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Shop recommendation on battery repair or replacement?

Discussion in 'Gen 1 Prius Plug-in 2012-2015' started by Myrdx, Aug 7, 2022.

  1. Myrdx

    Myrdx Junior Member

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    Got the dreaded "Check HV system Stop the vehicle in safe place". Had to be towed to Toyota dealer. I was informed that I need new plug-in HV battery. Price they quoted me is $12K. Before I decide to total my 2013 Prius Plug-in with 155K miles which has been absolutely reliable until now any recommendation on repair shop who works on Plug-in model? So far I am having not having much luck finding one. I live in Salt lake City. Thanks in advance.
     
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    if you paid them for the diagnosis, please ask for the trouble codes and post them here.

    a failed phev battery is almost unheard of.
     
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  3. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Yeah, until yesterday I think you could strike "almost". The regular third gen batteries at a dealership parts counter, are what, $2K USD. And the plug-in battery is maybe twice the capacity? Could be supply/demand issues too: they're very hard to find.
     
  4. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    This is the part number I believe: G9510-47091.

    These guys might be your best bet:

    Buy Genuine Toyota G951047091 (G9510-47091) Battery Assy, Hv Supply for Toyota Prius. Prices, fast shipping - Amayama

    When I view that page (in west coast Canada) I'm seeing the cost as $8392 CDN, and it's not showing shipping cost. I've used these guys for small stuff: shipping IS typically shown. Window-shopping bigger items I've noticed often that shipping isn't shown. I've emailed them to ask about this and they've assured me if you start a purchase, before you have to commit they will get back to you with a firm shipping charge.

    In my experience all I was charged was the quoted price and shipping charge, no extras, say for taxes/duty.
     
    #4 Mendel Leisk, Aug 8, 2022
    Last edited: Aug 8, 2022
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  5. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    plug in battery is 4X hybrid battery, and lithium.
    if i were convinced my battery was bad, if i couldn't find a good salvage replacement, i would total the car, even in these days of high used values.

    still, it would take a lot of convincing, and i would jump through a lot of hoops first.
    i sure wouldn't take one dealers opinion
     
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  6. Myrdx

    Myrdx Junior Member

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    Toyota dealer report shows I need to replace battery because 3 of the 4 battery packs have failed. Asked for codes they found on OBD scanner to service rep. Later on rep said a tech who worked on it saw these codes: P1A61, P1A67, and P1A67.

    I am told replacing battery will cost $12k. One thing I noticed after they are done diagnosing when I starting the car for heck of it, which is still broke with same error message, I am hearing a loud fan noise from the battery pack I never heard before during entire time owning this vehicle. This blower fan being on full blast was never present prior to towing the vehicle to the dealer either. I asked them if they did something to cause battery blower fan to be on full blast continuously but they said all they did is hooked up the scanner for diagnostic. They said they all they did is cleared some faults and performed a safety recall for fuse (GGG85A H0R - Electric vehicle fuse fracture. 04007-1R147 M5 fuse kit).

    Anyways now vehicle has been towed to another shop (independent hybrid repair) for second opinion. Trying to find shop who can work on plug-in model has been challenging.
     
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  7. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Look up that Amayama link; I'd be curious to know what the cost would be for you in USD. If it's purely the exchange rate, say 0.8, the cost would be around $6700 USD. Plus maybe $500 to ship? Wouldn't hurt to find out.

    Replacement of regular third gen bybrid battery is well documented on YouTube; I can't see the plug-in battery being that more involved. An engine lifter might be needed (John Kelly uses one with a Prime battery removal). A short-term Toyota Tech Info subscription should get you the Toyota version of the procedure.

    Found this too:

    Battery Replacement: 2012-2015 Toyota Prius Plug-In Base 1.8L 4 Cyl.
     
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  8. Myrdx

    Myrdx Junior Member

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    I went though check out process up until last step of purchasing. It's not showing the shipping cost.
     
