12v battery replacement cost

seems high, i'd shop around a little, or if you can diy, save a ton.

 

elearnaid sells a kit with very clear instructions for $180 including the optima yellow top battery

Toyota Prius 12 Volt Auxiliary Battery with install kit for 2004 - 10

Free shipping to US

Liberty Toyota sells the Toyota Prius battery for $150, I am unsure if shipping is included.

Toyota & Scion Car Parts in Burlington NJ | Liberty Toyota Scion Auto Parts

 

Just had mine replaced a week ago, the dealer charged $200 installed.

 

I purchased the Elearnaid Optima Yellow Top kit when it cost $165, it was an easy clean install and their kit was very helpful.

When our other Prius needed a new battery I got the Yellow Top from Amazon for $160, because Elearnaid had raised their price to $180. The install took a bit longer as I had to modify the OEM battery terminals to fit. Not pretty, but it worked.

 

Definitely too high. The dealer is charging you way too much.

Like Rest, I chose to install an Optima yellow top battery from Elearnaid before they raised the price. Easy install and you get a battery than handle deep discharging.

 

great price. the battery alone is close to that. well done.

 

RUN

I got it done at a dealer for $178 with a battery reading 12.6 V. I was quoted ~$320 and $240 elsewhere IIRC but I thought they were expensive and kept shopping around.

 

I replaced the 12 v battery about a month ago in my 2006 Prius. Cost $175 + $100 labor at dealer. Checked a 3 auto parts places incl Sears & no one carried a replacement, so I went to dealer. runs great.

 

A dummish question:
Is there anyway I can "goof" and damage/harm the Prius by installing an Optima?
Yes,I know there are an unlimited number of ways to do something wrong, but is there any "simple" way to goof?
Assume I'm capable of getting the poles correct, but I noticed in the Optima instructions it says something about changing the leads/cables?
What should I watch out for when installing it?
Thanks
Charlie
PS Over the years I found there is usually a downside to straying from OEM specs/parts.Usually the downside is discovered AFTER something expensive breaks. Yes a battery is just a battery-simple chemical/electrical energy device, but...

 

There is always the possibility of botching the job but as long as you are careful and do not allow the battery cables to touch or ground out the positive cables you will be fine. It's a very simple upgrade IMO and the instructions work well.

 

Ordered an Optima last week for $180.
After I take a crack at installing it I will tell you.

 

F8L wjtracy
Thanks.I'll "watch" your install.
There are a couple of online videos-one of the optima-one OEM- The Optima installer was a pretty adept DIY- he critiqued of the Optima install kit- not perfect- he had to shim several things(cable clamp not perfect, Optima battery a bit too tall)- but seemed pleased overall. I wouldn't describe it as simple- not OEM or Optima kit.
Installing the engine or cabin filter are simple-oil change-simple(dirty of course).
The battery replacement- isn't quite simple-looks like it is a 1.5 -2 hr hour job-maybe longer.
wjtracy- maybe you can time it?
Thanks
Charlie
PS I wonder how essential it is to keep the system "powered" with a 12v battery while doing the replacement? I wouldn't care if it lost some setttings- but I would care if it wouldn't restart.Installing a temporary battery looked like something I/others could goof up-and cook my electronics. I'm a pessimist about such things- always looking for potential problems-goofs.

 

I'm pretty sure it only took me 30 minutes or so as I had students standing around waiting for me to finish so we could start our stream monitoring project. They wouldn't have waited for 2 hours that's for sure.

Just get the correct tools ready and it should be an easy task. Have your ready the write ups posted on this forum yet? I'd link you to them but i'm on my cell phone.

 

The last time I took out a battery I rooted around in my toolbox and found an old 0.5 amp trickle charger (low amperage, designed for motorcycle battery use).

Even that amperage is likely overkill for the purpose of retaining memories, but it has worked ok for me. For the Prius, things I can think of that might get lost with battery disconnection:

1. Window auto up/down function (pretty sure this did happen to ours, when they replaced our 12 volt at time of purchase) (the relearn procedure is doable by owner. I've done it once, but dang if I can remember which one it was: there are at least a couple.)

2. Tire Pressure Monitor settings (just a guess: this might be lost)

3. Radio presets (no big deal)

I'd suggest to hook up something like that, at the jump-start terminal under the hood. Just be careful with polarity: postive lead to the bare copper terminal in the fuse box, negative lead to an exposed bolt or nut on the engine block. There is a handy bolt head on the block, directly accross from the fuse box.

Connect that up, then disconnect your battery. With all connections, negative lead is connected last and disconnected first. A handy way to isolate disconnected leads is by pushing a heavy rubber glove over them.

Just a thought: 12 volt replacement will be a lot easier if you go with the stock battery.

 

Here are a couple of links that may help.

Prius Optima Aux

http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-ii-...ooting/61243-replaced-12v-battery-optima.html

Prius 12V swap

 

Nope, following their instructions it takes a while but goes well. Do be careful about not losing any screws or bolts from the vent ducting: at least one of them will fall right out when you pick up the duct and run for the nearest body cavity. And it can take considerable hand strength or the help of a vice to disassemble the positive clamp.

If a dealer will replace it for less than $250 that would be entirely reasonable.

 

Dealer asked for $220 + tax to put on a new 12V for me. Mine is 5 years old now, but dealer asked me why I want to change it since it is still running strong. May be I will wait until winter and check it again.

 

Did you check the voltage at the battery terminals and after sitting for 8hrs? Sometimes the dealer says the battery is fine but it's really not.

 

Yes, I checked through the MFD (as suggested on PC) after sitting for a long time as well as after driving for few hours. Both times it was fine (don't remember the numbers, but I posted it here somewhere). At the dealership yesterday, I drove for 20 min before he checked it (car was sitting for days prior to that 20 min).