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2006 Prius with 134,000 miles - battery

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by abcFWB, Sep 18, 2021.

  1. abcFWB

    abcFWB New Member

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    So had the red triangle light go and engine light turn on. Took into Toyota dealer and they said I need a new HV battery and HV ECU. The quoted me $4,042 all in for a new battery - includes parts and labor and tax. They said they did NOT provide refurbished ones and they did not have a Goodwill plan.

    Are there any other options to this? I checked with another Toyota Dealer and they quoted me 2400 for a refurbished battery and 1000 for labor so 3400 before tax and guessing tax will make it 3800.

    Is there anyway to get parts and labor down to 2500 total or less? I tried a couple mom and pops and none seem to want to do hybrid batteries.

    What options do I have at this point? I live in Fort Walton Beach, FL if that helps.
     
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    newpriusbatteries.com $1,600. plus labor. shouldn't bee to hard to find someone willing for $400. or so, it's a pretty straightforward job
     
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  3. MilkyWay

    MilkyWay Active Member

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    Cheapest option go to craigslist auto parts services section. Do keywords for "Hybrid" "Battery" etc. You can find people that will do the job for $500 it's pretty easy.

    2nd cheapest: Go on car-part.com and find a local yard with an OEM battery out of a wrecked prius in the $500 to $700 range.

    PS: It takes 1 hour to change the battery. $100 to $150 labor tops for the 45 minute job.
     
  4. dolj

    dolj Senior Member

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    Just be aware that your CL $500 special gives you another old secondhand battery (of unknown quality) that you may or may not get a 6-months to 2-years extension to the life of the car.

    Florida dealers seem to be the most expensive in the country for hybrid vehicle battery replacements.

    I don't know if it would interest you to get the car to Tampa where Todd at Tampa Hybrids (Tampa Hybrids Inc., 124 Cypress Ln, Lutz, FL 33548 - it would be a long drive for you) would see you get a competitive price for a new battery. In any case, it wouldn't hurt to call him (+1 (813) 241-5307) as he might be able to suggest other alternatives.

    Note also that some dealers routinely replace the battery ECU, but if you inspect the plug of the harness that plugs into it and the mating socket of the ECU and you do not see any corrosion you likely can just reuse your current ECU. That on its own will save you about $1,500.
     
    #4 dolj, Sep 19, 2021
    Last edited: Sep 19, 2021
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  5. Another

    Another Senior Member

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  6. Another

    Another Senior Member

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  7. Another

    Another Senior Member

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    A failed battery at only 134k miles seems pretty early but the car is 2006 and maybe other issues led to it.
    Maybe get a second opinion at the hybrid shop rather than a dealer.
     
  8. Sam Brinson

    Sam Brinson Junior Member

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    ----USA----
    GreenBeanBattery. Like $1550 with a lifetime warranty
     
  9. kenoarto

    kenoarto Senior Member

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  10. kenoarto

    kenoarto Senior Member

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    Age and heat kill HV batteries. Mileage is not the most important factor.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
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  11. Another

    Another Senior Member

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    Not sure what you mean, but installed new cells is the key. The rest of the hardware if tested is fine.
     
  12. Another

    Another Senior Member

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    Age without continuing use is a problem. Age alone within limits is no problem. That’s why mileage is not the most important criterion.
     
  13. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

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    Greentec is not new cells there just same vintage cells in a nicely painted case.

    There are no new cells available unless you buy a brand new battery at the Toyota dealer.

    New Prius Battery is your best second bet.

    ABC your brand new to this forum. Start reading about this, Use the search forum link up top and search

    hybrid battery

    there’s hundreds of posts about people just like you. You did not drive the car much during Covid and it killed it. Hundreds just like you.
     
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  14. SFO

    SFO Senior Member

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  15. Another

    Another Senior Member

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    You are Incorrect
    Not sure what your motive is. Very odd post by you.
    Did you read their webpage?
    With Greentec you can chose either new cells or a pack with still functioning used cells. Not sure why anyone would not buy the new cell version.
    Maybe you confused it with Greenbean?
     
  16. abcFWB

    abcFWB New Member

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    First thank you everyone for your messages and suggestions!

    Actually I will admit my mistakes here - I bought it used AS IS from a Lexus Dealer in Fort Myers with no warranty (it was a trade in to them) - purchased back in May this year (it seems to have been taken care of per CarFax) however I did put a ton of miles since buying as I drove all the way up to VA and back (very windy routes) on a roadtrip to see family so yeah I shouldnt have purchased AS IS with no warranty and the miles i put on it from the roadtrip (up mountains and down mountains) probably help lead to it crapping out.

    So as such I am sucking it up and replacing the battery just dont want to do so with a brand new Toyota one on a car that I will probably sell in 1-2 years and am wondering what the options are out there - I found a mom and pop willing to install for 300-400 so just need to find a reputable seller for the refurbished battery who offers some type of warranty. I have read about Dorman one and it looks like Advance has it for 1399 + core --> who pays for the core if I am having a mechanic do the work on this and the mechanic order the battery from Advance? Do I still need to pay the mechanic 1399+core if they are ordering and installing? Or just the 1399 (plus labor obviously). Dorman has warranty on theirs - is there any better ones out there?
     
    #16 abcFWB, Sep 23, 2021
    Last edited: Sep 23, 2021
  17. Another

    Another Senior Member

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    Did you talk to the Lexus dealer that you bought the AS IS car from only a few months ago and ask them if there was anything they could suggest? I’ve found Lexus dealers very image conscious. Toyota dealers on the other had vary widely. Since they are related by blood to Toyota they have access to the appropriate tools and may help you out. Virtually all used cars out of warranty are sold AS IS but the dealer has its reputation to be concerned about. If that doesn’t work calling Lexus customer service corporate is a plan b, but I’d talk to the dealer first. The last thing a dealer wants these days is a social media backlash from a problem that they could have remedied at cost. The Toyota dealer you got the quote from has no skin in the game and so they are just trying to make a buck.
     
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  18. dolj

    dolj Senior Member

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    One word – Don't.

    Pony up another $199 and get a brand new set of 3rd party modules. There is no core fee and you get to keep your old modules, which you can sell for $25-$50 on eBay, or the mechanic might want them for $20-$30 each.

    Next best option, pony up 149 - $449 and get a new OEM, these can be found for $1650 - $1950 by buying online and collecting from the parts counter. If you are doing it yourself, you will pay a $1350 core deposit which will be refunded on return of your correctly packed old core. If you use a dealer they will give you a 3-year warranty and you won't need to pay a core fee (as they take care of that) and should only charge $600 - $800 to install it. If you have your mechanic install it, you will get the standard Toyota parts 1-year warranty and they should be able to install it for 2-3 hours labor, maybe a bit longer if they haven't done it before.

    Even though you want to keep the car for only 1 - 2 years more, the car will have more value with a new battery. A secondhand battery has no real value.
     
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