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P0A80 - Replace Hybrid Battery Pack

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by JayMikey, Jun 6, 2019.

  1. JayMikey

    JayMikey New Member

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    Hi Everybody,

    I have a 2007 Prius with ~230k miles on it (owned since 2011). It's been a great car and has required very little maintenance/repair work. I'm new to posting here but have read so many of your helpful posts & comments over the years that I've owned the car...thank you to all the experts on here!

    I noticed over the past few weeks that my hybrid battery seemed to go into purple much more frequently and have also experienced the quick changes from purple to green and back. A few days ago I finally got the dreaded red triangle with the hybrid system warning. The car continued to drive fine as I was near home and didn't need to drive at all over 35mph. Once I got home I ran the OBDII and got the expected P0A80 from the Carista app and P0A80+P0130 from "Car Scanner" app...not really sure why Car Scanner shows that extra code.

    I guess my basic question is...Is there anything else I should consider/check on the car before going ahead and replacing the hybrid battery? Anyone have experience/opinions about Green Bean Battery? I hope to own the car for at least another 3-5 years.

    Let me know if there's any other information that might be helpful and thanks in advance!

    -Jay
     
  2. Skibob

    Skibob Senior Member

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    Go with Toyota factory new or @2k1Toaster. If you want to know about Green Bean Battery’s you can type their name into the search feature here. Just remember when your green been battery fails you need confirmation that it did from either a dealer or a shop to get a replacement. That’s not free.
     
    Raytheeagle and jerrymildred like this.
  3. 2k1Toaster

    2k1Toaster Brand New Prius Batteries

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    In your case, you have noticed the symptoms for a while. Then you got the car diagnosing the same thing you were thinking. It is likely that's the actual error. Especially with your mileage and age. If your 12v battery is weak, it can fake some symptoms. However that is less likely in your case.

    As @Skibob says, search the forum for Green Bean experiences. I get emails everyday from people who are replacing their GreenBean battery with my battery that is still "in warranty". They have a 5 year "warranty" that is useless. Your car is continually out of service and you have to pay diagnostic fees every few months to have it replaced.
     
  4. exstudent

    exstudent Senior Member

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    GreenCRAPPYBean is a HORRIBLE idea!
    upload_2019-6-6_22-24-31.png

    The BEST warranty is one you never use!
    The original HV Battery packs in the Gen2 (2004-2009) Prius were warranted for 8-10years by design. Toyota knows the vast majority will last 8-10years, minimizing their warranty liability.

    GreenCRAPPYBean Warranty:
    All suspected warranty claims must first be diagnosed by a repair shop or a Toyota dealership. TRANSLATION, YOU THE SUCKER HAVE TO PAY THE SHOP TO PROVE OUR FRANKENSTEIN BATTERY IS JUNK! REMEMBER, NO ONE WORKS FOR FREE!

    2k1Toaster's cylindrical modules are 100% NEW and cost $1600! All things being equal, a new part will always outlast a used part. You would NOT expect a used tire to outlast a NEW tire? Used/Remanufactured/Reconditioned HV Batteries are all USED batteries assembled using the best of the worst modules to make a battery pack. These packs will NOT outlast a NEW OEM HV pack.

    See Post#11 for OEM HV battery pricing online. Remember, no dealer ships the battery due to cost, so you will have to see if a local dealer will price match or come down from their asking price. You will also have to make sure the dealer will sell to you.
    Indianapolis area battery repair? | PriusChat
     
    #4 exstudent, Jun 7, 2019
    Last edited: Jun 7, 2019
    Skibob likes this.
  5. TMR-JWAP

    TMR-JWAP Senior Member

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    Is swapping the battery something you are going to perform yourself or are you going to have someone else do it?
     
  6. JayMikey

    JayMikey New Member

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    I'm reasonably handy and have done the vast majority of maintenance/repairs on the car myself but I do find working with that much voltage a tad unnerving. I guess it really just depends on which route I take. I have a dealer here that will sell the Toyota battery for $1600+tax if I want to go that route. They said labor would be ~$500 for the install. Is it worth the money to have them do it to get the 3 year warranty vs the 1 year warranty? On the off chance that I need warranty work done, can it be done at any Toyota dealer in the country? I'll probably only live in my current location for 1 more year. Sorry if that sounds like a silly question...I've just never dealt with service at a Toyota dealership or with a Toyota warranty. I avoid dealerships like the plague and have just used mom&pop hybrid shops for anything I didn't want to do on my own.
     
