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Traction battery and the P0A80 code…

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by PNorth, Mar 9, 2022.

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  1. PNorth

    PNorth Junior Member

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    Hey folks,

    I got the red triangle of death on my 2007 Prius with 268,000 km (166,000 miles) on it.

    At first I wondered if I had over-filled the oil when I changed it. I’m always careful about that as I’ve read here about over-filling, but I’m fallible. The oil level turned out to be fine. In another thread, some people suggested the problem might be the inverter pump. I checked it, and didn’t see the turbulence in the reservoir, so I bought a new inverter pump (G9020-47031) from Toyota (cheaper from the dealership than Amazon, surprisingly) and installed it and bled the system, as per the fantastic DIY videos available.

    But, I still have the red triangle. I finally dug out my OBD II code reader (yeah, I know I should have started with that, but I couldn’t find it - with Toyotas the code reader doesn’t get much use). I ran the test and get the P0A80 code, “Replace Hybrid Battery Pack”.

    If I erase all codes, the triangle goes away and the car seems to run and drive fine, other than battery indicator on the car’s multi-function display showing the battery level more erratic than normal. Most of the time it’s still in normal range, but it’s going to the extremes of full charge and depleted much more frequently than before. Once the car is powered off and then turned back on, the P0A80 code returns.

    On the Doorman video on replacing the hybrid battery, it suggests that the hybrid battery cooling fan could be the source of the P0A80 code. I’m going to check that this weekend and blast it out with compressed air, but I’m wondering if there are other things that could cause the P0A80 code or if it’s a certainty that the traction battery needs replacement?

    I called a dealership and they said a new OEM battery is $3070 (Cdn.) and figured 6 hours to do the job ($800).

    Thoughts?
     
    #1 PNorth, Mar 9, 2022
  2. 2010moneypit?

    2010moneypit? Active Member

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    Definitely sounds like a traction battery problem. A lot of people on here have found corrosion on the harness and or the computer. (Located in the traction battery compartment)
    Your vehicle might be a good candidate for new priusbatteries.com. See what others have to say about it on his forum. It is fairly easy to do in about half the cost that you were quoted.
    The only problem with prius batteries.com is you have to use your old computer and harness you will need to do a good inspection to make sure there is no corrosion.
     
    #2 2010moneypit?, Mar 9, 2022
  3. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    There are different codes than P0A80 to indicate problems with the cooling fan. There are also different codes for corrosion or breakage of the voltage sensing lines. A P0A80 code is fairly specific about what it means.
     
    #3 ChapmanF, Mar 9, 2022
    2010moneypit? likes this.
  4. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    Yes, what he says here! The Stealership won't fix a minor easy repair like these if they can rip you off for a total replacement of the battery pack. Worst part is if it's cooling fan circuit corrosion the new battery won't fix the problem and they'll charge you even more to replace the ECU and other items and it still won't fix it, but they won't care because they made so much money off you in the process...

    Best bet is to install Dr. Prius app on your phone and monitor it and let us know what it says about subcodes of P0A80. And if your OBD2 reader doesn't work with Dr. Prius app, here's buyer's guide for one that does: Hybrid battery diagnostic and repair tool for Toyota and Lexus
     
    #4 PriusCamper, Mar 9, 2022
  5. alftoy

    alftoy Senior Member

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    #5 alftoy, Mar 9, 2022
  6. PNorth

    PNorth Junior Member

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    Thanks for all the advice! Got the Dr.Prius app and ordered one of the Bluetooth OBDII modules recommended on the site. I’m going to test it this weekend.
     
    #6 PNorth, Mar 11, 2022
  7. PNorth

    PNorth Junior Member

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    How is your experience with the NexCell Lithium?
     
    #7 PNorth, Mar 11, 2022
  8. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    Couldn't be happier thus far...
     
    #8 PriusCamper, Mar 12, 2022
  9. nancytheprius

    nancytheprius Active Member

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    How long and how many miles on it?
     
    #9 nancytheprius, Mar 12, 2022
  10. 2010moneypit?

    2010moneypit? Active Member

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    I think I am going to go with Nexcell depending on cost. I like the fact that they are sealed non-venting Unlike the OEM pack. Each battery cell has a vent.for the toxic fumes that gets produced during normal use.
     
