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Help? To fix or not to fix? Gen3 P3000-388, catch-22? Traction Battery too low for start?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by frankk74, Mar 2, 2020.

  1. SFO

    SFO Senior Member

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    Good question, and you would think it would be a sticky.

    You might find something in the gen2 forums if you used the 'advanced search' feature, as I thought it existed there once before. If you do find it, or figure out how to DIY and build one, please post/share the thread or walkthrough here for the rest of us.

    Before I go on, contact Steve Keith at PHOENIX HYBRID BATTERIES as he has definitely built one before. If you do make contact, please let him know that everyone at PChat says Hello, and misses him.

    For not much more than the cost of DIY parts or a modest rental, others have used the EC-570 "Electrophoresis Power Supply" for top end balancing/charging, you can find one for under $100. There could be an even less expensive HV power supply option if you spent time reviewing the various specs of the used electrophoresis power supplies that are currently available, as some sell for half that price. If you do find a less expensive option, please share the make, model, and specs here as well.
     
  2. frankk74

    frankk74 Junior Member

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    Just to follow up....

    A dead battery can be caused by a blown engine that cannot be started.

    First dealer didn't put car on a lift and do a visual inspection. Second dealer did that and they also knew about the THS charger. But there would have been "rental/shipping charges" if it is/was required....

    So, sometimes it is good to get a second opinion...

    Will be selling "as-is, where is" in case anyone is interested (won't be free or low-balled)...

    Thx

    Frank

    P.S. if I had followed the 1st (stealer)dealership I would have been out $3400 and then still have a dead car... buyer beware....
     
  3. SFO

    SFO Senior Member

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    Who determined that the engine was blown, and how did they come to that diagnosis?
     
    Raytheeagle likes this.
  4. frankk74

    frankk74 Junior Member

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    Second dealer... 2012-PriusV-hole.jpg 2012-PriusV-oil.jpg
     
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  5. frankk74

    frankk74 Junior Member

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    Weird thing/thought.....

    Why doesn't something somewhere in car record Diagnostic codes?

    You would think low oil warning light (not sure it was lit, I wasn't driving) or any other dramatic/serious code is recorded for reference in a permanent storage place like nvram?

    Wouldn't toyota and other car manufacturers want to know the vehicle was on/driven out of spec????

    The whole affair to me was really weird. Yes, it did not help that no information about failure was provided. (all I can say is driven into ground by someone's ex-wife, not mine).....

    Thx

    Frank
    EX car driven by an EX-wife in non-mint condition

    See AD here: https://www.priuschat.com/threads/fs-2012-prius-v-155k-miles-needs-engine-ont-canada-ny.215062/#post-3018919

    One more hole in engine picture added here.... 2012-PriusV-hole2.jpg
     
    #25 frankk74, Mar 27, 2020
    Last edited: Mar 27, 2020
    bisco likes this.
  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    many dealerships are clueless at best, thieves at worst.

    toyota warnings are the worst, if you even get one.

    there's a secret black box in the car that only toyota corporate has access to, not the dealers.