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

My Prius Battery rebuild experience

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Technical Discussion' started by MichaelN77, Feb 9, 2019.

  1. MichaelN77

    MichaelN77 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 2, 2018
    57
    3
    1
    Location:
    Neptune, CA
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    I have decided to go with New Prius Batteries. It will completely use up my remaining financial aid for the semester but I can make it up later by ride sharing and I guess by selling the good cells from my old battery. I choose them because it is a good deal for a new battery not only that but you get all new parts for all the other parts of the battery. So it is brand new battery in the same old casing and same old computer control system. Hopefully I will not screw up my brand new looking interior in the process. Now let's see if they can split the payment between two cards.

    A question I keep forgetting to ask is how much does the battery pack weight?
     
  2. dolj

    dolj Senior Member

    Joined:
    May 14, 2012
    7,447
    3,750
    0
    Location:
    Wellington, New Zealand
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    I think you have made the right choice (but then I would say that, wouldn't I?).

    As far as removing the interior trim, find a good video on youtube. Get a set of panel pry tools – less than $10 at your local auto store. It is not that complex as long as you take your time and pay attention. Take photos of anything you think might be tricky on the reassembly.

    All the best and don't forget to come back with a close out post of how it went.
     
    #2 dolj, Feb 9, 2019
    Last edited: Feb 9, 2019
    Raytheeagle likes this.
  3. George W

    George W Active Member

    Joined:
    Mar 12, 2018
    909
    510
    1
    Location:
    San Antonio
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    IF there is a Harbor Freight near you, they sell a couple of 'trim' tool-kits. One is for windows and doors, the other is more for Molding. They cost $9 and $7 respectively.
     
    Skibob and Raytheeagle like this.
  4. mikethegeologist

    mikethegeologist Junior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 9, 2019
    2
    0
    0
    Location:
    Ohio, USA
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Patric, I have several cells that hit the cut off capacity too. Mine is set at 7500. All of the other cells are cycling as expected. Does it mean the cells that hit capacity are good?

    Thanks!

    I found your video last week and have been using it to rebuild my pack! Thanks for such a great resource.
     
    #4 mikethegeologist, Feb 9, 2019
    Last edited by a moderator: Feb 25, 2019
  5. 2k1Toaster

    2k1Toaster Brand New Prius Batteries

    Joined:
    Feb 14, 2010
    6,035
    3,854
    0
    Location:
    Rocky Mountains
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    It has about 70lbs of batteries in a 30lb enclosure. Ish.
     
  6. MichaelN77

    MichaelN77 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 2, 2018
    57
    3
    1
    Location:
    Neptune, CA
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    Do you have a url or photos to what they look like please. There is one further along the same side of town.
     
  7. George W

    George W Active Member

    Joined:
    Mar 12, 2018
    909
    510
    1
    Location:
    San Antonio
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
  8. RobH

    RobH Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 18, 2006
    2,369
    978
    70
    Location:
    Sunnyvale, California
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    I don't remember any parts that required a trim tool for servicing the battery. The odd one was a deep socket 10mm for the bolt near the seat belt near the window. The other gotcha I remember was hanging on to the nuts that attach the HV wiring to the battery. I dropped one and had to take apart the rest of the back seat to recover it. Maybe use a magnet next to the nut while you remove it.

    You might want to clean the battery ventilation fan while you're in there.
     
  9. MichaelN77

    MichaelN77 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 2, 2018
    57
    3
    1
    Location:
    Neptune, CA
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    Thank you, I was actually doing to do that. I watched a video from Chris Fix that shows the Interior Pry tool and how to remove, clean and replace the fan. He also recommends to move those three sensors closer to the center of the battery so the fan kicks in more to keep the battery cooler and ultimately last longer.

    Here is the video:


    I always wondered what that air vent was there for and why it would turn on and be so loud. Sometime when it kicked on, which was not a lot, it would freak me out because I thought one or all of the back doors or trunk was open. I thought it circulated the air in the backseat and cargo area. It makes so much more sense now.

    So I was right that it was at least seventy pounds and less than one hundred and fifty pounds and yes Dolj you were right.

    After this I just need to get the bumpers fixed somehow, replace the air vent covers, figure out how to fix that strange sound that sounds like the driver door is open when I am driving at high speeds sometimes, get LED headlights and taillights and Non-HID headlight assemblies and figure out how to fix those buttons on the steering wheel that control the AC and all the other ones on the right side. The ones that control the stereo and volume and the rest of the ones on the left side thankfully work fine. Then the Prius will be "Practically Perfect in Every Way" again. :)
     
    #9 MichaelN77, Feb 10, 2019
    Last edited: Feb 10, 2019
  10. RobH

    RobH Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 18, 2006
    2,369
    978
    70
    Location:
    Sunnyvale, California
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Excellent video. First one I've seen where the video actually covers lifting the battery out of the car. I've seen several others where the camera person obviously puts down the camera and helps lift the thing out... I used several blocks of wood and a plywood ramp to slide it out.
     
