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A Q for you techie guys, dealership can't answer this....

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by priusrecon, Sep 14, 2017.

  1. priusrecon

    priusrecon Member

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    2006 Toyota Prius with 126,000 miles.

    This spring my red triangle came on along with a bunch of dash lights. The SOC meter then became
    erratic and the engine would cycle on and off erratically while the car idled at stoplights.

    Took it to mechanic, who
    checked the computer and found only one error code: "Replace HV Battery"....no other codes. Other
    than that one code thrown, he found no other errors or problems with the car. He said this incident
    was probably brought about by the car sitting unused for weeks while I was overseas, and to just
    drive the car.

    So I drove the car, the triangle and dash lights went away, and the car drove fine until last week
    (about 6 months).

    Then the same thing happened. Took the car to the dealership, and they got the "Replace HV Battery"
    code again. When pressed, they (the dealership service technician department) COULD NOT tell me what
    that code really meant....they didn't know, just that there was something wrong with the battery and
    it needed to be replaced. Quite frankly, this level of ignorance surprized me coming from a big
    sprawling Toyota dealership technical service department.

    What does that code mean?

    Is that problem one that could potentially be fixed by a cell replacement procedure, or is it
    definitely a "throw the whole HV battery out and get a new one" type error code?

    I'm thinking of ordering a remanufactured batt from one of those online refurbishing companies
    and installing it. Anyone have opinions on those companies which ones are the best?

    Thank You,
     
    #1 priusrecon, Sep 14, 2017
  2. The Electric Me

    The Electric Me Go Speed Go!

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    I think maybe "Replace Hybrid Battery" means....it's time to Replace The Hybrid Battery.
    It's not the cheapest cost option, but I would recommend just getting a new OEM Toyota Hybrid Battery.
     
    #2 The Electric Me, Sep 14, 2017
    M in KC and Mendel Leisk like this.
  3. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Do you have the code, could you post it?
     
    #3 Mendel Leisk, Sep 14, 2017
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  4. fotomoto

    fotomoto Senior Member

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    It's most likely the general P0A80=replace hybrid battery. It has become weak and unbalanced. If it hasn't already, the next code(s) to come up will be tell them what module(s) has/have failed.

    See the link in my signature below for what I did.
     
    #4 fotomoto, Sep 14, 2017
    Last edited: Sep 14, 2017
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  5. priusrecon

    priusrecon Member

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    Just talked to dealer again....told me these codes:

    B1421 (older history code)
    P3000
    P0A80
     
    #5 priusrecon, Sep 14, 2017
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  6. M in KC

    M in KC Active Member

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    BINGO! P0A80 =Replace Hybrid Battery. You have an 11 year old battery, typical life expectancy is 10ish. You got your time's worth. IF the vehicle is worthy of a replacement battery I highly recommend to just let Toyota put a brand new HV battery in for you and be done with it. Don't be tempted by the lower cost rebuilt/remanned batteries.
     
    #6 M in KC, Sep 14, 2017
  7. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    Whatever you do, don't buy a DORMAN battery. They are repaired by elementary school students and then painted orange after
     
    #7 JC91006, Sep 14, 2017
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  8. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    you can replace a cell, install a rebuilt or install a new battery. it depends on your budget, how long you intend to keep the car, and what reliability you are looking for.
     
    #8 bisco, Sep 14, 2017
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  9. Lesk_The_Glut

    Lesk_The_Glut Junior Member

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    Unfortunately, dealer mechanics are simply parts changers. They wouldn't know, or even want to know, how to really diagnose traction battery issues.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    #9 Lesk_The_Glut, Sep 18, 2017
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