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2007 Prius Hybrid battery failing- should I repair it for $3100?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by sb86, Aug 14, 2018.

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  1. #1 Toyota salesman

    #1 Toyota salesman Member

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    My local dealer, will gladly sell me one $1950 over-the-counter. I have one across town, who will do 1650, over-the-counter. I'm sure the book calls for four hours labor. Even at 120 an hour that's only 500 labor you're still well under $2500 out the door. With the warranty no questions asked, since it's thru to a Toyota dealer. Don't get me wrong, I don't like dealers, I prefer someone like you, Eric

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    #21 #1 Toyota salesman, Sep 2, 2018
  2. #1 Toyota salesman

    #1 Toyota salesman Member

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    OP what I mean, is your dealer is flat out ripping you off. And I question a shop that charges almost $3000 to do it. Look at my numbers above. There is no reason you should not be able to match those numbers. Assuming your hybrid battery is bad.
    But my first example is $180 to diagnose your car.
    Then $330 for a new 12v
    All their info and efforts are lazy and contradictory
    Because you are not mechanically inclined, you need to find someone to work on this vehicle, that you can trust. And I am telling you, right now, that is NOT this dealership.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    #22 #1 Toyota salesman, Sep 2, 2018
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  3. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace Senior Member

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    Dealers are not required to sell the battery without installation and some refuse. Others are OK selling the part.
     
    #23 Prodigyplace, Sep 2, 2018
  4. frodoz737

    frodoz737 Top Wrench

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    Dealerships can not refuse to sell an HV battery over the counter.
     
    #24 frodoz737, Sep 2, 2018
  5. #1 Toyota salesman

    #1 Toyota salesman Member

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    They pull the old school..."ma'am I can't legally let you leave with those brakes like that"
    They may not WANT to, but they kind of HAVE to

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    #25 #1 Toyota salesman, Sep 3, 2018
  6. sb86

    sb86 New Member

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    Oh that’s good to know. Today- the dashboard went black. I found a YouTube video that said the dashboard goes black and the car doesn’t turn off due to a faulty combination meter. I held the power button down 3 seconds, got into accessory mode, then pushed the power button twice. It turned off. So as of now, it’s completely driveable , but this is exactly the series of events that occurred when I bought the car in the first place. If I replace the combo meter will it make a difference with the dashboard or should I /could I just quit messing around and buy the hybrid battery ?
     
    #26 sb86, Sep 4, 2018
  7. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace Senior Member

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    Talk to Texas Hybrid Batteries. They repair and sell combo meters.

    Prius Speedometer Replacement
     
    #27 Prodigyplace, Sep 4, 2018
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  8. lpr9

    lpr9 Junior Member

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    For a price comparison (if you were local to Texas hybrid) they list a new hybrid pack installed for $2550. (They also offer an oil change and air filter for $150.)

    I am in Connecticut and replaced my battery pack last year for just under $3000 after tax and rental car for 2 days.

    I called 5 local dealers for prices. One quoted me almost $5000, 2 were $3500, one never bothered to call me back, and the one I went with was $3000

    There was a dealer in Rhode island that listed there battery pack as a part for $2000+ tax (probably $2300 after tax and gas) but it would have been almost $3000 installed after tax.

    Having had back problems in the past, I figured the $700 was worth 5 hours of driving (2 trips) the couple of hours of labor and the weeks of physical therapy.
     
    #28 lpr9, Sep 4, 2018
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  9. sb86

    sb86 New Member

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    It is not burning oil at a fast rate. The suspension is normal- not clunky. Its not old and beat up. My sister used to for Uber so she kept it looking good and mechanically running as best she could. I live in an apt so keeping it as a project is not possible. What does YMMV stand for? Thank you for weighing in!
     
    #29 sb86, Sep 18, 2018
  10. sb86

    sb86 New Member

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    The codes all went away after the battery was replaced. For 2 weeks. Today the code for the hybrid battery came back on. We are going to get it repaired tomorrow. I hope they keep to their $2950 quote and tell me the care is in otherwise EXCELLENT condition. Id love to drive it til the wheels fall off.
     
    #30 sb86, Sep 18, 2018
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  11. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    here's hoping, all the best!(y)
     
    #31 bisco, Sep 18, 2018
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  12. frodoz737

    frodoz737 Top Wrench

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    sb86...just so you know...your car is not worth $2,950 Black Book. Just saying.
     
    #32 frodoz737, Sep 18, 2018
  13. ITBland

    ITBland Active Member

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    Internet “shorthand” for “Your Mileage May Vary”
    My experience with cars/Prius (and my advice) may not match your exact situation, so The “standard disclaimer” we used to hear at the end of car commercials is often humorously applied to posts.:)
     
    #33 ITBland, Sep 18, 2018
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  14. sb86

    sb86 New Member

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    Good point.... but good news. The hybrid was tested yesterday at a shop and they said it is testing well. HOWEVER, they also said the blacking out instrument panel is due to a computer glitch: they reset it and it "works fine now". I mentioned I have also reset it by pulling the chunk of wires out of the 12v in the back, waiting 60 sec., replugging and voila. The mechanic said he would talk to the guy who was looking at the car to do another check for problems with the combo meter and if there is any reason the computer randomly glitches like that. I dont have the car back yet so I am unsure of the cost for diagnosing.
     
    #34 sb86, Sep 20, 2018
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  15. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    good news!(y)
     
    #35 bisco, Sep 20, 2018
  16. sb86

    sb86 New Member

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    @ITBland Per your suggestion, I insisted they check out the combo meter (which I learned is also called the instrument cluster control module), after they tested the hybrid system/ electric battery which passed, and they told me the combo meter is the culprit of the dash board being black, and, they suspect, the reason for the whacky light signals coming on and off. Ten days and $1000 to repair because Toyota used to have a "superseded part" , however it has been discontinued and he found a place back east that will repair it with at least a 1 year warranty. (He will clarify warranty on Monday 1-2 years).

    I asked about the fact that Toyota dealership told me the hybrid system was failing, and that he said it was not failing. He said don't point fingers too quickly, because in order to be sure one way or the other, the combo meter needs to be replaced to get the accurate read out. At this point, I just got new rear brakes for $400, new battery with a necessary hose that was missing for $400...should I spend $1000 just to find out indeed it was the hybrid system failing and then pay $3k to fix that?

    If I don't, what am I to do with my car? Sell it to who? How can I avoid all the wasted $ put into it?
     
    #36 sb86, Sep 21, 2018
  17. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace Senior Member

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    On of our trusted experts here @Texas Hybrid Batteries repairs & sells repaired combo meters for $150 with a lifetime warranty.

    See Prius Speedometer Replacement
     
    #37 Prodigyplace, Sep 21, 2018
  18. Texas Hybrid Batteries

    Texas Hybrid Batteries Senior Member

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    It's not true that the combo meter needs to be working to diagnose other systems in the car. Any trouble codes in the Hybrid Control or Battery ECU will be readable with or without the CM working. Please don't spend $1000 on a CM replacement. I can refer you to a great shop in Portland that will do it for half of that and they will probably figure out what else (if anything) is wrong with your car.
     
    #38 Texas Hybrid Batteries, Sep 21, 2018
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  19. sb86

    sb86 New Member

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    #39 sb86, Sep 21, 2018
  20. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    what part of 'i can refer you to a great shop in portland' did you miss?
     
    #40 bisco, Sep 21, 2018
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