"Check Hybrid System" message w/ a good Ready/Start Light

Did you get the chance to pull the codes? We'll know how to help troubleshoot with you.

 

Have machine, or take it to auto zone

 

Welcome! We've heard reports that at least one Auto Zone can now read hybrid codes. But that was an isolated instance. AFAIK, the generic shops can only read generic codes. You can try A Z, but I wouldn't count on it.

 

Not a good sign! There should be sub codes that tell you just what's wrong with the battery.

 

You definitely don't want to clear codes, especially if there's a possibility warranty may apply. Or goodwill warranty extension from Toyota. Just leave it as-is, for the Toyota mechanics to have the full picture.

Uh oh...

 

There's still hope for some goodwill assistance from Toyota. As @Mendel Leisk said, don't clear the codes. And there are sub codes, no matter what AutoZone said. The dealer can read them. They will tell which cell or cells are bad, or if it's something else in the battery. Or lots of us here could as well if we were close by.

 

check out the new aftermarket battery from one of our members here in colorado.

 

Also, considering your location, there's got to be a lot of dealership nearby: get quotes from 'em all. Say blanket email all the service departments, and/or call.

Maybe first let the dealership you're working with now know you're going to check around: they might "sharpen their pencil" some...

 

McGeorge retails the battery (with the proviso that you return them your old one) for $2082.50. Your quote of $3700 looks to have a lot for labour.

Battery for 2010 Toyota Prius | Toyota Parts

 

Bummer. @bisco and @Mendel Leisk offer good ideas. You could also consider a nearly new used battery from a wreck, if you can find one. But, if you're putting 20k+ miles per year on it and plan to keep it, maybe new is better in the long run.

 

I just got through replacing my hybrid battery a 2nd time. Bought a "kit" from FALCON HYBRID. The kit comes in 3 separate boxes and you have to assemble the 28 battery pack. A bit challenging, but there are some techniques that definitely help after you have done it. The first battery they sent me lasted for only 3 months. Car has 132k (2010 model). This failure indicated only the P0A80 code for a while. I kept driving and using ENGINE LINK with CARISTA OBD adapter to monitor and performing resets / clearing codes. The pack continued to deteriorate until I had indication that two blocks were failing. Of note, the warning lights seemed to come on when the Vmax-Vmin exceeded 1 volt.
Overall, changing the battery pack is not that hard. Takes me about 3.5 hrs total which includes assembling the 28 cells -- the lengthy part.
I recommend ENGINE LINK for iPhone -- easy to use and good information with downloadable log.
I am not sure how I feel about FALCON HYBRID -- why did their pack fail after 3 months? Also, their support has been very poor, with no instructions. They talk a great game on the sales side, but do not provide adequate support.
I am driving the car again and I still have the ToD with "Check Hybrid System" but only codes in History -- nothing current. I think FALCON HYBRID told me that the car needed around 10 cycles to work the kinks out (sufficient charge/discharge times)....fingers crossed.

 

If you are installing yourself anyway the $1600 kit of NEW cells from @2k1Toaster is an excellent choice. I believe Falcon, Dorman, Green Bean and others just build a battery of used modules, test, and sell. It will fail much sooner than new.
2k1Toaster works with batteries for a living so he has sourced quality calls as proven by the experts and others that have tested them.

 

Yes, I visited the site and took a look. I wish I knew about 2k1Toaster sooner! For now, my $1400 to Falcon is a sunk cost and I will just hope it works out....a strategy based on hope is all I have now.

Interesting, my "Check Hybrid System" light is still on. Falcon Hybrid says it stays in history for some time so you don't reset the code and sell the car. Anybody know how long this stays around? I have about 120 miles on the car after the battery change now.

 

@ericbecky @TMR-JWAP the light should not stay on, should it?