    KellieB123 and rbdigital like this.
  11. Phildo

    Phildo Active Member

    Joined:
    Aug 25, 2016
    137
    106
    0
    Location:
    Perth, Western Australia
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    i-Tech
    Don’t even think about pulling anything apart in a Prius (or Camry) without one of these. Do a search for “trim removal tool” or “trim removal puller” and get one.

    Here in Australia we don’t have the range of gadgetry that is available in the US, so I buy this sort of thing from AliExpress.com
    eg: Auto Fastener Tools Plastic Fastener Car Door Panel Nail Puller Interior Trim Panels Clip Tools Interior Accessories-in Auto Fastener & Clip from Automobiles & Motorcycles on Aliexpress.com | Alibaba Group
    Store: https://www.aliexpress.com/store/2188017

    [​IMG]

    You’ll also probably find that various plastic clips will break (ie brittle from age). I buy them in bundles, eg: 30 x Fit For Lexus Toyota Corolla Scuff Plate Retainer Trim Clips 18x14x9mm Fastener 90467 10161-in Auto Fastener & Clip from Automobiles & Motorcycles on Aliexpress.com | Alibaba Group

    30 pcs Nylon Cowl Fastener Push Type Retainer Clips 90467 07117 ,1990 on (17 x 9 x 7mm)-in Auto Fastener & Clip from Automobiles & Motorcycles on Aliexpress.com | Alibaba Group

    Do a search on AliExpress for a Toyota part number and you’ll find cheap options. For people in the US there will be local sources.

    For identifying part numbers I use TOYOTA | Japan Parts EU
     
    George W likes this.
  12. Skibob

    Skibob Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 14, 2018
    2,912
    1,494
    0
    Location:
    Northern California
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Great assumption. His Sig lists his location as Neptune, CA. The fact he figured people would know it’s a fictional location based on a TV show is odd.
     
    Raytheeagle likes this.
  13. Skibob

    Skibob Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 14, 2018
    2,912
    1,494
    0
    Location:
    Northern California
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    I’m thinking clock spring?
     
  14. MichaelN77

    MichaelN77 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 2, 2018
    57
    3
    1
    Location:
    Neptune, CA
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    Do not be jelly that I live in Neptune. Be glad I chose a place on Earth this time. I do not usually do that. :)
    Veronica Mars is a fantastic show everyone can get into. I am glad it is coming back. Disappointed that it will not be filmed in San Diego with all that amazing color lighting the show was known for and without any of the original sets. :(

    Still waiting to hear back if I can slit the payment on two different cards or not.

    Wow, so many different prying tools, these should come with vehicle where the tire changing tools are.
     
    #14 MichaelN77, Feb 11, 2019
    Last edited: Feb 11, 2019
  15. 2k1Toaster

    2k1Toaster Brand New Prius Batteries

    Joined:
    Feb 14, 2010
    6,035
    3,854
    0
    Location:
    Rocky Mountains
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    We don't do split payments in general. But if you email us, use the contact form, I can send you a custom PO for 2 things and pay that way.
     
    Raytheeagle likes this.
  16. MichaelN77

    MichaelN77 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 2, 2018
    57
    3
    1
    Location:
    Neptune, CA
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    Oh you actually work there. I already have over the weekend. My email address is pretty much the same as my screen name on here and Thank You.
     
  17. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 1, 2016
    11,251
    15,474
    0
    Location:
    Bay Area, California
    Vehicle:
    2019 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Plus
    He doesn’t just work there, he is the owner;).
     
    Skibob and Prodigyplace like this.
  18. George W

    George W Active Member

    Joined:
    Mar 12, 2018
    909
    510
    1
    Location:
    San Antonio
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    I prefer the nylon pry tools because you are prying on plastic parts.
     
  19. 2k1Toaster

    2k1Toaster Brand New Prius Batteries

    Joined:
    Feb 14, 2010
    6,035
    3,854
    0
    Location:
    Rocky Mountains
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    I don't think I see anything from someone that has your similar name/email. Email us directly at [email protected]

    We get A LOT of inquiries all the time.
     
  20. MichaelN77

    MichaelN77 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 2, 2018
    57
    3
    1
    Location:
    Neptune, CA
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    So in the mean time while I get this sorted I have been driving it normally off the highway. The fan is always running while I am driving. The battery is not going to explode or something, right?