Hybrid Battery Advice, Please

RJ and Eric...c'mon now.......you guys need to give me just a little credit on the battery subject. I don't mishmash/hodgepodge/mix match. Every battery I build (other than experiments on my own or family cars) uses modules from a late model wreck/salvage car (Currently only 2015 and newer models unless done by specific request). I use new wire frame #2 harnesses (sensor harness and busbars), new main cables and new service plug/cables purchased from Toyota. And, always assembled with TLC......

The battery planned for Don's car is not one of my "builds". It's a Toyota factory replacement, built in December 2017, installed 3/22/18 with less than a year of use on it when the car was salvaged...Module date codes are 04ZS. December 04, 2017. There's no reason this battery shouldn't work perfectly for many, many years....

 

You're definitely dealing with a dealer who's either incompetent or dishonest. As @TMR-JWAP said, the 12V battery has nothing to do with cranking the engine. He knows his stuff and I've read several comments here from people whom he has helped out. He also gave me some excellent tips when my wife's '07 had a battery failure.

If you did want a new one, shop around. As @ericbecky said, many dealers do sell to customers, but you'll want to pay the core fee, take the new one home, swap the parts that don't come with a new battery, and then return the old battery to get your fee back.

 

There are definitely a very few exceptions of folks who are doing it right.
And you deserve some credit for being one of the good guys.

Pulling good packs from salvaged cars is a good idea. I just had a guy with one not long ago. New pack less than a year old that the car got in a bad front end collision. Pack was still good of course.

 

Similar with the one in my wife's car. Full set of 2015 cells transplanted to a Gen 2 housing and then conditioned with Prolong. That was almost 2-1/2 years ago.

 

Interesting thread.
I'd comment but what needs to be said, has already been said.

Good Luck to the OP.