1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Traction Battery Replacement (Whats all the fuss?)

Discussion in 'Newbie Forum' started by 14.4v, Jan 8, 2018.

  1. 14.4v

    14.4v New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 4, 2018
    17
    24
    0
    Location:
    Denver
    Vehicle:
    2003 Prius
    Model:
    I
    Bought a used 02 over the weekend, got it home and started looking at it. Oil was overfilled by over a quart, intake plenum had a few ounces of oil in it, traction battery is DEAD. Oil pan was also severely dented, possibly leading to the critical overfill.

    Anyway, fixed up the oil pan then called around to a few dealers. First one i called has the battery coming for me on Wednesday, at a cost of $2200. Brand new Toyota battery... Job done.

    So, why is it such an ordeal? To me this has been a breeze! I am not trying to brag or anything. But these cars are simple to work on. I dont get the fuss. 26695241_2158442620836471_1876414556_o.jpg 26695841_2158471404166926_1089645075_o.jpg 26733118_2158442670836466_1851460366_o.jpg 26735600_2158972677450132_396714905_o.jpg
     
    SFO, Aaron Vitolins and RCO like this.
  2. ericbecky

    ericbecky Hybrid Battery Hero

    Joined:
    Mar 12, 2004
    4,365
    3,209
    1
    Location:
    Madison, Wisconsin
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    The fuss is that some dealers refuse to sell hybrid batteries to the public.

    Some people aren't comfortable taking apart the back of their car or moving a very heavy Hybrid Battery.

    Some folks don't have the right tools to do the job properly. For example many people don't own a torque wrench so they over or under tighten bolts/nuts causing damage to their car.

    Plus for many, their time is more valuable than money.
     
    SFO, VFerdman, RCO and 2 others like this.
  3. padroo

    padroo Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jan 11, 2008
    2,763
    2,250
    13
    Location:
    Chesterton, Indiana Another third world country.
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    That oil pan took a big hit. Oil over filled but looks clean. Did the bent pan cause the overfill on the dipstick do ya think ?
     
    14.4v and RCO like this.
  4. 14.4v

    14.4v New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 4, 2018
    17
    24
    0
    Location:
    Denver
    Vehicle:
    2003 Prius
    Model:
    I
    It took a hell of a hit! we will find out tomorrow when i put the oil back in. The oil has about 500 miles on it. Previous owners had the oil changed on 11.25.17 its been in the shop for a couple of weeks. only 97k on the car.
     
  5. padroo

    padroo Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jan 11, 2008
    2,763
    2,250
    13
    Location:
    Chesterton, Indiana Another third world country.
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    Good luck on your project, you sound confident.
     
    14.4v likes this.
  6. 14.4v

    14.4v New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 4, 2018
    17
    24
    0
    Location:
    Denver
    Vehicle:
    2003 Prius
    Model:
    I
    Thanks, Just gotta figure out how far to strip down the battery assy for when i swap it for the new. Pretty sure this diagram is what I should expect to get from the dealer.

    [​IMG]
     
    RCO likes this.
  7. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 1, 2016
    11,696
    11,317
    0
    Location:
    Central Virginia
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    There is also the liability of selling somebody a high voltage battery who does not know how to properly handle it. That voltage can be fatal.
     
    GregC1979, 14.4v, RCO and 1 other person like this.
  8. 14.4v

    14.4v New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 4, 2018
    17
    24
    0
    Location:
    Denver
    Vehicle:
    2003 Prius
    Model:
    I
    agreed, but driving said car is much more dangerous.
     
  9. RCO

    RCO Senior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 31, 2016
    3,709
    5,182
    0
    Location:
    Cornwall
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    I echo the wishes of good luck and suggest @Elektroingenieur may be the guy to ask about stripping down the battery.
     
    14.4v and pilotgrrl like this.
  10. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 28, 2016
    11,490
    14,095
    0
    Location:
    Tampa, FL
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Good point. And welcome to PC.

