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Dealer wants to replace both auxiliary and hybrid batteries

Discussion in 'Generation 1 Prius Discussion' started by Tashfeen Ekram, Jan 23, 2014.

  1. Tashfeen Ekram

    Tashfeen Ekram Junior Member

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    I have 2001 prius with 150k miles on it. There was a period of about fifteen days where it was only driven for two days in the middle of it. At end the is when the hybrid system light came on. We drove it for another fifty miles and the car was driving fine. We took it to a non Toyota dealer mechanic and he said he could not find anything wrong with it. On the way home the car seemed like the power almost turned off and many lights went off in the dashboard and the car did not seem to be driving normal. I pulled over and restarted the car and it ran fine never to happen again.

    Looking online, I thought perhaps the auxiliary battery maybe bad and thought it could be cheap fix. I took it to Autozone and they were unfamiliar with the battery type but tested and told me it looked ok but it was only 45% charged. However, they were unsure if this number was accurate.

    I took it the dealer and had no other driving issues. They told me I need to replace both the auxiliary and hybrid battery. Cost is $3600. I am looking for an alternative that is cheaper. I found people who can rebuild it for a lot cheaper but I am trying to figure out if both need to be really replaced. I will be picking up my car today from dealer and can ask for the diagnostic code if that helps.

    Thanks!
     
  2. usnavystgc

    usnavystgc Die Hard DIYer and Ebike enthusiast.

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    Yes, pls post the code and the 3 digit "subcode".

    I have some questions for you.
    1) Are there any lights on (check engine etc)?
    2) Are the lights always on?
    3) You say the car ran fine does that mean you were monitoring the "Energy" display
    4) Have you noticed the traction battery charge level go from high or full to low or empty within about 30 seconds?
     
  3. ericbecky

    ericbecky Hybrid Battery Hero

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    Diagnostic codes will help. It could point to portions of the battery which are out of spec. The dealer, or well equipped independent mechanic should be able to show you a quick look of the status of the big battery including voltages.

    The loss of power is worrisome.

    If the 12v tested as bad, then I would begin there and replace it. Unfortunately the 12v battery for a Prius is quite expensive. $250-$350 installed. (As compared to a regular car which could be half that.)

    If the codes point to a bad high voltage battery, do you think you are able to replace it yourself if one is sent to you?
    Or will you need someone else to do it for you?
     
  4. Tashfeen Ekram

    Tashfeen Ekram Junior Member

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    The check engine light is on and has been for several months. We had that checked out at that time and apparently it pointed to the evap canister. The codes at that time were p0422, p0440, p0441, p0446, p3191. Though they did not tell me what the last code was for.

    The hybrid check and check engine light are always on.

    I do not think I can watch the energy display as it is stuck on the warning display with hybrid light in. Can take a picture of it if you like.

    I have not noticed the battery go from full to low but it is my wife's car and I am really not sure if that does happen. Is there I can check it now?

    I just picked up the car. The diagnostic code they told me they found was p3018. I am not sure if there were other codes because the service guy I was working there was off and all I got was the paper work. It also seems like they incidentally found the auxiliary battery to be low during the "Courtesy Multipoint Inspection."

    As far as changing it myself, I think I could do it. I watched some videos and does not seem to be that difficult.

    Where can I find an auxiliary battery if that is the low hanging fruit? Dealer quoted price of $430 with half hour of labor which seems high as it took me five minutes to get it in and out.
     
  5. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    DTC P3191 means an engine no-start issue. Clean the throttle body interior and throttle plate.

    DTC P3018 means that battery block #8 within the traction battery has a problem. This is why your dealer has suggested the traction battery needs to be replaced.

    Take a look at the 12V battery. If original equipment or a Toyota-branded replacement, there should be a six-digit date code in MMDDYY format, located at the top center.

    If the battery is less than 4 years old, you can try charging it using an AGM charger, 4A charging rate. If older, you'd might as well replace it now. You can buy a replacement from your local Toyota dealer's parts department, and it should cost ~$200.
     
