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Hybrid TechnologyUnique topics related to the GS450H model hybrid drivetrain and other features/options found only on the GS450H. Please use the main 3GS forum for discussion about shared components with other third generation GS models.
I would take my chance to buy a used battery and rebuild the original when it comes out. If the original cannot be rebuilt salvage it for the good working cells.
Last edited by samsonn25; Nov 5, 2018 at 03:57 AM.
Reason: add
Well I am new to the Lexus hybrid forum but I've been down this road with a Honda insight.
Do a little searching on here, but I saw a thread here with someone mentioning these guys were a good experience.
I have read (and been told by the mechanic that took care of my exchange) that you can replace the individual cell(s) that has(have) gone bad. However, it's more time consuming and also doesn't take in to consideration that other cells may be on the verge of failure.
As for the core charge, the battery company may do just that: test the individual cells, replace the bad cell(s), re-test and then sell it as a re-conditioned battery at a reduced price.
There are places that can test and replace bad cells and try to balance the other cells.
I contacted one person in Virginia who says he can do it but it takes 2 weeks and you have to bring the battery to him. He charges under 900 and replaces up to 8 cells I think. If you drive there and need a loaner battery you have to pay a refundable core charge of 1800 until your battery is done.
Another person on Ebay has one refurnished and will accept your core in or near Austin Texas.,
Hybrid batteries were first replaced at 82,630 on Nov/2012 under warranty.
7/22/2024 Check hybrid system message on, no VSC or none of the other errors, car starts and drives, hooked up the obd scanner, threw no codes. wonder is it toasted again?
12 years of useage, its possible a few cells are bad and this throws the code because the computer has the battery pack cells all have to fall within a certain range, if 1 is out of that range it throws the hybrid battery pack replacement code and other stuff like the VSC
Totally driveable tho
My 07 GS450h went past 263k with only 2 or 3 weak cells.
Just bought a 2007 GS450h with 115k and the previous owner had the battery replaced about two months ago. I have the detailed RO I can post up if anyone is interested. It seems he paid cash out of pocket for the whole thing ($6000+ because he also had the 115k service done).
Nice.
If I was the previous owner I would sell the car as is and buy another used one for 7-9k
I'm the proud owner of a 08 450h currently at 158k miles and now it's my turn to face battery troubles. I'm in Chicago and not a single shop wants to do anything besides charge me for the full battery. I don't have a garage or the tools to do it myself, despite there being a literal ChrisFix video on doing it yourself. I guess my move now is to get a handful of shops and see who can give me the lowest number for getting a refurbished battery in there.
Update 7/27
So after a very stressful couple weeks, I finally got the job done unscathed. I went with a shop called Volts in Chicago. The job was done for under three grand, backed by a 3-year warranty, and led by a guy who has a PhD in battery technology. He was the only one besides the dealer who even knew what the car was, let alone has worked on it before. In his 15 years of experience, he's only seen about 3 come his way (LMK if that was any of you guys!) Anyways, he took the liberty of giving me a mini crash-course on NiMH batteries, how they've changed, etc. Very transparent with fair pricing (all things considered). I was dreading the death of my battery since the day I bought this car because it's just this expensive metaphorical nuke that hangs over your head until it happens, at least that's how it felt considering I bought it used for under 10 grand at a shoddy neighborhood lot. I had the vehicle's full history, but some details were lacking on the last battery replacement, which was all the way back in 2017. Anywho, I'm a happy camper having lived to tell the tale. If any of you have hybrid worries, hang in there, do your research, and think smart. Oh, and watch outtttt if you're driving your car while in hybrid error state (P0A80 or otherwise). The random full-limp-mode snaps will put the fear of God into you.
Update 7/27
So after a very stressful couple weeks, I finally got the job done unscathed. I went with a shop called Volts in Chicago. The job was done for under three grand, backed by a 3-year warranty, and led by a guy who has a PhD in battery technology. He was the only one besides the dealer who even knew what the car was, let alone has worked on it before. In his 15 years of experience, he's only seen about 3 come his way (LMK if that was any of you guys!) Anyways, he took the liberty of giving me a mini crash-course on NiMH batteries, how they've changed, etc. Very transparent with fair pricing (all things considered). I was dreading the death of my battery since the day I bought this car because it's just this expensive metaphorical nuke that hangs over your head until it happens, at least that's how it felt considering I bought it used for under 10 grand at a shoddy neighborhood lot. I had the vehicle's full history, but some details were lacking on the last battery replacement, which was all the way back in 2017. Anywho, I'm a happy camper having lived to tell the tale. If any of you have hybrid worries, hang in there, do your research, and think smart. Oh, and watch outtttt if you're driving your car while in hybrid error state (P0A80 or otherwise). The rando full-limp-mode snaps will put the fear of God into you.
What did he fix? All new matched cells or only faulty cell replacement and rebalancing?
