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2005 P0A80 with 160K miles

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by atlsud, May 16, 2019.

  1. atlsud

    atlsud Junior Member

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    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    II
    I purchased this Prius last year and was told the HV battery was replaced with a Dorman several years back. Was performing very well until I got the P0A08 a few days ago.

    I I ordered the Veepeak bluetooth reader for my IOS and Dr Prius app and have the results below.

    The first is after trying to run the full battery test where it was telling me to accelerate hard and break hard. The test was unsuccessful because I didn't realize that the hard acceleration needed to go over 45mph.

    [​IMG]

    Definitely looks like module #7 will need replacing. The internal resistance numbers look alarming but I think that is due in part to the very hard accelerations during the testing. You can see the battery tems are very high as well.

    The second picture is a few hours later at a more leisurely drive and parked.

    [​IMG]

    I will be replacing the module #7 without any discharge/charge conditioning as I don't have the necessary tools. I will make sure the voltage of the new module will match the ones in the pack. Hopefully, this get me a few months of trouble free driving. I have 2 modules on order from eBay from a seller that looks to have sold a lot of Prius modules with good feedback and a 6 month warranty.


    I have read about 20 hours worth of threads and understand that this will be a temporary fix. I just need to get back on the road while I investigate a cost friendly option for a battery charger/discharger that will do more than 1 battery at a time. Some of the chargers I see people using are almost $200. Any recommendations would be appreciated.
     
  2. 2k1Toaster

    2k1Toaster Brand New Prius Batteries

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    You recognize this is a temporary option. I don't understand why your would throw more money away on buying all this equipment to recondition a crappy pack.

    The pack may be under warranty, so before you open it up, contact Dorman.

    If it's not under warranty, clear the codes, order a new battery, and swap it out when you have the chance. You should have a few weeks to months of driving with the failed battery as long as you know it has failed and drive it properly for those conditions. Try not to use the battery especially when not in Stage-4. Reverse into all parking spots so that you aren't using the battery right at the beginning of your drive by reversing out. Mash the pedal to get the engine to spin up and then gradually accelerate, mashing as needed to kick the engine back on. Don't drive on the battery alone. Running the heater helps as that will force the engine on. Roll the windows down, turn on the heater. Don't use the AC. That type of thing.
     
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  3. atlsud

    atlsud Junior Member

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    While some may opt to invest $1500 into a 15 year old car I'm not one of those people. Spending $50 on a few modules and learning something new in the process is more my style. There are people that have had success conditioning their battery packs with a few modules replaced. In the end I'll still have the battery charger/conditioner and the experience to help others or myself with another hybrid vehicle.

    When you think about it, spending $1500 on a "new" or new battery pack is also a temporary solution as that will fail some point.
     
    bisco likes this.
  4. 2k1Toaster

    2k1Toaster Brand New Prius Batteries

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    Having to buy a bunch of equipment to hobble along and do this repair every few weeks or couple months is a terrible use of time unless your time is free because you're a student or retired. Other than that it's a waste. If you don't want to fix it, sell it and buy a new car.

    If you already have the equipment to balance and recondition batteries then it's a better story. But picture this... Dorman, the makers of the battery that failed in your vehicle so soon, have millions of dollars of equipment (literally, they wrote articles about it) and have tens of thousands of battery modules to pick from to get batteries that are similar in capacity, internal resistance, and then voltage. And they still have trouble making a pack last 6 months.

    What do you think your odds of success are when your pool of battery modules is 1 or 2 from eBay with zero equipment and are only using the least important factor to match (voltage)? Pretty close to zero.

    I know it is not what you want to hear, but someone needs to stop you before you go down this rabbit hole and blow a bunch of time and money. If you want to do it because you find it fun and cool, then go for it! I personally love doing that sort of thing. I also have lots of equipment to do it properly and lots of costly house upgrades to support the power requirements to do it. But I did it because I like to do it. I did not do it to save money or time. As long as you approach it as a hobby and you are OK with driving an unpredictable vehicle that can leave you stranded at any point anytime, then go for it. I also drive one of those cars (the DeLorean) so I am also OK with that. But I am fully aware that it can die at any point.

    If you need your vehicle to work, then don't do this. Just go buy a new battery or a new car.
     
