Hybrid Battery replacement Gen 2 suggestions?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by priusrust, Sep 23, 2023.

  1. priusrust

    priusrust Member

    Joined:
    Feb 10, 2018
    193
    67
    0
    Location:
    MA
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Hello
    1. technical question: how long can you run on a completely bad hybrid battery?(triangle on) Will it just it just rely on the ICE and give you bad mileage, but not harm anything?
    2. looking for CHEAP replacement hybrid battery....them doing install. Looked at Greenbean, now leaning Greentec. (because cheaper) Looking for minimum 1 year guarantee.
    Thanks!!!
     
    #1 priusrust, Sep 23, 2023
  2. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 31, 2018
    7,035
    2,798
    0
    Location:
    USA
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius c
    Model:
    Four
    A completely bad hybrid battery will stop you DEAD.......because it is the HV
    battery that STARTS the engine.

    And good luck with "cheap".
    That often ends up being MORE expensive and
    a huge PITA.
     
    #2 sam spade 2, Sep 23, 2023
    priusrust and Brian1954 like this.
  3. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    111,559
    50,803
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    there's no telling how long. could be quite awhile, or tomorrow. it just depends on how bad the modules are.
    greenbean seems to get the best reviews, but it is a very low bar, and you have to be prepared for trouble and downtime if you're one of the unfortunate ones.
    check reviews here and elsewhere before making a decision
     
    #3 bisco, Sep 23, 2023
    priusrust likes this.
  4. Brian1954

    Brian1954 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jan 31, 2021
    1,563
    606
    0
    Location:
    South Central PA, USA
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    III
    Are you planning to only keep your car for 1 year? If so, then this sounds like a plan.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    #4 Brian1954, Sep 23, 2023
    priusrust likes this.
  5. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 31, 2018
    7,035
    2,798
    0
    Location:
    USA
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius c
    Model:
    Four
    But not a GOOD one, maybe.
    Others who have opted to go the cheap route have found that they
    need to exercise the "warranty" several times within a year.
     
    #5 sam spade 2, Sep 24, 2023
    JohnPrius3005 and priusrust like this.
  6. priusrust

    priusrust Member

    Joined:
    Feb 10, 2018
    193
    67
    0
    Location:
    MA
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    So....other option is to have an OEM installed. I've heard they have come down to $2000...I'll call dealer tomorrow. Lot of factors in flux: if I plan to keep car more than 1 year, etc. Facing classic older car issue: dumped enough $ in (recent brake actuator, wheel bearings, radiator, CAT shield) ...where I'm inclined to dump more in, and figure it should be trouble free for a spell. The oil usage on this 2004 -160k miles- is amazing! Never need to add any.....though I give it 'sips'. More reason to keep it. If I do, I'll likely opt for OEM (if 2G)...if not $1000 Greentec route. (warranty is transferable) thanks for input!
     
    #6 priusrust, Sep 24, 2023
    bisco likes this.
  7. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 31, 2018
    7,035
    2,798
    0
    Location:
    USA
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius c
    Model:
    Four
    Well that's not necessarily a good sign either.
    Have you checked your coolant level lately ??
    A head gasket leak might be letting WATER into the crankcase.
     
    #7 sam spade 2, Sep 24, 2023
  8. Brian1954

    Brian1954 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jan 31, 2021
    1,563
    606
    0
    Location:
    South Central PA, USA
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    III
    Yes, some dealerships sell the HV battery for $2000 from their parts department plus a $1350 core charge which you get back when you return the old OEM battery. You will need to install it yourself or pay an independent garage to install it. I am guessing that you will receive a quote from the dealership of about $3500 for the battery and installation. Installation is not very difficult. There are many you tube videos.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    #8 Brian1954, Sep 24, 2023
    priusrust likes this.
  9. priusrust

    priusrust Member

    Joined:
    Feb 10, 2018
    193
    67
    0
    Location:
    MA
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Sorry, maybe I was unclear. Meant to say never need to add oil......good thing
     
    #9 priusrust, Sep 25, 2023
  10. priusrust

    priusrust Member

    Joined:
    Feb 10, 2018
    193
    67
    0
    Location:
    MA
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Good estimate. Called dealer: $1,950- for battery + $1100 or so for labor to install. They will not sell battery w/o install. Even if I could buy OEM battery w/o install, I'm not in a position to install myself. So.....leaning Greentecauto. $995 for battery inc/ install. 1 yr warranty
     
    #10 priusrust, Sep 25, 2023
  11. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 31, 2018
    7,035
    2,798
    0
    Location:
    USA
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius c
    Model:
    Four
    No you were absolutely clear.
    Maybe I wasn't.

    Maybe the level of oil on your dipstick never gets to the LOW mark because
    your lost oil is being replaced by coolant leaking into the crankcase through
    a leak in the head gasket.

    Clear now ??
     
    #11 sam spade 2, Sep 25, 2023
  12. priusrust

    priusrust Member

    Joined:
    Feb 10, 2018
    193
    67
    0
    Location:
    MA
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    crystal***(y)
    ok, so that is not the case. Coolant not being mysteriously depleted, and oil not milky color. Oil level does slightly dip between oil changes, but very slightly....pretty amazing for a 2004....esp when I hear of excessive oil usage common problem.
     
    #12 priusrust, Sep 25, 2023
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)