Comments on: New Gen 1 Prius Battery http://thestearns.net/2010/07/new-gen-1-prius-battery/ unexpected perspectives Thu, 16 Sep 2010 14:52:43 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Kenn http://thestearns.net/2010/07/new-gen-1-prius-battery/comment-page-1/#comment-136 Kenn Tue, 27 Jul 2010 00:22:45 +0000 http://thestearns.net/?p=1836#comment-136 Our 2002 Prius was throwing triangle of death errors within the first year of ownership so it is possible we got a bad hybrid battery. We too are sold on the car, but i'm not a fan of the Gen 2 hatchback styling with large blind spots and a squirrelly view out the rear (which must be why it needs a backup camera). Our 2002 Prius was throwing triangle of death errors within the first year of ownership so it is possible we got a bad hybrid battery. We too are sold on the car, but i’m not a fan of the Gen 2 hatchback styling with large blind spots and a squirrelly view out the rear (which must be why it needs a backup camera).

]]> By: Patrick Elcan http://thestearns.net/2010/07/new-gen-1-prius-battery/comment-page-1/#comment-134 Patrick Elcan Mon, 26 Jul 2010 14:45:05 +0000 http://thestearns.net/?p=1836#comment-134 Super explanation. I am not there yet on my 2002 Prius, 53,000 miles and 4 months left on the warranty, but I am looking to the future. As most of us, I hate going to the dealership for anything other than warranty work so this is a viable alternative. Also, for info, I am sold on the Prius and also have a 2010 model. Super explanation. I am not there yet on my 2002 Prius, 53,000 miles and 4 months left on the warranty, but I am looking to the future. As most of us, I hate going to the dealership for anything other than warranty work so this is a viable alternative. Also, for info, I am sold on the Prius and also have a 2010 model.

]]> By: Jeff Banet http://thestearns.net/2010/07/new-gen-1-prius-battery/comment-page-1/#comment-133 Jeff Banet Sat, 24 Jul 2010 00:44:16 +0000 http://thestearns.net/?p=1836#comment-133 Those are some crazy symptoms! That sounds like a great solution and value. Hope it lasts another 7+ years for you! Those are some crazy symptoms! That sounds like a great solution and value.

Hope it lasts another 7+ years for you!

]]> By: Kenn http://thestearns.net/2010/07/new-gen-1-prius-battery/comment-page-1/#comment-132 Kenn Fri, 23 Jul 2010 19:47:36 +0000 http://thestearns.net/?p=1836#comment-132 We knew it was time because periodically the upper notification area of the Prius dashboard lit up almost all the icons including the "triangle of death." The following symptoms helped us narrow it to a battery issue: 1) car became lethargic on hot days in stop & go traffic, 2) car would run normally after a rest, 3) energy monitor showed battery charging all the time, 4) significant reduction in MPG, and 5) Toyota dealer diagnostics indicated hybrid battery had issues. Lowest cost is to ship old battery to <a href="http://www.re-involt.com" rel="nofollow">Re-Involt</a> and they will ship back a re-manufactured battery. For a core fee they'll ship re-manufactured battery first. Current list price on the Gen 1 re-manufactured battery at Re-Involt is $1400+. Two-day shipping from North Carolina to Austin was $90 each way. Installation takes about four hours - we paid about $500. Lowest quote we got from a Toyota dealer was $4,500+. Note that Re-Involt will soon offer a Lithium replacement battery for 2001-2010 Prius models. And they have plug-in conversions, but sadly not for the Gen 1 Prius. It's also worth noting the Prius is widely misunderstood. Most repair facilities are afraid or wary of the vehicle. Take care in selecting an independent shop to work on a Prius. We knew it was time because periodically the upper notification area of the Prius dashboard lit up almost all the icons including the “triangle of death.” The following symptoms helped us narrow it to a battery issue: 1) car became lethargic on hot days in stop & go traffic, 2) car would run normally after a rest, 3) energy monitor showed battery charging all the time, 4) significant reduction in MPG, and 5) Toyota dealer diagnostics indicated hybrid battery had issues.

Lowest cost is to ship old battery to Re-Involt and they will ship back a re-manufactured battery. For a core fee they’ll ship re-manufactured battery first. Current list price on the Gen 1 re-manufactured battery at Re-Involt is $1400+. Two-day shipping from North Carolina to Austin was $90 each way. Installation takes about four hours – we paid about $500. Lowest quote we got from a Toyota dealer was $4,500+.

Note that Re-Involt will soon offer a Lithium replacement battery for 2001-2010 Prius models. And they have plug-in conversions, but sadly not for the Gen 1 Prius.

It’s also worth noting the Prius is widely misunderstood. Most repair facilities are afraid or wary of the vehicle. Take care in selecting an independent shop to work on a Prius.

]]> By: Jeff Banet http://thestearns.net/2010/07/new-gen-1-prius-battery/comment-page-1/#comment-131 Jeff Banet Fri, 23 Jul 2010 14:12:12 +0000 http://thestearns.net/?p=1836#comment-131 Good stuff! More details please, how did you know it was time? How long was the total down time? Did they do an exchange on your old battery pack or did they refurbish your existing one? Do you mind sharing the total cost? Good stuff! More details please, how did you know it was time? How long was the total down time? Did they do an exchange on your old battery pack or did they refurbish your existing one? Do you mind sharing the total cost?

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