  9. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    What was the cost for you (without shipping)?

    You might want to contact them before going further (to avoid a battery on your doorstep...), but they did tell me in an email, if you complete a purchase without seeing shipping charge there will be a way to back out; they have to get back to you first with that number.

    I forget exactly what the payment process is too, but it's a little more convoluted.
     
  10. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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  11. Myrdx

    Myrdx Junior Member

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    USD price is showing (minus unknown shipping $) is $6,488.46 from Amayama.


    I did managed to find this shop in CA. Talked to them on the phone and they seem knowledgeable with Prius PHEV. They seem very skeptical that actual traction battery has failed as they see very far and few failing. They wont ship their battery to anyone however. They only work on vehicle at their shop and install upon their diagnosis. Pending second diagnosis with current independent repair shop I am considering towing my Prius all the from Salt Lake City, UT, to LA, CA.

    Toyota Prius Hybrid Battery 2012-2015 - Unlimited Miles | Hybrid Drive Batteries
     
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  12. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    the car was still running fine when you pulled over?

    did you try to restart?
     
  13. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    this is an interesting thread, and see tampa hybrids post specifically as well
     
  14. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    you list P1A67 twice, is that a typo? my concern is that they didn't give you any sub codes, and it looks to me like there are more possible causes than some bad modules.

    a bigger concern is dealers trying to get customers to trade in their cars so they can resll them at a huge profit.

    RM000004CS5007X.xml
     
  15. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    post #63 is interesting

    page-4
     
  16. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    also check the 12 volt health
     
  17. Myrdx

    Myrdx Junior Member

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    1. Yes car was running perfect never had an issue. Driving home from work on highway 70mph with still 5-6miles (60% of total 4.4kwhr) EV range left. Error message popped up and car went into limp mode at 40-50mph with ICE engine shut off on it's own. Car did not respond to gas pedal only brake pedal was working. Got off on the next exit and when stopped the at the off ramp stop it would no longer move. Later on cop had to bumper push me onto street side walk since car was blocking traffic.

    2. Typo. One of them should have been P1A64.

    3, I did ask Toyota dealer to check the 12V battery but I didnt double check that if they did when I came to pick it up to tow to another shop. I carry a portable DeWalt jump battery in the car which was used to jump start when this incident occurred in hope that 12V battery issue but didn't help. I have not tried to jump start from another car however. I did remove 12v negative and and positive terminal for 30min which didnt help. Also white LAN cable (one that keeps showing up for HV error message for Prius on Youtube) that plugs into engine bay fuse compartment for 30 min which also didnt help.
     
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  18. RobPHV

    RobPHV New Member

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    Can't believe three packs could suffer a low voltage cell simultaneously. Maybe a BMS issue?

    A Toyota hybrid specialist should be able to hook up Techstream and look at individual cells in the HV battery and the error history might show a pattern pointing to the BMS, e.g. if it is the same cell position in each stack which would suggest a BMS port issue.
     
  19. GregersonIT

    GregersonIT Member

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    Come and visit sunny california and let them take a look. You can probably rent a uhaul trailer and borrow a friends pickup for less than towing the car out there though or find a truck load going that direction.
     
  20. Myrdx

    Myrdx Junior Member

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    I have considered that until I was able to locate a refurbished battery from Greenbean which they have to build for $2300 with a 2 week lead time. Since Toyota dealer and local independent hybrid shop both diagnosed a bad traction battery I've decided to go this route instead of towing my vehicle to CA to a HV specialty shop which would have been a wash if I consider the fuel cost for towing and renting a U-Haul trailer.

    Honestly if wasn't for ridiculous current markup on new and used vehicles I would have totaled this vehicle and bought a hybrid of some sort. It has become long and lengthy process to repair this vehicle. I just hope when new battery arrives it fixes it. I just need this Prius PHEV to last another 2-3 years so I can buy a new vehicle as I am no longer confident that this vehicle will be as reliable as it has been considering its age.
     
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