Removal of Orange Locking Caps on Hybrid Battery Case

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by Mendel Leisk, Nov 30, 2018.

  1. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Just found this, might be of interest:

    upload_2018-11-30_14-46-58.png

    There are a couple of round caps, orange-coloured, on the hybrid battery case, that need to be removed before you can remove the cover. I was thinking they were to show if the battery's been tampered with, but considering you remove them using the service plug, it's more likely they're for safety.
     
    #1 Mendel Leisk, Nov 30, 2018
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  2. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    They do indicate tampering if you don’t know about the orange safety plug trick for removal ;).

    If you look at where the locks are, they are not structural support.

    Good design by Toyota to catch a fast working shade tree mechanic pulling a fast one on them if they don’t know about the orange safety plug (y).
     
    #2 Raytheeagle, Dec 1, 2018
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  3. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    But if you use the safety plug to remove the caps, there's no telltale damage?

    I'm just out of warranty (by months), but maybe still in the "good will" zone...
     
    #3 Mendel Leisk, Dec 1, 2018
  4. TMR-JWAP

    TMR-JWAP Senior Member

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    That is correct. Insert the tool, turn counterclockwise and the internal portion loosens like a screw. Then the entire assembly just comes right off. Installation is exactly opposite.

    And yes, the first couple times I removed them, it was done via mechanical agitation. Then I noticed the little nipple on the plug handle.

    Many batteries also have a lightweight green tape bridging the cover sections. It will tear during disassembly, but I've seen many that were torn, yet were on obviously virgin OEM batteries.
     
    #4 TMR-JWAP, Dec 1, 2018
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