Thank you so much Magellan55! Sorry for the late reply, didn't have notifications on.
Does anyone have experience with swapping out the hybrid battery?
My car is now over 200,000 miles. I just got a new tranny because of the recall. Want to fix up the car and give it to my daughter. I've found a replacement battery at a junk yard. It's been out of the car for about a month.
I am currently getting the "Check Hybrid System" message on my dash. I am currently doing the unplug the standard battery trick to reset it. It seems that it is heat-related. It's been hot the last week or so.
I wouldn't replace the traction battery until you knew for sure the battery is a problem. Especially with a junkyard battery with no known history! These batteries have lasted a long time on Priuses, with Consumer Reports testing showing they have minimal degradation even after 12 years. A $75 diagnosis from the dealer (a Toyota dealer can do it if you want to save $$) is probably a worthwhile investment. The other thing is labor - that battery is several hundred pounds, and likely needs special lift equipment to remove safely just due to the weight and where it is. Here's what it looks like from inside the car after you remove the rear seat:
Plus the danger of unknown voltage and amperage when unhooking that monster. There are many independent hybrid shops that can diagnose your check hybrid system warning and the battery and even replace a few bad cells instead of the entire unit.
I cleaned out the vent on the rear driver's side door. So far so good! Also, the temperature has dropped and I'm not having any problems so far, only been 2 days.
I will for sure go get the car diagnosed. Milage is still not great. I'm hoping it's just a few bad cells.
I'll keep you posted and thanks again for the great advice!
First, let me say that you can do the disconnect and reconnect your STANDARD battery trick for quite some time. I did it for 3 weeks. Basically, when the "Check Hybrid System" light comes on, as do a few other lights. Simply disconnect your standard battery for 30 seconds and reconnect. The system will reset and off you go!
As it turned out I had 2 bad "blocks" that were low in voltage. I believe a block is 2 7.4volt batteries linked together. Ted did all the labor and replced both bad blocks. My total was $700. Most of it was labor. He did it in a day. My buddy at work used this guy too and did the work himself on his Prius. I think Ted sells the reconditioned blocks for $50. Essentially you would need to take a voltmeter to each block and measure it. So if you want to save money and do it yourself it's the way to go. I'm sure Ted would be happy to advise you how to do it. He's a sweet guy!
As it turns out the vent on the driver's side door in the rear was indeed VERY dirty. When Ted opened up the back set he said the fan and tubing leading to it was very dirty too. So on hot days, running the AC, my hybrid battery would heat up. So there you have it. My vent was clogged so on hot days, running the AC the hybrid battery's voltage would run low, because of 2 lousy blocks!
My car has 210,000 miles on it and was running at about 32mpg. Now I am back up to 38 and the car runs nicely. Thank you Ted!
"There are many independent hybrid shops that can diagnose your check hybrid system warning and the battery and even replace a few bad cells instead of the entire unit."
First, let me say that you can do the disconnect and reconnect your STANDARD battery trick for quite some time. I did it for 3 weeks. Basically, when the "Check Hybrid System" light comes on, as do a few other lights. Simply disconnect your standard battery for 30 seconds and reconnect. The system will reset and off you go!
As it turned out I had 2 bad "blocks" that were low in voltage. I believe a block is 2 7.4volt batteries linked together. Ted did all the labor and replced both bad blocks. My total was $700. Most of it was labor. He did it in a day. My buddy at work used this guy too and did the work himself on his Prius. I think Ted sells the reconditioned blocks for $50. Essentially you would need to take a voltmeter to each block and measure it. So if you want to save money and do it yourself it's the way to go. I'm sure Ted would be happy to advise you how to do it. He's a sweet guy!
As it turns out the vent on the driver's side door in the rear was indeed VERY dirty. When Ted opened up the back set he said the fan and tubing leading to it was very dirty too. So on hot days, running the AC, my hybrid battery would heat up. So there you have it. My vent was clogged so on hot days, running the AC the hybrid battery's voltage would run low, because of 2 lousy blocks!
My car has 210,000 miles on it and was running at about 32mpg. Now I am back up to 38 and the car runs nicely. Thank you Ted!
"There are many independent hybrid shops that can diagnose your check hybrid system warning and the battery and even replace a few bad cells instead of the entire unit."
THANK YOU CLUTCHLESS! You are correct sir!
thanks for your reply, how long have you had the car, its good to see one at over 210,000 miles. did you have to replace the suspension or any of that stuff yet? if so how much what the total?
whats been your most expensive repair?
is there any after market parts that we can put on?
Got it with 55,000 on it. I've driven it all over in all sorts of conditions. Bottom line, I'm not real polite with my car. It's been down dirt roads. Over Sonora Pass many times etc, etc. Just had a new tranny put in it for free (recall) at 200,000! lol!
Replaced struts. Brakes a few times, rotors once. Recommend the red stuff brake pad wise. Played with many tires, like the Michelins the best, sort of soft and wear out faster though; best milage by a long shot.
Dinged my front bumper more than I care to mention. It's a piece of ****! If you look at it the wrong way. It will come undone. Same goes for the rear bumper! Be careful! NEVER touch the bumpers! If you gently touch a pole or anything with it, the damn thing will fall apart. If they take minor impact they will fall apart!
I'm not petite. 240 lbs. Was leaning against the car, drivers side between door and wheel well. Pushed off the car with my butt. And it caused a dent!!!! UGH!!!
My main gripe is it burns oil. About a quart every 1000 miles or so. According to the dealership this is "within spec."
Bottom line, it's an awesome car for the money, but it has it's flaws. Overall, very happy and think it will go another 100,000. Runs great!
Got it with 55,000 on it. I've driven it all over in all sorts of conditions. Bottom line, I'm not real polite with my car. It's been down dirt roads. Over Sonora Pass many times etc, etc. Just had a new tranny put in it for free (recall) at 200,000! lol!
Replaced struts. Brakes a few times, rotors once. Recommend the red stuff brake pad wise. Played with many tires, like the Michelins the best, sort of soft and wear out faster though; best milage by a long shot.
Dinged my front bumper more than I care to mention. It's a piece of ****! If you look at it the wrong way. It will come undone. Same goes for the rear bumper! Be careful! NEVER touch the bumpers! If you gently touch a pole or anything with it, the damn thing will fall apart. If they take minor impact they will fall apart!
I'm not petite. 240 lbs. Was leaning against the car, drivers side between door and wheel well. Pushed off the car with my butt. And it caused a dent!!!! UGH!!!
My main gripe is it burns oil. About a quart every 1000 miles or so. According to the dealership this is "within spec."
Bottom line, it's an awesome car for the money, but it has it's flaws. Overall, very happy and think it will go another 100,000. Runs great!
oh yeah I can get a new tyranny put it also, Im wondering if I should get a new one put in right away or wait until 200,000 miles like you.....
My hS 250 is still under the extension period for the 150,000 recall on the engine.
speaking of bumpers and grills why cant we make out hs250 look like the 2013 model? can we do any modifications to this car? or are we stuck with the same radio and grill, forever?
Get the transmission replaced now as you do not want to have the dealer later deny coverage because you waited too long and the recall expired etc etc. Just do it.
