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What to do… what to do. New battery needed!

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by NattieLight, May 20, 2022.

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  1. NattieLight

    NattieLight New Member

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    Hi guys!

    Would love your opinion here. I have a 2004 Prius and it has been the best car I’ve ever owned. Hardly any issues over the past 8 years I’ve had it. It has 217,000 miles. We use it to drive 40 miles, 5 days a week.

    Today the check engine light came on and it went into limp mode.

    These are the codes: P3000 P0A94 B7799 P0A80 and P3014.

    I’ve been told these all lead to the Hybrid Battery needing to be replaced. The shop has quoted me $2300 to fix it. The battery would have a 12 month/12,000 mile part and labor warranty. It would be an aftermarket refurbished type of battery. I forgot the name.

    My question: is it worth it? Does that seem fair? With having such minimal issues over 8 years - are a bunch more gonna hit me after I replace the battery? Maybe. Maybe not. I know I won’t find a used car close to that price now and I’m really not wanting a 15k car payment.

    What would you do?
     
  2. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

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    Many people including me bought a NewPriusBattery. That’s the name of the company owned by a priuschat long time member. Brand new cylindrical cells you install. Ran perfect in my car.

    was $1600 for the kit not sure now or if in stock. I would not spend $2300;on a rebuild forget that it’s garbage.
     
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  3. Wrecit

    Wrecit Active Member

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    I agree with Ed about the price on the refurb. That is what I paid for a project lithium upgrade last week.

    It's being reported that OEM new across the country are on long back order. I do agree with Ed also that the NPB is a great option ($1600 plus tax and shipping) but I was told they are currently waiting their next shipment (please contact them to verify)

    I do know that as of right now project lithium still has some new stock still available. Your other option is to look at some of the refurb companies who will give unlimited miles warranty.

    I know we have several members here in your area of the country (Idaho) so if you may not be comfortable doing the diy work maybe one of these fine gentlemen can offer some assistance
     
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  4. Another

    Another Senior Member

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    People on the forum often say the DIY on a new lithium battery is not brain surgery if you’re capable so that is a good option to consider if they are available.

    Unless you’re a DIY person or knows someone that is capable, and you expect to keep the car for another two or more years, I’d go with OEM from Toyota if it’s available. Replacement of a good used Prius is expensive these days. Call around to Toyota dealers. Not sure where in Idaho you are. May not be too many OEM at the moment in your area.

    Another option is the GreenTec, not the often confused GreenBean battery.

    A $2250 GreenTec battery is rebuilt with all NEW high capacity NiMH cells and comes with a four year unlimited miles warranty. If you’re on the west side of Idaho their closest shop for installs is Portland or Seattle. They will ship it to you for DIY but then you have to get it installed and do the core return.
    See 2004-2009 Toyota Prius Gen 2 Hybrid Battery, Unlimited Mileage Warranty | Greentec Auto
    I’ve not bought any of the Greentec for a Prius but they did install one for me on a 2007 Camry a few years ago and it still works great. Their prices have increased recently and if the OEM is now in short supply they may again, because they can.
     
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  5. NattieLight

    NattieLight New Member

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    Thank you so much, all of you. I am so lost and don’t know what to do. I’m in Utah I need to change that. Not sure how it got Idaho. The mechanic I went to was saying the new ones aren’t available.

    I’m going to get a second opinion from a Toyota dealership next week. I don’t think this is something I can do myself. I’m too nervous to try. But the labor cost wasn’t too bad. If I can just find a good battery.

    What about just replacing the bad cells in my current battery, is that an option? I’m not sure.
     
  6. NattieLight

    NattieLight New Member

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    What about those online sites that claim they can get a battery, they will come to you and install it for your for free? Are they real? Reliable? Like Green Bean and the other one I see now, best hybrid batteries? They claim to have great warranties and batteries and it’s like $1400?
     
  7. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    A few years back dealerships would put a new Toyota battery in, with 3 year warranty, for about that money? Maybe some still do??

    Consider the New Prius Battery too. In the States shipping is free. I'm not so lucky up here, but might still consider it. Too, for people (like me) just north of the US border, there are post box services, just south of the line.
     
    #7 Mendel Leisk, May 22, 2022
    Last edited: May 22, 2022
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  8. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    it's hard to say on a car that old. with prices the way they are right now though, i would likely spend the 2k if i could find a new battery.
     
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  9. ColoradoCrow

    ColoradoCrow Active Member

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    So. Yesterday I walked into the Olathe Toyota parts department and talked with a guy
    A new Toyota battery was $2134.00 out the door with tax The core charge was a whopping $1,350. But is refunded when you bring it back. I was told I would have to talk to the service manager to convince him that I had the skill set to install a battery. With used car prices right now I would keep and replace the battery.
     
