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I am looking for instructions on how to replaced a bad cell in my traction battery pack

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by Mark Holder, Nov 5, 2015.

  1. Mark Holder

    Mark Holder Junior Member

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    Hi I have a 2011 with 265k miles and got the check hybrid error. I took it to my local Toyota dealer and they did the recall. 15 minutes away from the shop I got the error again so I took it back. They said it was a defective battery pack and it would be $3500 or so. I researched and found that it is possible to replace a single cell and have found the cells for $70 or so each. Before I tear my prius apart I am hoping to find actual instructions so I don't shock myself to death by doing something stupid.
     
  2. Beachbummm

    Beachbummm Senior Member

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    remove orange safety plug and disconnect 12 volt battery than follow the instructions on youtube, cells on e bay, 3 hours and about 100 bucks..takes pics as you take it apart so you know where everything goes
     
  3. mrbigh

    mrbigh Prius Absolutum Dominium

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    If you do not know what you are doing, DO NOT get involved in a DANGEROUS task
     
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    if you don't want to play whack a mole, follow beachbummms advice, buy the mini vci, then search battery threads here to rebalance the pack.
     
  5. Mark Holder

    Mark Holder Junior Member

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    Thanks that was my plan, just hoping to find better instructions or videos than what was on youtube
     
  6. wjtracy

    wjtracy Senior Member

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    Check Gen2 threads of course, This is one of the first Gen3 batt fails we've had here on Prius Chat. Not the first but maybe second or third.
     
  7. Siward

    Siward Active Member

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    When I first bought my Prius, I looked into how a cell was replaced. I got a little discouraged when they mentioned that you need to recondition the cells by discharging/charging them. A cell is bad if it can't be charged/discharged to a designated voltage. I'm not sure if you need to do it though.

    Gen II Prius Individual Battery Module Replacement | PriusChat

    Post #1 shows he just replaced the cells, but didn't get very far. Post #35 is a summary.

    I am no expert. I am just referrng you to what I read about cell replacement.
     
    #7 Siward, Nov 5, 2015
    Last edited: Nov 5, 2015
  8. zak.kapoor

    zak.kapoor Junior Member

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    I am into RC cars so charging/discharging batteries is not a big deal. However I have a single cell charger only. Charging/discharging one battery at a time will take more than a month to completely balance all the cells in the Prius. I could not survive without a car for that long.

    The Hitec X4 Multi battery chargers are expensive. Two of those can cost you $400 these days. However they cut the balancing time down to a few days. Considering the cost of linesman gloves and other accessories, it might be worth considering a refurbished battery pack. I believe these are selling for around $1,100.

    Anyway I just crossed 100K on my Gen II Prius. I think I have some time before I start worrying about the battery back. Let us know how it works out for you.
     
  9. ericbecky

    ericbecky Hybrid Battery Hero

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    Time or money, right?
    You don't have time to do it properly, so just do it "good 'nuff?"
    Take one bad one out, quickly slap in a different one.
    Why not just skip the balancing and keep on truckin'?
    Repeat as needed over the next year until you get frustrated enough to buy a whole-pack balancer, get a refurbed pack, or new one?
     
  10. electrontechnik

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    I'm having a problem with a block or two, I've just been too busy to post about it. For reference, I'm at 211k miles on a 2010. Dash started lighting up about 1-1.5k miles ago.

    OP, if you haven't already, buy a Torque compatible OBDII reader, then go to torqueloganalyzer.blogspot.com and look for the the DIY hybrid check.

    Battery block V vs Time 11 14 15.png HV Bat Fitness 11 14 15.png
     

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