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Hybrid Battery Replacement

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Peter Chicarielli, Aug 14, 2024 at 12:12 PM.

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  1. Peter Chicarielli

    Peter Chicarielli Junior Member

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    Car: 2008 Prius - 150k miles

    Problem: I was noticing a decline in MPG and felt the car was working harder than in past years. I left the country for 6 weeks. Had a neighbor start the car, but he did not drive it. When I returned, it started right up, and I drove it to pick up food. During that short, 5 minute ride, I noticed a hard down-shift and the triangle of death appeared.

    State of Charge (SOC) was very low, and at a certain point, the car would not drive faster than 15 mph. I ultimately got an OBDII scanner and the Dr. Prius app, and after a 10 minute drive, the volt difference fluctuated between .2 and 1.5, with the SOC dropping fairly quickly, especially going uphill. The app said block 8 had issues, and gave P3000 codes. (image of dr. prius app)

    Possible Solutions:
    1) I have a friend who found someone on facebook marketplace who comes to your house, and replaces the battery all for $600. It's been a year since my friend had this done, and he's had no issues.

    2) A Toyota dealership down the road charges $2k for a new battery, and $1260 for labor (7hrs).

    3) I've also found reconditioned batteries online ranging from: $1000, $1588 and $1990.

    Options 2 and 3 would involve self installation. I would be able to install the battery myself, but wouldn't mind a more experienced person doing it ( just not at $180/hr for 7 hrs - Toyota Dealership rate).

    Any feedback or suggestions based on this info would be greatly appreciated. My Prius runs well otherwise, and I'm not concerned about dropping money into it at just 150k miles.
     
    #1 Peter Chicarielli, Aug 14, 2024 at 12:12 PM
  2. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

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    Ideally you'd like to have a new Panasonic EV battery of the same chemistry and makeup as you have in the car right now That's what came in the car If you can make that happen that's the most satisfying end to this game I have a friend who does the $600 battery thing to except I only pay like four and some change and I've had no problems but when you do that you are only looking at about 24 months of decent use and then you'll be back to the problem again then it's another $600 in your case and now you have $1,200 in 48 months approximately for the 1650 or whatever for the new battery cash and carry usually you get 8 years unless something really bad happens and it's not normal in any generation too for that bad to happen that's extremely rare so don't be looking for it You have to read through pages and pages to find one or two generation 2's that have had to go through any trifling nonsense It's usually very straightforward stuff. I would say if you can't make the Panasonic new battery happen then bite the bullet and go with your buddy's buddy for the $600 at least you have an inside track you'll get to know something and so on.
     
    #2 Tombukt2, Aug 14, 2024 at 1:13 PM
  3. saneesh8

    saneesh8 Junior Member

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    #3 saneesh8, Aug 14, 2024 at 1:56 PM
  4. Peter Chicarielli

    Peter Chicarielli Junior Member

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    #4 Peter Chicarielli, Aug 14, 2024 at 2:05 PM
  5. Peter Chicarielli

    Peter Chicarielli Junior Member

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    I hear ya. I think I'm going to go ahead with the new Battery from Toyota and install myself or find someone to install locally at a fair rate.

    I believe this car can last another 150k. Thanks Tombukt2!
     
    #5 Peter Chicarielli, Aug 14, 2024 at 2:06 PM
    bisco likes this.
  6. saneesh8

    saneesh8 Junior Member

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    If i have to do it on mine, i will also go this route. Genuine Toyota. Not the aftermarket / reconditioned. Clean the fan when you are there.
     
    #6 saneesh8, Aug 14, 2024 at 2:21 PM
  7. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    new toyota battery is your best bet if you're planning to keep it. refurbished if you're selling.

    the install isn't hard, but it takes serious research and caution around a high voltage item.

    lots of you tube guides and threads here.
     
    #7 bisco, Aug 14, 2024 at 2:38 PM
  8. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

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    It's a really easy install too other than removing the interior panels in the trunk which is two screws and pull and putting that stuff out of the way where you're not crushing it removing the brackets on top of the battery and the bolts on the very back of the battery against the seat back I leave those out when I put the battery back in because I know I'm going to be taking it out again I keep cars that long I even trim the brackets to make the battery removal much faster the second time around on and on and on most folks don't need to mess with this but it's an easy swap there's nothing to it even picking the battery up put it on a piece of flat plywood and stick it in the trunk and you can maneuver it around and swing it right in like a bad parking job no problem I'm not that big of a guy I weigh like 137 lb or something soaking wet and it's not a problem for me and I don't do any weight lifting
     
    #8 Tombukt2, Aug 14, 2024 at 3:14 PM
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