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battery dying really fast

Discussion in 'Generation 1 Prius Discussion' started by kermitcar, Apr 9, 2015.

  1. kermitcar

    kermitcar Junior Member

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    Hey guys, I kinda searched for this already but if anyone knows of another thread about this please let me know and forgive me haha. So here's the deal my '02 prius' traction battery is dying really fast. But here's the thing, it will charge fully and be fine for a few months and then one day Its like the battery says, "naw I don't want to play anymore." and dies really fast and is a pain to charge even a little bit. I can even drive to work (at least half an hour away) and I can get to freeway speeds and charging 95% of the way and it will still be at a very low charge. Then after a while it will charge all the time while staying fully charged. I'm eventually going to replace the battery anyway but wanted to know if it sounded like something else, too.
     
    #1 kermitcar, Apr 9, 2015
  2. greasemonkey007

    greasemonkey007 Active Member

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    Do you have the mini vci with techstream to plug into the car and take a look at what's going on? Are there any warning lights or codes present? Are you able to remove the battery cover to check for corrosion on the terminals? If not, you may want to have someone take a look at it or get the necessary means to check it yourself. Keep in mind that this is some pretty nasty DC voltage if you accidently touch the wrong place.

    Here's a pic of one out of an 01 with 246,000 miles. To say the least it was somewhat corroded. I'm surprised that it didn't burn the car up since it burned a hole in the carpet that covers the battery pack.
     

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    #2 greasemonkey007, Apr 11, 2015
  3. Aaron Vitolins

    Aaron Vitolins Senior Member

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    I think i read somewhere on here in the past, don't quote me on this btw! :) that the first gen did a sorta battery cycle every few months or so. Like it'd drain it's hybrid battery on purpose. The gen 2 did not do that.

    Maybe someone else knows what I'm talking about. Anyway have you checked your 12 volt battery? How's the mpg, how many miles does she have?

    It's a good sign that it doesn't do it all the time!
     
    #3 Aaron Vitolins, Apr 11, 2015
  4. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

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    There are reports of a 'rebalancing' cycle. In effect draining the traction battery to a low value then charging to a high value.

    I have not had this happen and not read about it in my Prius shop manuals. It apparently makes a vivid impression on those that reported it.

    Bob Wilson
     
    #4 bwilson4web, Apr 11, 2015
  5. Aaron Vitolins

    Aaron Vitolins Senior Member

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    There we go! That's what it was called. Thanks bob. Maybe it was that the OP was experiencing.. Then again, maybe not
     
    #5 Aaron Vitolins, Apr 11, 2015
  6. kermitcar

    kermitcar Junior Member

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    Well the car has about 210k miles on it. I don't have the mini vci, although I would love to have one just for situations like this. I do have the means to take the cover off but it's my only car haha. And if I did take the cover off I'd like to be able to take my time and not screw anything up so it'd have to be on the weekend. The display says I was getting about 43 mpg and after a couple weeks it's down to 41 mpg. I haven't checked my 12v even though I probably should check it.
     
    #6 kermitcar, Apr 12, 2015
  7. kermitcar

    kermitcar Junior Member

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    Also I have had the battery out before and didn't notice any corrosion. Or at least not as heavy as those pictures you posted.
     
    #7 kermitcar, Apr 12, 2015
  8. greasemonkey007

    greasemonkey007 Active Member

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    Just wondering if your engine is running more than normal like it is trying to keep the traction battery charged. That would account for the lower mpgs and could be a sign of a failing HV battery.
    You need the codes checked if possible. That eliminates a lot of guessing. If you can't get that done I would test the 12V and pull the cover off of the HV battery to have a look.
     
    #8 greasemonkey007, Apr 12, 2015
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