    #6 JayMikey, Jun 7, 2019
    Last edited: Jun 7, 2019
  7. exstudent

    exstudent Senior Member

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    Techstream is the OFFICIAL diagnostic and maintenance software made for Toyota/Lexus, and used at Toyota/Lexus dealerships. Bluetooth OBD2 readers and all the various apps for smartphones/tablets are junk: LIMITED code reading ability (can't read ALL codes) and can NOT do any maintenance (bleed brakes, engine compression check, activate CHRS pump, etc). Why waste money on a toy that limits what you can read and can't do maintenance?

    Get mini VCI w/ Techstream from Amazon ($25+). Doesn't matter who you buy from, as the cables likely come from the same one or two suppliers from panda land. Installation easiest on a Windows 32bit OS (XP, Vista, 7). Ask friends/family if they know someone in IT, as this person will likely have obsolete laptops laying around, and might be able to donate for free. B/C the software is hacked, recommended to install on a spare laptop; do not use this laptop for sensitive information (log in & passwords: email, bill payments, etc). This laptop is now your Toyota/Lexus diagnostic laptop. Mac install possible, you just need to search online.

    Should you stop driving a Toyota/Lexus, you can easily sell your Techstream laptop set-up. Private Sales | PriusChat
     
  8. Skibob

    Skibob Senior Member

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    That’s a good price for both the battery and the labor. I won’t comment on having the dealer do it though. That’s up to you.
     
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  9. exstudent

    exstudent Senior Member

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    $1600 is a GREAT price!

    $500 labor is almost 1/3 of the cost of the new OEM HV Battery. I would NOT do it it if was me. The OEM HV Batteries have proven to be surprisingly reliable for 8-10years. Should you decide to DIY, don't bring the core HV Battery. Easier to drive back w/ the core so you can see what items you have to transfer into the new HV Battery. Less stressful than attempting it in the parking lot.

    I am almost absolutely certain that warranty is on part only, NO labor (outside of maybe 6months/6k miles). So $500 will give you 2 additional years on the part after the first year. In the unlikely event the HV Battery fails in years 1-3, you would still have to pay for labor no matter what, unless the failure happened during the first 6months.
     
  10. JayMikey

    JayMikey New Member

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    Thanks to all for the responses/advice. I am definitely considering trying the OEM swap myself for the $1600+~$240 taxes. I'd consider having Toyota install the battery but I can't get a straight answer from them about what they would charge for labor. They've quoted $500-$800+ depending on when I've called and who answers the phone. When I ask for it in writing, they just don't respond to me. Frankly, I may actually trust myself to do the job more than them with the runaround they've give me and the uncertainty they seem to have whenever I as about it. I can take as much time as I need to make sure I do the job correctly myself (can go without the car for several days if needed).

    Do any of you know of any link to a video that shows an OEM swap? I'm mostly just curious about the exact steps for transferring over the ECU/electronics portion. All the videos I have watched so far just show either a swap of the entire combined unit or a swap of all the individual modules on to the original frame...no videos of an OEM swap where the ECU is moved over. I did read gatorglenn's write up of his swap and the pictures were helpful...would just really love to see a video of it being done if one exists out there.
     
  11. Phildo

    Phildo Active Member

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  12. Hadrian

    Hadrian Junior Member

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  13. Hadrian

    Hadrian Junior Member

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    Hi guys Hadrian here.
    Replaced 07 Prius battery with Green Bean 2 years ago and all is running fine.
    If it goes bad within 5 years they will replace free with certification from mechanic or Toyota.
    Probably run you $100.00.

    Small price to pay for 45 minute job in your driveway for $1,500.00 as opposed to dealer $3,500.
    Will even come on the weekend or your place of work.

    Regards,

    H
     
  14. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    good deal