Lost only key, got a new one at dealer, now hybrid battery is suddenly dying.

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by chickharley, Jul 24, 2015.

  1. chickharley

    chickharley New Member

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    We lost our only key to our 2005 Prius. We looked and looked for 2 weeks, knowing the cost to replace the only battery would be high and finally used AAA to have it towed to the dealership because that would have been cheaper than the locksmiths we called. They programmed a new one and sent us on our way. We got 10 minutes down the road and a bunch of warning alerts popped up, so we drove back to the dealership, where they put it on the diagnostic machine and charged us $100 to tell us that the hybrid battery is failing and we are 2,000 miles over the warranty.

    There were absolutely no signs of the hybrid battery dying before we lost the key and brought it to the dealership. Is it just a crappy coincidence, did it sitting for 2 weeks do something to it, or is there something fishy going on here?
     
    #1 chickharley, Jul 24, 2015
  2. The Electric Me

    The Electric Me Go Speed Go!

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    I've got to vote "Crappy Coincidence" because I can't imagine any way a lost fob and a programming of a new fob could possibly lead to HV battery failure.

    People would probably tell you 2 things. 1st, how's your 12 volt battery? Check and Replace it first. Much cheaper and if it weakens it can cause a lot of ghost symptoms.

    Secondly, if it does turn out you need a whole new HV battery and are only 2000 miles past warranty, contact Toyota and see if you can get any "goodwill" pro-rated coverage help. There have been posts where Toyota has been pretty generous. No guarantees but it doesn't hurt to ask.
     
    #2 The Electric Me, Jul 24, 2015
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  3. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    Just ask the dealer to call Toyota for a goodwill warranty on the battery. At just over 2000 miles over the warranty, they may cover some of the repair cost
     
    #3 JC91006, Jul 24, 2015
  4. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Yup.
     
    #4 Mendel Leisk, Jul 24, 2015
  5. chickharley

    chickharley New Member

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    We just replaced the 12V battery a couple months ago, so we know it isn't that. The dealership is supposed to call us back with the verdict on the warranty after they call the powers that be.
     
    #5 chickharley, Jul 24, 2015
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  6. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    2000 miles over warranty is very close; keep your fingers crossed. :)
     
    #6 Mendel Leisk, Jul 24, 2015
  7. The Electric Me

    The Electric Me Go Speed Go!

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    That isn't IMO necessarily a iron clad verdict that your 12 volt is good. Sometimes a new battery can be bad. Or have been sitting for a long time. I'd still want a check to make sure.
     
    #7 The Electric Me, Jul 24, 2015
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  8. RobertK

    RobertK Member

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    I'd want to know the voltage of the 12V battery before I did anything. Leaving the car alone for two weeks with the Smart Key system activated could be enough to lower the voltage to the point where unusual things happen. The dealership probably had the car in ACC or IG-ON mode while programming the new fob as well. A newer 12V battery probably needs a full charge after that treatment, while an older 12V battery might be toast.

    On the other hand, if the HV battery needs replacement, now is the best time to get any kind of consideration from Toyota regarding a replacement. A new HV battery now is not a bad thing if you can get it at a good price.
     
    #8 RobertK, Jul 24, 2015
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  9. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    is it acton toyota? they're good people.
     
    #9 bisco, Jul 24, 2015
  10. chickharley

    chickharley New Member

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    No, it is Westboro Toyota. They really seem kind of incompetent. When I just called again they said if it is over warranty there is nothing they can do. I'm going to call Toyota directly.

    I'm guessing the 12V battery wouldn't make the car be unable to go over 15 miles an hour up a hill? I can certainly still check the voltage, too.
     
    #10 chickharley, Jul 29, 2015
  11. chickharley

    chickharley New Member

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    Just to be clear: I don't mean that they are incompetent because they won't give me the warranty. They first giving me a call back because they thought I just wanted to know the warranty. And after not being able to look up my account info even though I was just in.
     
    #11 chickharley, Jul 29, 2015
  12. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    definitely call toyota yourself. maybe call acton toyota of littleton, and ask the service manager his opinion of a goodwill warranty if you brought the car there. check the 12v health.
     
    #12 bisco, Jul 29, 2015
  13. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    a 10 year old hybrid battery could easily drain if it was low to begin with. might have damaged a cell or two. is the engine starting?
     
    #13 bisco, Jul 29, 2015
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