1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

URGENT! Need assistance, Hybrid System warning light on after installing refurbished battery.

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Joanna_01, Jun 9, 2022.

  1. Joanna_01

    Joanna_01 New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 9, 2022
    1
    0
    0
    Location:
    Los Angeles
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    Base
    Hi everyone, I’m new here! Unsure of where to post so bare with me. I own a 2008 Prius (180k) and it recently started giving me the triangle of death along with the Battery warning light. Took it to the mechanic where they suggested to switch out the battery, which they did, I payed 900$ for that replacement. When I picked it up the car seemed fine, few hours passed by and I turn on my Car to run an errand and the triangle of death came back with the hybrid system warming light! I plan on calling them tomorrow but would like to see if anyone has any ideas or suggestions, would like to be more knowledgeable as I feel the mechanic did not really take me seriously. :(
     
  2. SFO

    SFO Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 7, 2017
    5,286
    4,225
    0
    Location:
    Northern California
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Welcome to PriusChat!!
    Generally speaking, when there are warning lights being displayed on the dash, there will be codes (DTCs) stored in the ECUs (computers).

    By using an OBD2 code scanner (preferably a hybrid compatible device), you can retrieve these codes and get an idea of what the issue might be. Most auto parts stores and chains will offer an OBD2 scan for free, though not all scanners are hybrid compatible, so best to try out all of the free scans, even within the same chain. Be sure to write down the codes, then post them here for further guidance.

    If that fails, then visit your current used HV battery machanic, let them do a scan, and then you can post the OBD2 codes in this thread.

    Have you owned this vehicle for some time, and what kind of maintenance has been done to date?

    FYI : you're moderated until you've posted 5 times.
     
  3. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 3, 2012
    10,897
    4,418
    0
    Location:
    Pacific Northwest, USA
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Only paying $900 likely means you bought a rebuilt battery pack, which can be problematic. I'm betting they swap the pack again and your red triangle will be gone for another 3 months to 3 years.

    But more importantly, buy one of these devices so you can use a phone app like Dr. Prius to read and clear error codes yourself: https://www.ebay.com/itm/265484403768

    Not only will this likely save you from waiting for a tow truck at some point, it also makes communicating with your mechanic less confusing. It's so much easier and way less stressful when a friend or family member simply sends me a screen shot of error codes they just cleared rather than calling me and saying: "I'm on the side of the road and the Red Triangle is on. What should I do?"
     
  4. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 29, 2020
    8,063
    1,395
    0
    Location:
    Durham NC
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    Base
    The kicker about this is for about $1,410 you could have had a brand new Toyota Panasonic battery never installed in a car brand new sales never used anywhere else no people have played with it nothing it's ready to go for 20 years approximately etc or it's not and it's covered for $900 in two or three years that's a little costly I'd go maybe $700 for that from from a guy that I know that does this
     
  5. TMR-JWAP

    TMR-JWAP Senior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 12, 2016
    6,089
    5,806
    0
    Location:
    Columbia, SC
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    Where is this available? Does that cover the component swapping time and installation time?
     
  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,700
    48,946
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    URGENT!
     
  7. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 29, 2020
    8,063
    1,395
    0
    Location:
    Durham NC
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    Base
    In the statement that I made above I'm talking of two different things the battery that I just bought from the Toyota dealer for about $1,400 and something dollars that I went and picked up in Apex North Carolina gave them my core drove back with my bad battery that's in my car with the new battery sitting right next to it and when I got home I used the three or four tools that every base mechanic will have the wrenches to remove the battery and remove the orange plug and change the battery out in about 44 minutes the first time the first time I ever done it in my life I already have tools many thousands of dollars worth that wasn't the issue then the thing I'm talking about for 7 to $900 is when I went to the hybrid doctor in Virginia he goes all up and down the East Coast changing out batteries and Prius for a battery that's been completely dismantled cleaned sales balanced within three Delta whatever that means blah blah blah I've been to the guy's shop he does nice work I paid $599 for a 2013 battery like I just talked about above it should have been 700 but he gave it to me for $5.99 because I started talking to him from his eBay ad which is a rack of sales within three Delta for 599 delivered and then you get 200 back or something for your cores he provides the boxes and everything for you to send them back I wasn't going through any of all that nonsense I have family in Virginia I live in North Carolina so I just went to Virginia got to see this guy shot meet all this employees blah blah blah I'm not sure what's urgent here that was the hybrid doctor of Virginia they advertise all over the internet and then the battery I bought for $1,400 was from Hendrick Toyota online advertised all over the world I picked my Hendrick Toyota which is in Apex North Carolina
     
  8. alftoy

    alftoy Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 16, 2009
    1,132
    507
    0
    Location:
    Saskatchewan, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    Base
    The other question is when did you buy it for $1400, certainly not in the last month or two.
     
  9. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 29, 2020
    8,063
    1,395
    0
    Location:
    Durham NC
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    Base
    Yes actually it was about 96 days ago during the pandemic it was still cold out I think it might have been February March I have the receipt for somewhere here I drove up to pick it up with a dead battery in the car and the core battery that was worse than the dead battery I'm driving with from my house to Apex North Carolina which is about 47 MI and yeah as a matter of fact what the deal is when you buy it online dude is it going to bill your credit card for $3,300 for about 12 hours when you bring your car battery in and drop it off to the parts guy and pick up the new one and drive away in a few hours they will credit back your account with the core charge which is like $1,500 and your total net cost on the battery not with your gas for driving to the dealer to pick it up is about 1446 or something like that I just did this you know within $30 of the whole shebang here if I have to go pull out the paperwork and photo status and send it to you I guess I could do that this is a Hendrick Toyota in Apex North Carolina but you had to do the deal online I think the deal is still online I can go look if you like
     
    bisco likes this.
  10. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,700
    48,946
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    that's a great price, thanks for the tip!
     
  11. tracy ing

    tracy ing Active Member

    Joined:
    Dec 22, 2017
    384
    167
    0
    Location:
    wash dc
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    My guess is they install a pack and one or more cells were in a different state of charge than the rest of the cells and went into overcharge real quick which means the entire pack now has reduced capacity assuming the prius attempts to work within the confines of that overcharged over voltage pack, knowing the codes would tell you if this is the case
     
  12. deanGo

    deanGo New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 10, 2023
    2
    0
    0
    Location:
    47172
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    Five
    Thank you for this recommendation!