Help figuring out what to do with hybrid battery issues

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Technical Discussion' started by knickknack, Jan 28, 2023.

  1. knickknack

    knickknack New Member

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    I recently moved from California to Minnesota, and so far during my first Minnesota winter, I didn't drive my prius much, probably 6 times over the winter so far (probably bad I think?) Recently I turned on my car to run an errand that wasn't within walking distance and I got a very scary dash with the big red exclamation point and a yellow ((!)) light. I'm really bad with cars so I took it over to a local mechanic and he said that the hybrid battery had gone bad, with fun codes like:

    P3015, BATTERY BLOCK 5 BECOMES WEAK
    P3000, BATTERY CONTROL SYSTEM
    P0A80, REPLACE HYBRID BATTERY PACK
    C1241, ABS TOO LOW/HIGH BATTERY VOLTAGE
    C1259, HC SYSTEM REGENERATIVE FAULT
    C1310, FAULT HV

    I think this means I'd have to replace the hybrid battery, but it's not something that's within my budget at the current moment, and I'll have to save for a month or two to afford this. My family brought up that the battery might not be as bad as I think it is due to the cold and maybe the voltage is lower or something, so I guess my questions are:

    Has the hybrid battery died? It sounds like it has, but I'm not certain. If so, then should I do about it? And finally, how can I make my battery last long enough that I can save up to afford the replacement, which the mechanic quoted to be about $2650. Thanks in advance for the help!

    Additional details:
    2007, 127,887 miles
     
    #1 knickknack, Jan 28, 2023
  2. dolj

    dolj Senior Member

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    For $2650 ensure you are getting a brand new Toyota battery.

    To tide you over you might be able to buy some time by doing a top balancing charge. To do that you will need access to a suitable high-voltage battery charger like the one available from Hybrid Automotive.
     
    #2 dolj, Jan 28, 2023
    Last edited: Jan 28, 2023
  3. alftoy

    alftoy Senior Member

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    Local Toyota dealer could install a new battery for $3000, if the local mechanic is installing a rebuilt battery for $2650, he is taking your wallet for a ride. Did the local mechanic have anything to say about your 12 volt battery condition? If you are not driving the car much, the 12 volt battery may be run down, which could trigger a lot of dash warning lights.

    PC member, resident expert @strawbrad is in Minnesota and may be able to help if he is close to you. Give him a call. Brad can properly diagnose and get you back on the road for a lot less money.

    MN Hybrid Battery – MN Hybrid Battery

    Not sure if Brad's replacement batteries are $850 as in this old discussion, even so, it will probably be a third the price compared to your local mechanic.
    Minnesota hybrid batteries | PriusChat
     
    #3 alftoy, Jan 28, 2023
    Last edited: Jan 28, 2023
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  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    if you aren't willing to learn how to replace the bad cells, you're pretty much out of luck until you can afford to pay someone
     
    #4 bisco, Jan 28, 2023
  5. knickknack

    knickknack New Member

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    I asked about that earlier, the mechanic said he only uses new batteries because he's heard too many bad things about rebuilt batteries. I also made sure to ask about the 12v and he said and the bill reported that he made sure to first check if there were any issues with that. It was what I thought the issue was with the car when I first took it over to the mechanic, since the timeline lined up. Unfortunately it was the hybrid battery instead :(

    Although, from what I've read, this Brad guy seems really smart and reliable, given that the prius only has around 128k miles on it, would it be better to just shell out for the new battery, rather than risk the increased chance that the new battery will go bad?
     
    #5 knickknack, Jan 28, 2023
    Last edited: Jan 28, 2023
  6. alftoy

    alftoy Senior Member

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    Why not check with Brad considering the low mileage, battery may actually be in good shape, he can give you a second opinion. Can't say that he would replace the battery off the hop. Also how can you tell what the local mechanic installs. Also ask Brad the availability of new batteries from Toyota, seems the batteries are no longer available. Part # G951047031

    G951047031 - Battery assembly, hv supply. Electrical, wiring, cable - Genuine Toyota Part

    Interesting read on just like new batteries.
    Prius battery finally died after 10 years and 220,000 miles | PriusChat
     
    #6 alftoy, Jan 28, 2023
  7. knickknack

    knickknack New Member

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    It's very likely that he would replace it, since (I think) the battery is refurbished, and also probably crap. I bought the car from a family friend in 2020, and he mentioned that he replaced the battery recently before I bought it. In the years since, almost every other thing he had "fixed" had ended up going bad, with the battery being the last thing left that he had fixed. Fortunately, the cost of fixing his mistakes was still cheaper than it would've been to get a different car.

    I'll still check with Brad. Everyone seems to have nothing but nice things to say about him, and it can't hurt.
     
    #7 knickknack, Jan 28, 2023
  8. alftoy

    alftoy Senior Member

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    Another suggestion if your battery is questionable, ask Brad if he is able to rebuild your HV battery with low mileage 2016-20 Gen 4 modules. At least with Brad you know what you are getting.

    How will you know what the local mechanic installs if you are really bad with cars. I'm sure Brad can match the local mechanic price if you still want a new battery, better yet get the new battery installed at a Toyota dealer.

    Tip: Don't bother reading anything Tombukt2 says, if you are really bad with cars, he will just make your head spin.

    Gen 4 modules for Gen 2 pack | PriusChat

    Gen 4 cells in a Gen 2 | PriusChat

    Really Bad Battery Repairs | PriusChat
     
    #8 alftoy, Jan 29, 2023
    Last edited: Jan 29, 2023
  9. Todd Bonzalez

    Todd Bonzalez Member

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    If I was spending $2650 on a hybrid battery at a non-dealer location, I'd want a sworn statement that it's a new, genuine, OEM, crafted in Japan, Toyota part that's never seen the light of day before. Actually you'd never get that, :LOL: so I'd probably spend the extra couple hundred to get it done at a dealer.

    If you don't have that kind of money buy a refurb or rebuilt battery, or (if your skills allow) swap out the bad battery block(s) yourself.
     
    #9 Todd Bonzalez, Jan 29, 2023
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  10. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

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    Want to kill a hybrid battery let the car sit.
     
    #10 edthefox5, Jan 29, 2023
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  11. Todd Bonzalez

    Todd Bonzalez Member

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    Yep some senior owned mine before me. They ley the car sit for 6 or 7 months during COVID...had to replace both batteries
     
    #11 Todd Bonzalez, Jan 29, 2023
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