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I need a new traction battery - quick question

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Cooker, Dec 29, 2015.

  1. Cooker

    Cooker Junior Member

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    To confirm my suspicions of a bad traction battery I dropped the car off at the dealer this morning. Car was driving fine but dash was lit up like a X-Mas tree as well as the red car with ! on the MFD.

    Dealer confirmed traction battery is bad. I am not spending 3100 on an OEM battery but I did find a used one with a 1 year warranty for $850. I am very comfortable completing the install on my own (as I really don't want to pay the dealer $360 to do it) and yes I am familiar with working with HV equipment.

    I asked the dealer if I could drive the car home and their stated stated he would not even drive it off the lot as it would risk damaging other components.

    My question is this - if I drive the car back home with a bad traction battery do I risk damaging anything else?

    Thank you.
     
    #1 Cooker, Dec 29, 2015
  2. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    You won't damage anything by driving it home. You would have to be careful driving because you might not be able to drive at high speeds.

    You have to be careful with rebuilt batteries, buy from reputable people or you'll have this problem again...........after spending good money
     
    #2 JC91006, Dec 29, 2015
    Cooker likes this.
  3. Cooker

    Cooker Junior Member

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    Thank you for the quick reply. It sounded a little bit like BS that I should absolutely not drive it.

    The one I found is not reman. It is out of a wrecked 07 and has only been sitting on the lot for 19 days. I mention that because one concern I had with a salvage batter was how long it had been sitting around. It comes with a 1 year warranty so I am pretty comfortable with going that route.
     
    #3 Cooker, Dec 29, 2015
  4. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    If the salvage yard is requiring your battery core back, then it may not be what you think it is. You can ask to open the battery case and inspect the modules, make sure all the serial numbers are in sequential order.
     
    #4 JC91006, Dec 29, 2015
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  5. wjtracy

    wjtracy Senior Member

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    FYI there is another option to call Toyota HQ and ask for goodwill discount on Toyota batt. Just last week we had a fellow Virginian get a deal I forget but about $1200-1500 for the new batt installed. We feel new Toyota batt is the best approach. But since you have DIY skills, your approach may be OK.

    P0A80 Advice | Page 3 | PriusChat
     
    #5 wjtracy, Dec 29, 2015
    Last edited: Dec 29, 2015
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  6. jpr0930

    jpr0930 New Member

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    This is really good advice. In weighing my options for replacing my defunct HV battery, I have considered the same route as the OP but did not think of this. Solid point friend!

    Thanks!

    And good luck to OP.
     
    #6 jpr0930, Dec 29, 2015
  7. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    o/p, you can also buy a new oem and install yourself.
     
    #7 bisco, Dec 29, 2015
  8. Cooker

    Cooker Junior Member

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    While OEM may be the best way to go, I do not want to invest $2800 (assuming I install it myself) into a car that has a value of perhaps $4500.

    I appreciate the suggestion to contact Toyota. The gentleman in the thread mentioned he only had 75k on his car so I am guessing that was in his favor. My car has 261k so I am thinking they might suggest this is a normal service interval for the battery. Also, I need the car up and running sooner than later.
     
    #8 Cooker, Dec 29, 2015
  9. wjtracy

    wjtracy Senior Member

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    ^^^true that 2007 Prius case was just over 8-yrs old, but one theory is Toyota is trying to use up their commitment of NiMH batteries...the Virginia case was not a long term owner so that case seemed to blow away the theory that it has to be a loyal long term customer.
     
    #9 wjtracy, Dec 29, 2015
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