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P0A80 !! OMG Just bought a used 11' 177k miles. Am I f**ked? =(

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by silvernuke, Aug 21, 2017.

  1. silvernuke

    silvernuke Junior Member

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    Just purchased 2011 Prius with 177k miles yesterday... clean 1 owner car with some rough cosmetics..everything was fine during 20 min or so test drive through various terrain - city, hills, in inland empire region in So Cal. Hybrid battery was charging just fine and working perfectly fine! (or so I thought...)

    Then... Boom! today, literally after 100 miles since purchase, I got all these ugly warning lights on - check engine, triangle of death!, traction... and it says Check Hybrid System and basically it became a simple ICE car. Went to AutoZone to check the code, then... P0A80 shows up "Replace Hybrid Battery Pack"

    I literally bought it yesterday. How can this happen within less than 24 hours of paying cash and picking the car up?? =( :(:(:(:(

    Am I doomed? (According to some readings I have done here, maybe.. perhaps.. i am doomed.)

    It seems the order of business in this case is,

    1. Clean the Cooling Fan
    2. Check 12V battery

    But considering the miles on the car, following will be most likely..

    1. Buy/Install new HV battery from Toyota
    2. Buy/Install 'Refurbished' battery from Independent hybrid specialist
    (Any Prius Hybrid specialist you can recommend in LA area?)

    Any other ideas, recommendations? Thanks!
     
    #1 silvernuke, Aug 21, 2017
    Last edited: Aug 22, 2017
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    yup.:unsure: the seller likely replaced a bad cell, which will last at least long enough to move the car to a new owner.
    best bet is a new battery, the rest of the car should last forever.
     
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  3. TinyTim

    TinyTim Active Member

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    How much did you pay for the 2011 Prius? I need calculate your total investment cost as to better determined if you are doomed.
     
  4. silvernuke

    silvernuke Junior Member

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    @bisco Arghhhhh... that's probably true.. but obviously the burden is now of mine. man.. :(

    @TinyTim arms and legs it looks like! ;):(
     
  5. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    you can try calling toyota, and asking for goodwill assistance.
     
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  6. silvernuke

    silvernuke Junior Member

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    Call dealership or corporate?
     
  7. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    Did you buy this from a dealer or original owner?
     
  8. silvernuke

    silvernuke Junior Member

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    private dealer... =(
     
  9. silvernuke

    silvernuke Junior Member

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    and would it be even worth trying to replace the hybrid battery by myself? time/effort? while i am not a 100% gearhead, i probably could replace it with a help of a friend who's a bit more mechanic-savvy~
     
  10. TinyTim

    TinyTim Active Member

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    If you bought it less than 48 hours ago (you say less than 24 hours ago) there is a (usually 48-72 hours depending on state) lemon law. Take it back and get your money back.
     
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  11. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    call corporate customer service. goodwill assistance will involve dealer installation. if they balk, you can save quite a bit installing yourself. many here have done it. caution is the watchword.
     
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  12. silvernuke

    silvernuke Junior Member

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    While I'd love to take it back and demand my money back! - how sweet would that be... the law doesn't really protect the buyer for private sale of cars that is out of warranty unless there was written contract that was greened upon at the time of purchase.

    The California Lemon Law & Private Party Sales - FREE INFO

    So... I am on my own (or with all of ya here at PriusChat!) on this one.
     
  13. silvernuke

    silvernuke Junior Member

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    I suppose it won't hurt to ask!
     
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  14. TinyTim

    TinyTim Active Member

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    I was under the impression that you bought from a dealer via a private party sale. I assumed there was some liability protection as dealers are required to possess a dealer license. Apparently there is no insurance, protection or even assurance which begs the question why a private seller would use a dealer to process paperwork if there is no liability protection.

    So how much are you into this 2011 Prius? We need answers to this important question.
     
  15. silvernuke

    silvernuke Junior Member

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    I do need this car for a period of time. That's most critical aspect of this operation!
     
  16. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    If you've exhausted your options, I can help you with this.
     
  17. m.wynn

    m.wynn Senior Member

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    silvernuke, have a look at this thread and, if you're receptive, contact 2k1Toaster and see if he can sell you a Gen 3 (turd gen) specific kit:

    Prius Battery Replacement (GenII) Like you've never seen - NEW Cylindrical Cells | PriusChat

    I rank factory new followed by low-ish mileage, recent salvage as the only solid options for a reasonably long term battery fix. Rebuilds are questionable with so many elderly modules in the mix these days. If going rebuilt, the trick is finding an operation that isn't fly-by-night and will be around to honor their warranty.

    In addition to getting your HV battery sorted, please consider full EGR circuit disassembly and careful cleaning. Your mileage is right around ground zero for head gasket failure, and carbon blocked EGR is seemingly the culprit.

    Any help/advice from JC is gold, he's a high priest of the Prius world. And Avi at Hybrid Fix tends to be the Priuschat preferred, L.A. local indy mechanic. Good luck!
     
    #17 m.wynn, Aug 22, 2017
    Last edited: Aug 22, 2017
  18. TinyTim

    TinyTim Active Member

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    I thought all those fly-by-night operations ceased to exist. If they exist still, better avoid them. Go with the low mileage battery or the salvage from a "you trash it we stash it" type outfit.
     
  19. 4est

    4est Active Member

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    You could replace the bad battery modules and be OK. Just do a proper voltage under load test
     
  20. JimN

    JimN Let the games begin!

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    My interpretation is that the battery just failed 27000 miles out of warranty. It will be interesting to learn whether or not the original pack was worked on. I believe this is the first report of out-of-warranty battery failure on a Gen3.

    Perhaps the original owner noticed the signs of a weakening battery and sold the car. Perhaps the owner just didn't like living with a car that is out of warranty.
     
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