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I just got a Prius! (And now I have to work on it!)

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by Isaac Zachary, Jul 16, 2020.

  1. chronon

    chronon Active Member

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    yes the discharge/recharge does bring back somewhat a dead battery , however, if any cells within a module have reversed polarity ,
    its an excercise in futility - u can determine this by seeing live-time coverage of block status with the torque app - a quick call to an expert on this like user 'eric-becky' will help set u up*maybe even a utube video on this * - you get the dongle , u get the app (android only), u get wifi or blue tooth connecting, then you have to add a voltage block widget, yes one for every block (, it is tedious, but seeing the voltage in real time lets u understand a bad block, perhaps a bad communications connector or corrroded block connector/harness ...
     
    #21 chronon, Jul 29, 2020
    Last edited: Jul 29, 2020
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  2. Isaac Zachary

    Isaac Zachary Senior Member

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    Well today I got my OBD II Bluetooth thing-a-McBob. I got the Torque app to work and scanned a couple codes. DTC P0a80 and there are two pending codes; that same one and P0420. I'll look more into it later when I have the chance.

    Edit/Update:

    I looked up those codes and did see "Replace battery" code, and "Catalyst inefficient" code. The owner told me about the catalyitc converter code. So now I just need to see what I can do with the P0A80 DTC.

    I already mentioned perhaps getting a Prolong Charger in Prolong charger | PriusChat
     
    #22 Isaac Zachary, Jul 29, 2020
    Last edited: Jul 29, 2020
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  3. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace Senior Member

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    Hybrid Automotive themselves say you can use their system before you get the code. You will likely need to replace one or more modules but they sell used ones too.
     
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  4. Isaac Zachary

    Isaac Zachary Senior Member

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  5. fotomoto

    fotomoto Senior Member

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    This behavior is the car trying to protect itself and give the driver enough emergency power to navigate to the a safe place to stop. Basically stop driving this vehicle till it gets fixed.

    There are two types of gen2 owners: those that have replaced the HV battery and those that will. You have a failed HV battery (it keeps telling you that). The modules in that 06 are now 15 years old.

    The next questions are how reliable do you need the repair to be, the length of time it needs to work/reliable, and the costs (direct and indirect) required to meet those requirements. One needs to account for the indirect costs of failures/downtime: safety while driving, missing work, not having transportation, trips, etc.

    Your options from least to most in terms of costs and reliability (funny how that works):

    1) Do nothing and sell the car (like the PO did)
    2) DIY repair the failed modules (wack-a-mole)
    3) Grid charging the old pack (too late for an 06 IMO)
    4) Buy a cheap local rebuilt battery (often marketed as "new")
    5) DIY repair + grid charging
    5.1) Buy/find a good used OEM battery
    6) Buy a national rebuilt battery (often marketed as "new")
    7) Buy ALL new aftermarket (Chinese) modules (cells), DIY install (owner responsible for old pack)
    8) Buy a new OEM battery (DIY install and return old pack to Toyota for $1350 core charge refund)
    9) Buy a new OEM battery (dealer does everything)

    GOOD LUCK!
     
    #25 fotomoto, Jul 30, 2020
    Last edited: Jul 30, 2020
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  6. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace Senior Member

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    You missed one option. Buy a used battery from a low mileage junked Prius.
     
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  7. fotomoto

    fotomoto Senior Member

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    Good point! Those packs ( gen2's) can be so rare nowadays that I forgot about that option. Added.
     
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  8. Isaac Zachary

    Isaac Zachary Senior Member

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  9. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace Senior Member

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    Modules from a Gen 3 pack will work or from a NiMH Gen 4. Trim Two and, I think, Trim One
     
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  10. Isaac Zachary

    Isaac Zachary Senior Member

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    Thanks! That's good to know!
    What about Camry and Avalon modules?? I guess I better look those up too since I didn't know about the different generation Prii modules being interchangeable.
     
  11. fotomoto

    fotomoto Senior Member

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    Yeah, I thought about those too but decided not to go down that rabbit hole.......

    For example:
    :)
     
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  12. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace Senior Member

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    I do not know. I know the experts here and others have used the Gen 4 NiMH modules in a Gen 2. The Gen 4 modules are claimed to use a higher quality Nickel
     
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  13. Isaac Zachary

    Isaac Zachary Senior Member

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    This is making me want to take apart my Avalon's battery and compare them now. o_O
    Anyhow, I just ordered a 1V-15V programable battery discharge capacity testor and a Tenergy 7.2V NiMh battery charger. When I get them I'll order some modules off of eBay. I saw a 5 pack of Gen 3 modules for $120. I want to have a way to test them in case I get sent a bunch of duds and need to return them. I'd also like to test all my modules and replace any I deem as not as good as average.
     