    James1964 and exstudent like this.
  5. fotomoto

    fotomoto Senior Member

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    You can easily sell the new pack for good money once the car is toast. There will always be future buyers who are in the same situation.

    Let’s say $1600 for a new pack for 2 years of use and sell for $900 afterwards when the transaxle goes out. That’s $29 a month.

    Once you’ve pulled the pack a few times playing wack-a-mole and having no vehicle for several days or even weeks each time, having a reliable solution makes a lot more sense/cents.

    YMMV
     
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  6. exstudent

    exstudent Senior Member

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    Would you buy new tires or used tires for this vehicle that is old, essentially worth $zero?

    If you have more than two cents to rub together, A new HV Battery gives you lots of options!
    1) You can always transfer this HV Battery into a younger Gen2 with a failed HV Battery.
    2) You can transfer the modules into a Gen3 Prius case.
    3) You can always sell this Good HV Battery pack, that will realistically outlast any of the Frankenstein used/rebuilt/remanufactured HV Battery packs out there w/ a “warranty.”
    4) I disagree w/ fotomoto. I bet you could get a little bit more than $900 for a OEM HV Pack that is only 2 years old! Why? If Frankenstein HV pa is are getting this, would you not pay maybe $200 more for a product that has proven to last 8-10+ years?

    As 2k1Toaster has said earlier, if its a hobby, ENJOY! If you need this Prius to be reliable vehicle for work, get a new HV pack or a new/used car.

    Your definition of "New" is abnormal. Most people understand NEW to be 100% virgin materials, never used (put into service). When your Prius was new, the original HV Battery has proven to be reliable, lasting 8-10+ years! Some people get less than 8 years (not many). Some get to 10years (probably most). The fortunate few get 10+ years (I'm on year 12 w/ the original OEM battery that came w/ the car). A new OEM HV Battery will likely give you another 8-10 years of service; that is a long time in my book.

    Read post #9 & #10 to get some perspective on new vs used. Also, post #9 contains link of a member who got a NEW OEM HV Battery for $1699!
    Those who can't get a Toyota dealer to sell to them, esp at a reasonable price, or live FAR from a dealer, 2k1Toaster's cylindrical HV modules are an excellent option. NewPriusBatteries

    Ultimately, your car, your money, your time. Remember, time is the most precious resource; you can not earn more of it. You can earn more money: spend less, save more, get a 2nd job, get a pay raise, sell things.
     
    #6 exstudent, May 16, 2019
    Last edited: May 17, 2019
  7. atlsud

    atlsud Junior Member

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    @2k1Toaster Quick question on the new battery. Do you require my old battery in return or is that mine to keep?

    How much all in (shipping etc.) to Atlanta for a Gen2?

    Thanks !
     
  8. 2k1Toaster

    2k1Toaster Brand New Prius Batteries

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    No you keep your old battery. But the only parts you will have "extra" are the old modules, bus bars and plastics. No core charge, nothing to return.

    Shipping is free to Georgia as is anywhere in the continental USA. I'll actually be there in 12 hours or so. Hopefully not too muggy yet...
     
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  9. atlsud

    atlsud Junior Member

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    Dorman would not warranty the pack as I didn't have the original purchase receipt. My new 2k1 modules are scheduled for 5/28 delivery.

    If anyone is interested in some battery modules in bulk PM me. I'm thinking that only one of the 28 modules is toast. The 27 should be good to recondition.
     
  10. 2k1Toaster

    2k1Toaster Brand New Prius Batteries

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    Seems like they always a reason why their "awesome warranty" doesn't apply.

    I also have the contact of a company in Tennessee that will buy your modules for about half the market rate but they're easy. You don't have to do anything yourself.
     
  11. James1964

    James1964 Member

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    I recently did receive a replacement battery from Dorman under warranty. My mechanic, who sold me the car, handled all communications with Dorman as he was the purchaser of record. I was surprised/ highly satisfied to be able to successfully swap out- in the HV battery with about 3 sockets and some very well done you tube play by play videos. I was ready to pull the trigger on @2k1Toaster new battery if this Dorman wasn't free. Car is running great but of course, it's uncertain the life of any refurb but I'm glad to know I can do this job myself.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.