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  6. Tashfeen Ekram

    Tashfeen Ekram Junior Member

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    Thanks Patrick. The battery is definitely older than four years. I am not near the car anymore to be able to tell if it is an original. Will give it a switch as it seems reasonably priced.

    As for P3018/HV battery issue, is there a problem if I wait on it? Other than performance issue, could I possibly make the situation worse? My commute is only about 3 miles each way.

    As far as fixing it, what are my options? I could re-build it or have it rebuilt and that seems to be cheaper. However, from what it seems like the life of these can vary? If were to buy a professionally re-built battery like (dormanhybrid) then they come with a longer warranty and likely have a longer life?
     
  7. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    No, you will not make the situation worse but you will soon find that the car is not driveable.

    Traction Battery replacement options:

    1) Buy new battery from Toyota dealer
    2) Buy used battery from salvage yard
    3) Buy "remanufactured" battery. I put quotes around the word because all that is done is to assemble used modules, then discharge and charge the modules to a common charge level. Some vendors may do more in this process than others. I'll leave it to you to assess the relationship between price, expected life and warranty period.
     
  8. Tashfeen Ekram

    Tashfeen Ekram Junior Member

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    Thanks.

    Would you happen to know how easy it is to do the rebuilding battery part if I were to do it on my own or hire someone to do it rather buying a "new" battery. Found people willing to do it for under $1000. There are also guides online that you can buy for less than $100 that claim you can do it yourself for $500. Seems sketchy?
     
  9. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    If I remember right, ReInvolt (now acquired by Dorman so you can order the battery through your friendly local parts store) would replace Toyota's bare-copper busbars with nickel-plated ones to resist the corrosive action of leaked electrolyte. I assume that on Dorman's watch they're still doing that. That seemed like a good revision. (Though maybe if newer modules have all solved the electrolyte leakage problem for good, it might by now be a revision without a cause.)

    -Chap
     
  10. AlexY

    AlexY Member

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    4) Fix it yourself - used good modules are available on ebay, electric skills and some tools like voltmeter & charger are required.
     
  11. AlexY

    AlexY Member

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    Why they are so expensive in US? Just replaced 12V battery and replacement one cost me 40£ in UK.
     
  12. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    Was the replacement battery an AGM made by GS Yuasa in Japan; or was it a regular flooded-acid battery made in China??
     
  13. Tashfeen Ekram

    Tashfeen Ekram Junior Member

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    Alex, any online guides you recommend for fixing it myself?
     
  14. RobH

    RobH Senior Member

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    Take a look at Replacement of 12 volt auxiliary battery | PriusChat

    I'd be willing to use an ordinary battery with a vent tube instead of the AGM one Toyota uses. My 2006 with an "AGM" designation had liquid in it. I've also owned a VW and a BMW that had ordinary batteries in the trunk or under the rear floor.
     
  15. AlexY

    AlexY Member

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    Old one was flooded with toyota brand sticker on it and replacement is flooded as well bull brand, no idea where it is manufactured but nowatime everything is coming from china.

    Some videos are available on youtube. but one with electrician's qualification and NiMH accu knowledge will know what to do.
     
  16. Tashfeen Ekram

    Tashfeen Ekram Junior Member

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  17. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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  18. Tashfeen Ekram

    Tashfeen Ekram Junior Member

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    Took back to dealer to get the hv battery replaced. They want to also replace the cables and said it could damage the new battery if not replaced. Any advice? Is it easy to do on my own as they want 400 to replace three cables
     
  19. AlexY

    AlexY Member

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    Assume it is about power cables going under the car.
    No point to replace these cables if it is not damaged physically or by corrosion. What is their reason? My guess is they have it on stock and just want to sell it. Did they showed to you what is wrong? Take the picture and post it there.
     
  20. Tashfeen Ekram

    Tashfeen Ekram Junior Member

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    They said the cables are corroded. The car is at the dealer. I guess I could get pictures. Is it typical for these cables to corrode and affect the performance of the hybrid system?