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  10. Another

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  11. Another

    Another Senior Member

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    Interestingly I see now at least one other previously just repair your battery or sell you a remanufactured battery shop are now offering a Toyota OEM battery installed with a three year warranty. Do t know of any I. Your area though.

    BTW Greentec also offers cheaper options with other than all new cells. If your driving distance from the in Las Vegas I’d call them and ask what they suggest based on your budget and how long you intend to keep the car.
     
  12. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

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    I use Olathe Parts Online exclusively for parts. They are the best. If there giving you the third degree on your skills that means they will never ship it. I don't blame them they don't want to sell it to somebody and have him hurt themselves. Plus shipping would kill the OP.
     
    #12 edthefox5, May 22, 2022
    Last edited: May 22, 2022
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  13. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    The "whopping $1350" doesn't matter, it comes back to you in short order. What would installed be, $300~500? Besides not getting your hands dirty/cut, screwing up your back, the trepidation factor and so on: it was (and still is?) upping the warranty to 3 years. And eliminates the finger-pointing that might ensue, if you DIY and something doesn't go right.
     
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  14. barbie.gee

    barbie.gee Junior Member

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    I'm in a similar situation as OP; 2005 Prius, about 87k miles on it. Red Triangle of Death, Check Engine, and the (O) with exclamation point in it. ODBII said P0A80, but I only limped home and had a neighbor pull the code for me.

    The car is still good mechanically, but I've got some scratches and dings that are going to cost to fix, not something that can just be buffed out. I've been dreaming about a new car, but then the Covids... I'd like to keep the car running another 6 months, not sure if I want to push it through another Chicago winter, though. I've considered just swapping the bad cells, but someone reminded me that it's just a matter of time for more cells to go out.

    I figure if I sell it or trade it in 6-12 months, will having a replacement OEM or an off brand replacement really make a difference? 3 yr warranty, or go cheap with a 1 yr. warranty? VERY hard to decide what's best to do, other than keeping it running for another year +/-.
     
  15. alftoy

    alftoy Senior Member

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    87K? Why not call Eric Powers a trusted PriusChat member, I'm sure he would be more than happy to discuss your situation.

    EV Powers Hybrid Battery Service and Repair
    Your Hybrid Battery Hero
    Madison, WI
    [email protected]
    608-729-4082
    Facebook: EV Powers Hybrid Battery Service and Repair

    Have you read this thread regards a Rockford Ill. member getting scammed on a deliver and install replacement battery.

    Prius battery finally died after 10 years and 220,000 miles | PriusChat
     
  16. barbie.gee

    barbie.gee Junior Member

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    Thanks! I've been researching and pondering since Friday, and I think I have to stop ruminating and get this done.

    I looked at GreenBean and GreenTec. They both do remote installs, and only one has a "local" brick-and-mortar" location an hour away. With the Prius in "limp" mode, I don't want to make that kind of a drive.

    I found a guy, Volts Hybrid Batteries, that's about 3 miles away (or around 10-15 minutes, as Chicagoans measure distance in time, not miles! :) ). I've made an appointment. They've been in business since 2016.
    I'll update after the work is done.
     
    #16 barbie.gee, May 23, 2022
    Last edited: May 23, 2022
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  17. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

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    The hybrid doctor in Virginia offered me a rack of sales for $560 plus tax I think all balanced and within three Delta when I got up there I was driving my other car and because I didn't have the car that I wanted the battery to go in he just sold me the complete battery for the same money and took the core that I had with me to give him so I think I got a pretty smoking deal and the battery works very well I'm very happy with it if I get 2 years out of it that's fine maybe then project lithium will be back in stock on a normal basis and we can do something else or maybe it'll last longer than that so you can do something like that I don't know where you are and nobody ever says where they are if you're down here in the southeast United States you can do something for around 700 bucks be back on the road making that 40 MI trip twice a day or whatever it is you're doing
     
  18. Wrecit

    Wrecit Active Member

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    Tom if you check profile most list at least their state. She is in Idaho or I would also have recommended hybrid doctor. He actually drives all over the east coast installing. I think it cost a whole $700 for him to drive up to Pittsburgh and install mine last year at 11pm in 20 degree weather (God bless)

    If you have a combo meter go out he will do his best to squeeze you in on his battery install trips also (did both of my Prius)
     
  19. AzusaPrius

    AzusaPrius Senior Member

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    Check my profile page for the Lithium link.

    Best upgrade you could do to your prius.
     
  20. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

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    Google eyoyoo I think that's right