    You're right that changing out the traction battery is not hard at all, but that assumes you have the tools and information and you know a volt meter from a pry bar. :D
     
    14.4v, pilotgrrl and Prodigyplace like this.
  11. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 1, 2016
    11,696
    11,317
    0
    Location:
    Central Virginia
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    More dangerous than driving with explosive chemicals (gasoline) in the back and active explosions (ICE) in front? :eek:
     
  12. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 1, 2016
    11,696
    11,317
    0
    Location:
    Central Virginia
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    I have seen clueless people use screwdrivers to check voltage by shorting.:( I guess pry bars would work too.;)
     
  13. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,571
    48,862
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    welcome!
    i suppose some of the fuss is how much money is it worth investing in a 16 year old car.
     
    Robbski and 14.4v like this.
  14. 14.4v

    14.4v New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 4, 2018
    17
    24
    0
    Location:
    Denver
    Vehicle:
    2003 Prius
    Model:
    I
    costing less to fix this than it does to put a transmission in my minivan. so, i am ok with a total investment of 3k in this car with lower miles.

    i could be stupid though. i wouldnt know.
     
    bisco, jerrymildred and Raytheeagle like this.
  15. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 1, 2016
    11,251
    15,474
    0
    Location:
    Bay Area, California
    Vehicle:
    2019 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Plus
    You don’t have a significant other to remind you of your short comings :whistle::oops::sick::ROFLMAO::LOL:.
     
    14.4v, bisco, jerrymildred and 3 others like this.
  16. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 28, 2016
    11,490
    14,095
    0
    Location:
    Tampa, FL
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    I once converted a pair of side cuts into wire strippers by cutting the wires feeding a 277V light fixture that I was "sure" was shut off since it wasn't lit and I was "sure" it was on the same circuit as the others I'd already removed. Two nice notches in the side cuts. And, of course, once I did that, the power really was off on those wires. :eek: :D
     
    pilotgrrl, VFerdman, RCO and 2 others like this.
  17. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 1, 2016
    11,696
    11,317
    0
    Location:
    Central Virginia
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    True, but Toyota does not have that liability if the car is considered as past its expected useful life.
     
    14.4v likes this.
  18. 14.4v

    14.4v New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 4, 2018
    17
    24
    0
    Location:
    Denver
    Vehicle:
    2003 Prius
    Model:
    I
    It absolutley can. But, i can say this with confidence. Once you pull the plug, the battery circuit is broken in the center of the pack. You would then have to bridge the center cells post to make the battery in any way active again. Then, remove G9242 and its doubley so safe.

    "Trust me, I'm an EE" he said.
     
    Mark57 and RCO like this.
  19. 14.4v

    14.4v New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 4, 2018
    17
    24
    0
    Location:
    Denver
    Vehicle:
    2003 Prius
    Model:
    I
    Does anyone know if this is ready to swap as core with Toyota, or do I need to pull voltage sense cables etc? 20180110_190855.jpg 20180110_190855.jpg 20180110_185355.jpg
     
  20. ericbecky

    ericbecky Hybrid Battery Hero

    Joined:
    Mar 12, 2004
    4,365
    3,209
    1
    Location:
    Madison, Wisconsin
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    You are close. But there is still more work to be done and pieces you need to retain. (and you actually disassembled some stuff that you could have left assembled as a unit. No big deal. )

    You can leave the buss bars and voltage sensing wires. But be sure to put the plastic back covers on. The new pack comes with new black covers.

    Also, when you arrive you will need to put the two Toyota-supplied brown non-conductive brown mats inside the cover.

    Also you need to take that metal end that held the computers off and transfer it to the new pack. You actually didn't need to remove the computer from that metal assembly.

    You will need the vertical metal end plate from the metal battery cover. Also the yellowish/whiteish rectangular clip that holds that cover in place and the 10mm bolt.

    You will also need to mark the pack with the year, mileage, and VIN of your Prius.

    Wrap the ends of the voltage sense harness and the other harnesses in a plastic bag and tape them up. I use the bags and tape from the Toyota-supplied parts.

    When reassembling don't forget to use a torque wrench to properly tighten the nuts/bolts for the battery cables, etc. Very important! Do not use the air gun in your pictures!

    Fully inspect the new pack and make sure you have what you need before you leave your core.
    Be sure to get all the parts out of the shipping box before you leave. (nuts, foam baffles, leads, etc)

    This is from memory, so hopefully I didn't miss anything.

    Feel free to call me if you want to chat or clarify things.
     
    #20 ericbecky, Jan 10, 2018
    Last edited: Jan 10, 2018
    SFO, RCO, Prodigyplace and 3 others like this.