How often does a battery in a Prius need to be replaced?

I looked into this recently and to summarize here is what I found:

• It should be good for 10 years or so, easily. You can look up Toyota’s Web pages for details on this subject.
• Some say 140,000 miles. Some say 150,000. I say drive until you need the replacement.
• When it fails, Toyota dealers replace all of the battery, that is foolish, period! In addition, it’s very costly, $3,000 or $4,000. That sucks
• If it fails, you can usually run the car, but the economy is gone and you’ll probably have warning lights to ignore. Been there, done that! If there were another, different, engine fault then you wouldn’t know.
• It’s not the whole battery that fails, it’s just one or maybe two cells. That is where we come in. We only replace what you need to restore the battery to its original working condition. In addition, we build our own batteries for even greater savings.
• 
  

There are lots of independent repairers out there that can find that cell and replace it for a fraction of the cost of a full battery. Please pick one that holds a repair license and has a reputable reputation. Paul is the best in the business if you reside in Florida.

Question….Can I fix it myself? – It is possible to fix it yourself, but you’d need a cell, usually an entire battery from a scrapyard is the only way to get this. And you’d have to be very good at mending things, or very, very, lucky. On top of that you will need a laptop with the right cable to read the computer system of your Prius to get the right diagnosis codes.

Question…What if it is not the battery? Sometimes it’s not the cells, but the control circuitry that goes with it. Big problem. At this point Paul will tell you how to fix the problem at the cheapest cost possible

Conclusion….if you own a Prius and you have warning lights the best start is to have Paul give you a full diagnosis report on your car. This cost nothing. In most cases it it most likely a bad cell that requires replacing. This is a 4-5 hour job that can take place right at your home. No need to bring the car to us. We have a fully mobile system that will do the repairs right at your location. Please call us at (727) 565-5685.

Licensed vs. Unlicensed – Choosing A Hybrid Mechanic For Your Toyota Prius

If your Toyota Prius or Camry hybrid system needs service, you want confidence in your mechanic. When you take you car in for repairs, you want assurance the technician doing the work not only knows what he’s doing but has proper training to deal with unexpected problems. YOU WANT A LICENSED & INSURED TECHNICIAN! PERIOD! No Exceptions!

Ideally, you need a licensed & insured mechanic, someone who has the education and hands-on experience, and , more important, a certification to fulfill such work. We understand, the cost may be slightly higher but think of this, do you really want an unlicensed mechanic from Craigslist or an unlicensed company doing the work on your car? And then some say “we come to you”…Are they insured? If they get hurt on your property will your insurance policy cover them and then skyrocket your rates.

So, Again…Is A License And Insurance Really Necessary?

When you hire an auto mechanic, it pays to be meticulous in selecting the best available professional. Affordable Hybrid Repair Of Tampa Bay is a fully licensed Motor Vehicle repair shop. Doing a quick search online we have found several hybrid battery repair “so-called” specialists operating unlicensed. Most are found on Craigslist and other online websites. As a hybrid owner you must use caution. You may receive the response, ” I can do the job for less“, well, that’s true, but this can later cost you thousands of hard earned bucks and even higher rates on your insurance policy .

How To Find A Licensed Auto Mechanic

It’s possible to find independent shops in your area that are licensed to repair cars. Here, we need to know the reputation the business has and if their license is actually current. Some unscrupulous companies will apply for a license their first year of operation but never renew it or hire mechanics with little to no formal training and hide them behind a valid business license. In this it is best by checking out local review sites to find out which repair shops are licensed, honest, and which aren’t above standard.

The Risks Of Bad Repairs

If the work you’re getting done is happening in someone’s home garage or is half what a dealership would charge, or they claim they come to you without first displaying a license permit there’s a good chance you are you dealing with an unlicensed mechanic. Also, here is another con. If major damage has been done to your hybrid battery or electrical system, can it be traced back to the work performed by an unlicensed tech? The recourse may be timely and expensive going through the court system to regain losses. You might be able to have it reinstated after a court proceeding, but this is a time-consuming and expensive process.

Safety is also an issue with poor workmanship. Mechanics who don’t have proper training cut corners, and that puts you at risk on the road. An improperly installed hybrid battery on a Prius or Camry can result in thousands of dollars in damages.

Our Conclusion:

The licensed professional is worth his weight in oil, and in most states multiple licenses are required to run a shop. If you’re hiring a mechanic to do any work on your car, always make sure he or she has a current certification and experience to back up the price. If you live in the Tampa Bay area of Florida be assured that you are getting the finest work here at Affordable Hybrid Battery Repair of Tampa Bay.

HID Headlight Installation For Toyota Prius Gen 1-3

Headlight Installation For Toyota Prius Gen 1-3

Toyota Prius HID bulbs Headlight Installation – There’s nothing the media loves more than a nice juicy auto problem. Imagine that your Prius headlights fail, and replacing them cost you THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS !!! This is very common to hear.

Well, that’s the premise of a late June story in AdAge, which discussed a potential problem with the optional high-intensity discharge (HID) headlights fitted to the second-generation Toyota Prius in model years 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008. Are you aware of this Prius issue?

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has received hundreds of complaints from Prius owners about HID lamp failures and, according to this bogus story, opened a full blown investigation into the matter.