    #10 2010moneypit?, Mar 12, 2022
  11. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    If you use my affiliate link: https://projectlithium.com/?ref=9qLPw when you buy I'd be happy to provide you support and walk you through the installation process when that day comes.
     
    #11 PriusCamper, Mar 12, 2022
  12. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    18 months and near 20K miles...
     
    #12 PriusCamper, Mar 12, 2022
  13. 2010moneypit?

    2010moneypit? Active Member

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    The website says sold out. Also the cost is 2100 according to the website for generation three. I will have to look at other options if my battery gives up totally. It is weak but not throwing any codes yet.
     
    #13 2010moneypit?, Mar 12, 2022
  14. Rockr21

    Rockr21 New Member

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    I have this same or similar issues I have a 2008 Prius 2, there's too much to write but maybe we could exchange Skype we can chat about each of our stories and maybe help each other out
     
    #14 Rockr21, Mar 12, 2022
  15. ttou68

    ttou68 Active Member

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    I was interested in it as well, but no inventory..
    However, I've checked online Toyota parts store locally and found that factory battery could be had for around $1700 if you're doing the labor yourself..

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    #15 ttou68, Mar 12, 2022
  16. 2010moneypit?

    2010moneypit? Active Member

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    1700 is the same price my Toyota dealer said. Hopefully OEM batteries are still made in Japan. I believe the nexcell is made China with only a two year warranty.
     
    #16 2010moneypit?, Mar 12, 2022
    Last edited: Mar 12, 2022
  17. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    You can get more years out of your battery via reconditioning... Next shipment of lithium packs comes in April... So sold out will go away and then comes back soon after. Let me know how I can help you with reconditioning after you've learned more about it.
     
    #17 PriusCamper, Mar 13, 2022
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  18. 2010moneypit?

    2010moneypit? Active Member

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    I did not want to spend money to recondition the battery that I have.
    By the time I purchased a prolong kit I figured it would cost at least $600. I did not want to do it the way of the hobby charger. Maybe I am wrong thinking that but I would rather just put the $600 toward a new battery.
     
    #18 2010moneypit?, Mar 13, 2022
  19. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    Why not just build your own gear for $100?

    Build Hybrid Battery Maintenance Gear For Under $100 | Page 3 | PriusChat
     
    #19 PriusCamper, Mar 13, 2022
    2010moneypit? likes this.
  20. PNorth

    PNorth Junior Member

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    Hey folks,

    So I ordered a Bluetooth OBDII adaptor and used the Dr. Prius app along with the Car Scanner app.

    Car Scanner reports the following codes:

    BB5B16DA-1CD6-41DA-BBAD-2E51A7BDC143.jpeg
    And here’s the screenshots from the Dr. Prius app:
    67FEEB2A-4A38-4A93-9AB4-4C179CE2935C.jpeg 32AA03D5-1EAF-4A73-9D5B-778972970658.jpeg CF36FB56-6633-40EC-8239-5009F1B1E1D5.jpeg 39BF5018-21E8-4603-ABDA-13E015E38363.jpeg A22F9E44-75DC-47B7-B19D-B478DF81575A.jpeg

    I took the hybrid battery fan out of the car, disassembled it, and blasted out the dust with compressed air, but there wasn’t much dust to speak of… it was pretty clean. We don’t drive with open windows. The fan spins, but not like a pristine bearing. Is there a way to test the fan to see if the motor actually works?

    I also took the cover off the hybrid battery’s ECU, wondering if I’d see corrosion, but it looks like the day it was made. I haven’t taken the cover off of the modules yet.

    18AFE0A1-9680-4B4F-90F5-76B4EBD38DE0.jpeg 1593178D-5918-4820-B39F-A6C06812AE58.jpeg 5A587978-3FDA-43F0-880D-A6D87E7841B0.jpeg 97EE0BBF-B743-4FE2-9BAA-97DA7A729E4F.jpeg

    It looks like at least one of the battery modules is kaput, but does the P3000 code mean that the hybrid battery ECU might be a problem too?
     
    #20 PNorth, Mar 18, 2022
    Last edited: Mar 18, 2022
    bisco likes this.
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