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Can you run a gen 3 (2012) on a bad HV battery?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Technical Discussion' started by Banksy, Jan 16, 2021.

  1. Banksy

    Banksy Active Member

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    I have a 2012 that I can get cheap

    Dirt cheap

    It's located about 7 hrs away from me

    Owner said he drove it for a month without the battery working properly


    I'm highly considering buying said dirty cheap prius and driving it almost 7 hrs back home and swapping out the pack with a OEM toyota pack

    I'm curious if you can run the car like that if it will put so much strain on the engine that it'll cause damage

    Any input?
     
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  2. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    It would be worth getting more details about what the battery issue is.

    There's unlikely to be any damage to the engine whatever happens. Of more concern is just that the battery may reach a point where the car's computers say "nope, not doing that anymore", and if that point comes 3.5 hours into your 7 hour drive it may throw a bit of a wrench into your travel planning.
     
  3. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    Why not bring the replacement pack with your and change it? It would be safer. And doubtfull
    you'd get stranded. If you have AAA with unlimited towing mileage, don't worry about it. :)
     
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  4. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    The HV battery starts the engine... So if there's still life left in it it's possible... But if battery if HV battery is dead, so is the car.
     
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  5. Banksy

    Banksy Active Member

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    So it's essentially the same as a gen 2

    Gotcha
     
  6. mikey_t

    mikey_t Active Member

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    If it's dirt cheap and otherwise in good shape I think it's a good buy, especially if you're going to do a lot of maintenence on your own. I'd clean the EGR circuit and change all the fluids. I'd just drive it as easy as possible on the way home.
     
  7. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

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    o_O
     
  8. Banksy

    Banksy Active Member

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    Wait... this is a thing?

    I thought 200 miles was the max


    Link? I was going to spend about 600 on a uhaul between gas and fees.

    This would be incredible
     
  9. Ed Beaty

    Ed Beaty Active Member

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    "Wait... this is a thing?"

    Definitely, as long as you've brought along all of the required tools and know what you're doing...
     
  10. Banksy

    Banksy Active Member

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    No the unlimited miles for towing
     
  11. royrose

    royrose Senior Member

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    I'd run Dr. Prius app (connected by bluetooth to an OBDII adapter) to see what codes show up, then clear the codes. Sounds like the owner was freaked out by early battery problems. If you clear the codes, you probably can drive it to your place. Probably, of course, is not certainly.
     
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  12. Banksy

    Banksy Active Member

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    For whatever reason Dr prius never worked on my old phone

    Id assumed it was my Bluetooth OBD 2 reader

    Will this OBD2 reader work with Dr prius?
     

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    #12 Banksy, Jan 17, 2021
    Last edited: Jan 17, 2021
  13. royrose

    royrose Senior Member

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    I don't know that one. I use the OBDLink Lx (with my android phone). It is more expensive at about $50.

    I got the OBDLink LX because Hybrid assistant recommends it. Dr. Prius tested the MX (supposed to work with IOS and android), didn't like it, didn't test the LX which is android only.
     
    #13 royrose, Jan 17, 2021
    Last edited: Jan 17, 2021
  14. Ed Beaty

    Ed Beaty Active Member

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  15. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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  16. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    You know, the 12v battery could be weak, or bad.... It will cause problems with the hybrid battery lights...
     
  17. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    If you pay the extra money for the year, for AAA, you can get unlimited mileage towing...
     
  18. Banksy

    Banksy Active Member

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    How much is that?
     
  19. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    I have no idea. But you can go to there site and find out..