Dead HV Battery, best option for replacement?

For what its worth. Our (2005) hybrid battery crapped out about 2 years ago. The car had 192K miles on it, and we'd just spent a lot on strut replacements. I took it to a dealer to run diagnostics, they said "Hybrid battery needs replacing as well as both onboard computers and 12V auxiliary battery. Cost of repairs ($6200) exceeds value of vehicle." I didn't buy it because the car had never had any issues until the dreaded lights came on, and I knew many of these cars go 300K miles.

I ended up finding a Toyota technician (C-list) who moonlighted by selling and installing "reconditioned" HV batteries. He drove about 60 miles to meet me close to my home, took out the necessary interior parts, switched out the HV battery and put everything back together. Then he went for a half hour test drive with his laptop monitoring the system. Cost me $650. We drove it another 2 years without problems until it had 242Kmiles and was beginning to look a bit rough with gorilla tape holding the plastic bumper parts together. At that point the water pump needed replacing along with new tires. I told my wife, "Honey, it is time to find another car."

We sold it for $500. 2 days later we found a like new 2009 Prius with 130K miles and complete dealer service records for $6500. It looks and drives like a new car. We are very happy!

 

look into @2k1Toaster new aftermarket battery. you'll need an installer if you don't want to diy.

best you can do is call around to dealers for best price. long term, nothing else is viable.

 

Good experiences with reconditioned batteries are the exception, not the rule. If you want a turnkey operation, the dealer is your best option, but shop around. They can vary widely in price and knowledge.

Also, the battery is not hard at all to replace, so if you have a couple wrenches and a torque wrench, I'd recommend finding a dealer who will sell the battery over the counter. It will require some assembly at home and then a return to the dealer with your old batteyr to retrieve the core charge, but it's a lot cheaper that way.

And, as @bisco said, the kit offered by 2k1toaster is another good option that is cheaper than having Toyota install one.

Another possibility, if there's a hybrid specialist in your area is a non-rebuilt, near-new used battery from a wreck. Tow years ago, I put a battery made from a full set of cells from a 2015 in my wife's '07. Still runs like new.

 

Are you in Piqua, OH? It'll be a bit of a drive (~3 hours) but I got mine from AutoBeYours in Scottsburg, IN. Plug In Hybrid Electric Vehicle PHEV. I think he charges $750 for them now, I paid a bit more. Well built and definitely worth the money and effort.

I drove my 04 with a dead HV from Clarksville, TN to Scottsburg, IN (4 hours) - the last 40 miles it would only get up to about 30 mph in the safe mode. Steve hooked up the rebuilt one and it ran 70 mph back home just like it was new. Drove it for 3 more years until it threw a rod.

 

I have a standing offer from a dealer near Cleveland that sells the battery for $1625. He also will do the install for the usual 5 hours.

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Kenoarto
can i get the information on the dealership that would sell this HV Battery I have a 2008
that has issues with many of the cells and replacing the complete unit seems like the
best option or a complete battery pack from a salvage yard ie 2015 and swap the
individual cells I think they are the same.
any information would help

Thanks
Ed Daspit

 

Metro Toyota. The battery there is only $1595+tax+deposit.

Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.

 

They are the same and can be swapped. My wife's '07 has '15 cells. But a new one is ... well ... new.

 

I just did another quick googkr search and found the battery for $1625 at the other Toyota dealer near Metro.

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