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On Site Mechanic to Replace Battery Cell - Los Angeles

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by Kactus, May 12, 2020.

  1. Kactus

    Kactus Junior Member

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    hello-

    we've had a 2004 prius and it's been amazing. recently got the red triangle though and after some diagnostics from a mechanic one of the cells is bad and needs replacing.

    shops charge way a lot for this and I flirted with the idea of doing it myself since it's relatively straight forward but ultimately prefer to have someone do it. of course there are plenty of shops in LA that could do it but I'm looking for a non-pro mechanic or someone who's done this to swap a cell either at my place or theirs.

    hope this doesn't go against rules of prius chat? please let me know if it does and I'll delete.

    thanks!

    john
     
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    welcome!
    you do realize it is only a temporary fix?
     
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  3. ericbecky

    ericbecky Hybrid Battery Hero

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    Sometimes you get lucky and a bandaid slapped on a bleeding aorta works....but mostly not.

    Expect to pay $350 or so for the job.

    Is that in your price range?
     
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  4. Kactus

    Kactus Junior Member

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    thank u! happy to b here... so you mean until another one (cell) goes? hmm good point. I did find a shop who would do complete regeneration of all cells w/ 15k warranty for $800. weighing options.

    certainly in my price range but I appreciate your comment which jibes w bisco that it's a temp fix.
     
    #4 Kactus, May 12, 2020
    Last edited by a moderator: May 13, 2020
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  5. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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  6. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    I'm close to Los Angeles and I can help you with this task. You tell me which one to switch out and I'll switch it out for you. I'll show you how to take everything apart, just in case you need to do it yourself.....in the near future
     
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  7. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    Hope you have been sheltering well;).

    Forgot what cabin fever was like since being out here on the best coast:).

    Stay safe down there(y).
     
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  8. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    I don't shelter in place, I go to work everyday in my office for 1. But staying safe......

    The amount of free money going around from the government, sometimes I wonder why anyone would want to go back to work
     
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  9. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    I'm essential personnel sometime, but I've made sure my #2 is now taking that position for me:).

    The joy of delegation;).

    But when home, I function with the wife as a teacher for our 2 kids:eek:.

    Sometimes work ain't so bad(y).
     
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  10. Kactus

    Kactus Junior Member

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    thanks for the super helpful post.

    btw I also have an old bmw wagon and have never received on the bimmer boards such immediate and useful responses as on this board. so thanks again to all responders.

    thanks and doing well here. I work from home so transition not so difficult :)

    cheers! I'm leaning on getting a full regeneration at a shop since I first posted. if anything changes I'll check back with you.

    btw i watched several how to's on youtube and have a general idea of how to do it but the DC current danger is the decider to leave it to someone else. :whistle:
     
    #10 Kactus, May 13, 2020
    Last edited by a moderator: May 13, 2020
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  11. ericbecky

    ericbecky Hybrid Battery Hero

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    I'll put in another vote for Avi's if you want to have someone else do it.

    Honest, knowledgeable, hybrid mechanic.

    If you decide to swap a module yourself I'm happy to sell one and walk you through the process.

    If you go slowly and purposefully you should be fine. If you drink while working in it plus let the cat crawl around as well, then all bets are off.

    Feel free to contact me at 608-729-4082 if you want to talk things through.
     
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  12. Kactus

    Kactus Junior Member

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    thanks appreciate that. just tried Avi's and google says it's "permanently closed" the phone was out of commission too. if anyone has another contact email for him that'd be great. cheers-
     
  13. ericbecky

    ericbecky Hybrid Battery Hero

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    Hybrid Fix
    Hybrid Fix

    You can see folks mentioning Avi in the reviews
     
  14. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    There really are no good "options".
    Cells can NOT be regenerated after they are that old.
    Anything you do that does not include all NEW (not used) cells is just back to that bandaid again.

    Have you considered that it might be time to trade ?
    That is an option.
     
  15. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    This probably is NOT a good use of your money.
    Find out EXACTLY what "regeneration" means and then post that here before you go that route.
     
  16. Kactus

    Kactus Junior Member

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    thanks for the thoughts. I found a guy who gives a 15k mile warranty on a battery refurbish for $800. with my amount of driving that'll cover me w/ the battery for at least 2 years. the rest of the car been kept up to date w service and it's a toyota so feels like a reasonable approach.
     
  17. Kactus

    Kactus Junior Member

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    ahh great. google had a different address and phone listed. and this address closer to me. cheers!
     
  18. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    I hope you don't regret this decision later
     
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  19. Kactus

    Kactus Junior Member

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    we'll see!
     
  20. Kactus

    Kactus Junior Member

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    Screen Shot 2020-05-17 at 7.56.32 PM.png Screen Shot 2020-05-17 at 7.56.46 PM.png Screen Shot 2020-05-17 at 7.56.56 PM.png
    btw these are 3 readings from the battery while idling. obviously #5 is shot. anyway to determine from these the relative health of the others? do cells die instantly or do they degrade gradually?

    my calculus with a mechanic is thus:

    - can't afford new car or new battery given the corona.

    - i prefer not to do the swap myself given the voltage danger. I appreciate the offer of assistance though :)

    - so rates quoted to swap (1) cell is $375-$495.

    - a rate for "regeneration" of all cells is $800 which comes with a 15k miles warranty. I understand "regeneration" doesn't mean new but still i'd essentially be paying about $400 more for a warranty which will last me 2 years.

    unless anyone see something definitive from these readings i'm 90% sure I'll get the full regen swap.

    thanks again for everyone who's chimed in here. much appreciate it.