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How screwed am I? Battery issue.

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by 2Fats, Jun 13, 2021.

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  1. 2Fats

    2Fats Member

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    I got back to my Prius today and uncovered it to go to the store.

    Almost immediately after starting it, I got the Red triangle of death. I plugged the OBDII in (I hate the Carista one btw) and reset it. I had the Hybrid Battery and Catalyst. I've had the Cat throwing a code for the past few months, so I know I'm about to replace it. I'm debating on the direction to go with it.

    The battery, I put the car in drive, foot on brake and foot on the throttle, charged er up, reset the code, and went to town, keeping an eye on things. Once the battery dropped to a bar on the display, the red triangle came back on. I reset again and didn't have an issue all the way to town.

    Then, on the way back from the store the lights came on again, but this time the car seemed to disconnect from the battery. The engine was working harder than normal for sure, revving higher and the display doesn't show any power flow to the batteries, which stayed at one bar. When I ran the codes, it has some new ones that seem related to the battery.

    What am I about to be in for? The car is in Michigan, and I live in Missouri. I could limp it down to AutoBeYours, and stay in a motel for a few days while it gets repaired. I told the wife, and she's telling me to dump it and get another Prius, but I really like this car and would like to keep it
    . 201117413_4386526281371179_6106934236813420113_n.png 201134530_189882566383820_5380765157521552449_n.jpg
     
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    you have some options:

    replace cells: whack a mole

    replace cells and balance: semi whack a mole

    install salvage: some risk

    install reconditioned: risky

    install new cells: final solution

    install new oem battery: final solution
     
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  3. royrose

    royrose Senior Member

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    How many miles and what condition overall?
     
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  4. 2Fats

    2Fats Member

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    It's at 180,000 miles. I take excellent care of it, but it does sit for months at a time at work.

    I just replaced the struts, no rust, new tires. Leather interior no cracks etc.
     
  5. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    that's hard on both batteries. prius weren't designed to sit. only a new battery will put up with that
     
  6. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace Senior Member

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    The kit of new cells is $1600 delivered and basically gives you a new battery for less than an OEM one. @2k1Toaster here works daily with rechargeable batteries so he was sure to spec this well. The link to newpriusbatteries.com is in my signature.
     
  7. royrose

    royrose Senior Member

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    In that case one of the last 2 on Bisco's list would be worth it.
     
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  8. 2Fats

    2Fats Member

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    OK. I'm ordering one from him. It helps support someone here, and shipping is free to work. :)

    Is the engine "revving" and seeming to work more due to the battery problem, or is it a separate problem that I also need to address?
     
  9. 2Fats

    2Fats Member

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    ... Wonder if my wife would notice me adding the lift kit from Prius Offroad to the card...

    Not that it matters, I'm a man, I do what I want. (When she lets me.)
     
  10. 2Fats

    2Fats Member

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    I got a new one ordered. I wonder if I can talk the maintenance guys at the plant into swapping them out for me.

    "Hey, can one of you guys change a battery for me?"
     
  11. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace Senior Member

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    If you contact them they could probably send you the instructions. I assume you are wanting to pay the maintenance guys to do it on their personal time. Otherwise it is stealing from the company that is paying them.
     
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  12. mr_guy_mann

    mr_guy_mann Senior Member

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    The engine revving is a common symptom of a bad HV battery. The battery cannot supply power for normal acceleration like the car was designed for, so the little 1.5L has to work harder to get the car going.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
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  13. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    It's fairly easy to put in a new hybrid battery pack... I can do it in about 2 hours... There's lots of youtube videos that show you how to do it.
     
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  14. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace Senior Member

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    Building the NewPriusBatteries pack? That is different than just a battery pack swap.
     
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  15. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    yea... maybe an additional hour or so for those, but if you find the right person to do it for you, they'll enjoy how fun it is to put together.
     
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  16. 2Fats

    2Fats Member

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    I'm sorry, I was kidding and it didn't come across. I've got a strange sense of humor. And really, they live in the breakroom. They don't want to do the work they are supposed to be doing, do we really think they will do stuff to my car with no incentive? ;)
     
  17. 2Fats

    2Fats Member

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    Yea, I'm excited about putting it together and getting it in the car. I really wish I hadn't left my sockets and drill at home, but I could always use another set. :) I think I'm going to do it at the motel. Work is as dusty as a Southwest Texas farm right now.
     
  18. 2Fats

    2Fats Member

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    And I need to figure out what to do with the old battery packs as well. Any ideas on that? I was planning on driving down to AutoBeYours one weekend to get some parts I need. I wonder if they take cores.

    Or, is there someone in Michigan that could use them?
     
  19. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    To do the job you need a screwdriver gun/socket adapter on it... A 8mm, 10mm, 12mm, & 14mm socket, some needle nose pliers and regular pliers and watch lots of youtube videos. As for the old pack, it's worth good money once that bad module is replaced.
     
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  20. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace Senior Member

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    Make sure you get an inch-pound torque wrench for the terminals. The torque, although low, is fussy,
     
    #20 Prodigyplace, Jun 14, 2021
    Last edited: Jun 15, 2021
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