  14. dolj

    dolj Senior Member

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    Be aware that with ordering Gen 3 modules you might end up with modules that are much better than the 14-year-old modules that will remain after you do a swap. Having a much better module will only cause you problems. When the guys are talking about using Gen 3 and Gen 4 modules up-post, they are talking about replacing all the modules from the new pack into the old case.

    Looking at the table you quoted above:
    You rightly point out a problem with block 11. One of the modules has a failed cell and needs to be replaced. Replace the module with another of like capacity, balance the battery and you are good to go.
     
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  15. Isaac Zachary

    Isaac Zachary Senior Member

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    Thanks! I will try to match modules then. I do wonder where or how to get matching modules. I guess just trying a few from eBay.

    On that note, I got my 7.2V NiMH battery charger in today. I'm still waiting on some insulating gloves and a discharge capacity tester before I tear down the HV battery. I may end up buying a few more chargers and testers so I can test the whole battery, module by module, in less time.

    Also, I want to include in my budget money set aside for a future new HV battery. Right now I'm leaning towards an OEM HV battery.
     
  16. dolj

    dolj Senior Member

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    Like I said that is the hard part. eBay is one way but very hit and miss IMHO. Once you have them you would need to test them yourself (charge/discharge/charge/load test) to evaluate whether they are good enough. You might be better to try @ericbecky or Hybrid Automotive. At least they will care enough to not sell you trash. They will likely not be the cheapest, but they will be better quality when compared to random eBay sellers.
     
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  17. Isaac Zachary

    Isaac Zachary Senior Member

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    Today a new code popped up... DTC P3021... "Weak block 11."
    I guess we were right! Weren't we? ;)
    I'm still waiting on some stuff to come in to properly disassemble the HV battery and replace the bad module.
     
  18. chronon

    chronon Active Member

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    i've been down this road as have many others,
    you will get some time out of the cell replacement, -- but it wont last too long ... like if u get more than 3 months
    that will be surprising - you're never gonna get a module of the same age, use , chemistry ,etc of the originals u are attempting to match up with ... but play whack a mole and do your dues ... get your temp fix in and monitor your voltages with TORQUE ..
    look at the temp too ... i think there are 3 temp sensors on the hybrid bat , u should be able to get at least one hybrid bat temp on torque
    --
     
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  19. Isaac Zachary

    Isaac Zachary Senior Member

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    Wow! Only 3 months! That's discouraging! I was hoping to get at least a year or so by replacing the bad modules and reconditioning the whole battery.

    But at any rate the inevitable will come some day. I have a hard time justifying getting an entire used battery at the prices I keep seeing. If a new dealer battery goes for nearly $1,800, a used battery should fit in a prorated price from that IMO. If these batteries last, at best, 15 years, a 7 year battery should be less than $900. A 10 year battery should less than $600, with shipping included. But if ten-year-old 2010 batteries are going for $900-$1000, that seems like a waste of money. I might as well as cough up the big bucks and get a new one IMO.
     
  20. Isaac Zachary

    Isaac Zachary Senior Member

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    So looking for opinions here. As I'm pricing parts for the front end damage I get to around $800 for just the hood, lamp assmbly, left fender and bumper cover if I get them from the dealer. Or about $500 if I get them aftermarket. I was wondering if anyone else had an opinion about if OEM body parts are worth the extra $300 or not. In my own experience they are. I've had terrible luck with aftermarket body parts not fitting and such. But maybe someone else has had a different experience. I just thought I'd ask before ordering.
    IMG_20200808_122431.jpg
    The windshield needs replaced. I've replaced windshilds several times but I might have a shop do it. The last time I replaced a windshield myself I got a rock chip in it the very next day and cracked it. Most places charge 3 times the price than just the glass, but at least have a guarantee.

    I'm also ordering an engine block heater from here on Priuschat. I got an idea to keep the car from starting while plugged in. I need to replace the block heater cord on the Avalon too and do the same mod since I've driven off too many times without unplugging it.

    The Prius also needs the cat cleaned out or replaced. I'm going to take it off and soak it in water and laundry detergent. I think if I make a plug of some sort I can prop it up and fill 'er up and let it soak. A new OEM cat would be as expensive, if not more expensive than a new OEM HV battery.