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My Toyota dealer is selling refurbished traction batteries

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Tj S, Nov 16, 2016.

  1. The Electric Me

    The Electric Me Go Speed Go!

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    Not exactly.
    If the cheaper pack was sold as "New Cells in a Used Case". ...if they say New Cells..I'd expect...New Cells.
     
    Bluegrassman likes this.
  2. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    Toyota of San Bernardino has them around $2000 online. But I'm not sure they'll sell it over the counter to someone that's not a certified mechanic.

    Camelback might be cheaper than their quote if you go and actually buy it. They offer discounts if you ask for them at their service counter. There was a member here that bought it for under $2000 over a year ago, the quote was higher but ended up cheaper once they were ready to purchase......at the counter. They just asked.

    The dealer you purchased the battery from should be able to offer the new battery for $2000 right? If they are able to bring the purchase priced of the refurbished down a few hundred......it should be the same for the new battery. It is their error in quoting a battery with new cells.......
     
    #62 JC91006, Nov 19, 2016
    Last edited: Nov 19, 2016
  3. kinglew

    kinglew Member

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    Not gen 2 only gen 3 cells are still be made
     
  4. ct0304

    ct0304 New Member

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    Call matt from texas hybrid batteries he'll take care of you

    SM-N910P using PriusChat mobile app
     
  5. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    you can put gen 3 in ten 2 box, yes?
     
  6. Texas Hybrid Batteries

    Texas Hybrid Batteries Senior Member

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    Yes. That's what the new batteries from Toyota are. New Gen 3 modules in a new Gen 2 case, which makes it better than what came in the car new.

    Matt
     
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  7. Texas Hybrid Batteries

    Texas Hybrid Batteries Senior Member

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    Thanks Corey,
    I sell new batteries locally for $2200 but I can't do much to help our friends in SOCAL. Shipping whole packs is not cost effective and I won't disassemble a new pack in order to flat rate the modules. The only option is to shop local and find a dealer that's willing to give a discount.

    Matt
     
  8. jadziasman

    jadziasman Prius owner emeritus

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    I wonder what KBI is doing to the modules; if anything, that makes them confident that 10 year old ones will hold up before the one year warranty expires? Do they just cherry pick the best modules that Toyota gives or sells to them from warranty and beyond cores and send the rest for recycling? My guess is that's exactly what they do.

    I"m sure that Matt at Texas Hybrid Batteries has a good idea since he's a competitor who undercuts Toyota's price by a wide margin with his re-manufactured packs. I'm not asking and I'm sure he's not telling.
     
  9. CooCooCaChoo

    CooCooCaChoo Active Member

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    Could it also be that the electrolyte within the cells are new and they just reused the cell case as well?
     
  10. Tj S

    Tj S Member

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    So I decided to swap out the HV Battery with a brand new one from Toyota. They price matched San Benardino. The car is running great. I'm glad I followed my gut after everyone's helpful input. I appreciate everyone's knowledge in helping me understand exactly what I had versus what the parts guy was saying I had.
     
  11. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    great price! good move, congrats and all the best!(y)

    i looked but didn't see, how many miles on your prius?
     
    #71 bisco, Nov 20, 2016
    Last edited: Nov 20, 2016
  12. Tj S

    Tj S Member

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    ~290k. approximate due to new combo meter.
     
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  13. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Did you get refund for that first battery? "They" is the same dealership parts department? What was the price for brand-new battery then?

    Having put in a couple of batteries now, what would you say is a reasonable price for a pro install? And how would you describe the install, from a DIY perspective? Would you consider adding a step-by-step description, or maybe it's just too involved?
     
  14. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    Wow new battery at 290k miles. That battery is worth more than the car.

    I bet your back hurts from lifting all those batteries in and out of the car lol
     
  15. Tj S

    Tj S Member

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    Yes - the lifting took its toll. the good news is that I disassembled and teassembled these things many times without getting shocked or frying something else in the car!

    I would be crazy for putting this kind of money into this car, but I rationalized it by knowing that the battery can be put into another one in case something else goes on the car. I can buy another gen 2 with battery issue for cheap and swap the battery.

    I did get complete refund for refurb battery. I dealt with same dealership (not san bernadino) the whole time.

    The job could be a 2 hr job and easy but you have to swap electrinics over which complicates the job. I also took extra time and cleaned out the cooling system too. it took me 4 hours taking my time. at times I felt like I was working on a PC rather than a car. I would put it at moderate skill. the closest analogy is like doing appliance repair like replacing a motor on a washiing machine. take your time and take plerty of pics and you'll be fine.
     
    #75 Tj S, Nov 20, 2016
    Last edited: Nov 20, 2016
  16. jadziasman

    jadziasman Prius owner emeritus

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    And who knows how long a properly maintained Gen 2 Prius will last? Toyota and Honda are legendary
    for their longevity (gee, I sound like Johnny Cochran right now) so it's possible that Tj's Prius will still
    be on the road in 2025.
     
  17. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    Your final price was $2070 plus tax?
     
  18. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    So for the pros likely 2 hours? In that case $300 (or a bit more) seems a reasonable install charge. With that $1000 quote for install, seems like they're charging $300 for labour, and $700 for a two year warranty extension. :rolleyes:
     
  19. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    The pros can definitely do it in 2 hours. I can do that with my amateur tools and weak back.
     
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  20. stephane

    stephane Prius v owner

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    would be nice if someone do a how to tread on swapping batterie