211,000 miles a couple of days ago though.
     
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  18. jack black

    jack black Active Member

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    Please keep us posted. Do you have to clear the error to keep driving? What happens when you don't?
     
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  19. jack black

    jack black Active Member

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    Did you know there is a free fix for that? Program ZHB.
     
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  20. Keepdriving

    Keepdriving Junior Member

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    Just looked it up at Toyota website. Much obliged.
     
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