looking at all the vehicles, tens of thousands or more, being submerged in and around Houston from Harvey had me wonder if the hybrid battery would be ok from one of these submerged vehicles? Would it make a difference between the Prius being on/running or off and then flooded? I am wondering/asking because I see unscrupulous people with nefarious intent getting them, then selling them to unsuspecting Prius owners.
i think the battery would be toast if submerged, whether on or off. there will be many shady people getting these cars up and running in the next couple of years, and a lot of desperate people looking for a cheap car: buyer beware!
They'd definitely be toast. I had a hihy that the flood level in Lagos, got to the HV pack. All the modules were shorted and discharged. The ones at the driver and passenger sides were reading 0.01V, while the middle one, was still on 8.45V. I had thought I'd be able to resuscitate the pack. I spent almost a month, bringing them back to 10-11V. All the voltage sense wires were badly corroded and burnt. ECU and contactor weren't reusable. Had to get a complete HV pack, after the one I resuscitated, wasn't holding charge, some weeks later. The crux there is if the pack isn't submerged to such a depth of the pack, and the pack wasn't resting for a long time in it, I am sure, it can be reused. Dxta
Pictures below are in reference to post #4 Fig1: HV pack area submerged Fig2: Pack corroded and voltage harness burnt Fig3: battery ECU pinouts burnouts Fig4: Contactors where you have the big HV relays.
Most likely these cars would have salvage titles. And therefore, the traction warranty would be invalidated.