Watching the statistics of the Prius

The AdAge story cites well over 338 complaints received, although our search of the NHTSA complaints system produced just 117 listings for complaints about the 2005-2008 of the title ….Toyota Prius – categorized under “Exterior Lighting-Headlights”.

The bulk of them, numbering almost 80, were for the 2006 model year. And it’s worth noting that those complaints covered all headlight problems, not just those having to do with the HID lights. So..what should you do if you have headlight problems?

Many of the complaints cite dealer repair costs exceeding $1,000, in some cases as high as $1,800 to replace two entire HID light units and two control modules, which are electronic components that provide power to the lights. We can replace them for just $450.00. That is for 2 headlamps! Really a fraction of the cost!

We’ll wait to see what the NHTSA comes up with, but as the commentor on the AdAge story notes, headlight bulbs are a consumable item for cars–like wiper blades, brake pads, and tires. Which is to say, sometimes they do fail and need to be replaced. My own father-in-law had his Gen 3 lights blow at 85,000 miles where as I, with my Gen 3, never replaced my headlamp bulbs ever and surpassed the 187,000 mile mark.

Whether they are failing at a higher rate than expected will depend on statistical analysis, and the NHTSA wrote to Toyota in May asking for more data.

Price / Sticker shock?

The HID bulbs have a rated life twice as long as standard bulbs, and give three times the light while using about half the power. But they’re also much more expensive: the list price for one bulb is $150, against $12 to $15 for a standard headlight bulb. Ouchhh!

We suspect the high cost of a new HID bulb may come as a shock to Prius owners, making headlight installation them more likely to suspect a defect. Either way, we can replace these at a much cheaper price.

It may be, that unscrupulous dealers are exacerbating the high cost of the bulbs. They may be imposing exorbitant labor charges for unnecessary work, like removing the Prius front bumper shield to swap out a dead bulb, or even replacing entire HID units at $330 apiece. Replacing a single Prius headlight bulb, according to the service manual, takes less than 15 minutes.

It may also be that the problem lies not with the lights themselves, but with a $250 control module and/or associated wiring.

Meanwhile, perhaps inevitably, a lawsuit has been filed in Los Angeles on behalf of a Toyota Prius owner in Putnam County, New York. The firm of Girard Gibbs is seeking class-action status for their suit, calling the bulb failures “a dangerous but undisclosed safety defect.”

This reminds us somewhat of the supposed Prius “sudden acceleration” issue, in which a handful of owners claimed that their hybrids experienced complete brake failure while accelerating wildly out of control.

What should YOU do?

 If you have a Prius with HID headlights, and one of your bulbs fails, it may be worth trying to repair it yourself. But good luck, you will need some specialty tools to remove the rear of the headlamp assembly to access the bulb! I will also add that you may need to get some help, most likely from a dealer, to finish the project! Dealers can charge you $275 to $375 (per bulb).

Do yourself a favor, call Paul and ask him for an estimate. You will thank us later.

Cheapest Prices on Toyota Prius and Camry Hybrid Battery and Coolant Pumps!

Are you looking for the cheapest prices on Hybrid Batteries in Florida and need help? At Affordable Hybrid Batteries of Tampa Bay we offer the lowest prices on hybrid batteries for Toyota Prius & Toyota Camry. We also offer the lowest and cheapest prices on your inverter coolant pump. Not only do we offer the best price on hybrid batteries and coolant pumps but we install them at your home! We offer this service at no extra charge. We have excellent references as well as highest recommendations and warranties than any other other company! We give you the best the best service!!! Call Paul now at 7275655685.

A

Amelia Island

Anna Maria Island

Apalachicola

Apopka

Arcadia

Atlantic Beach

Aventura 

B

Bartow

Big Pine Key

Boca Grande

Boca Raton

Bonita Springs

Boynton Beach

Bradenton

Bradenton Beach

Brooksville

Bunnell

C

Cabbage Key

Caladesi Island State Park

Cape Canaveral

Cape Coral

Cape San Blas

Captiva Island

Carrabelle

Cayo Costa

Cedar Key

Celebration

Charlotte Harbor

Chokoloskee

Clearwater

Clearwater Beach

Clermont

Clewiston

Cocoa

Cocoa Beach

Coconut Grove

Coral Gables

Cortez

Cross Creek

Crystal River

D

Dade City

Dania Beach

Daytona Beach

DeFuniak Springs

DeLand

Deerfield Beach

Delray Beach

Destin

Dunedin

Dunnellon

E

Eatonville

Egmont Key

Englewood

Estero

Everglades City

F

Fellsmere

Fernandina Beach

Flagler Beach

Florida Keys

Fort Lauderdale

Fort Myers

Fort Myers Beach

Fort Pierce

Fort Walton Beach

G

Gainesville

Grayton Beach

Green Cove Springs

Gulf Breeze

H

Havana

High Springs

Hobe Sound

Hollywood

Homestead

Homosassa

Honeymoon Island

Hutchinson Island

I

Indian Rocks Beach

Indian Shores

Inverness

Islamorada

J

Jacksonville

Jacksonville Beach

Jensen Beach

Jupiter

K

Key Biscayne

Key Largo

Key West

Kissimmee

L

LaBelle

Lake Buena Vista

Lake City

Lake Placid

Lake Wales

Lake Worth

Lakeland

Lauderdale-By-The-Sea

Lehigh Acres

Lido Key

Live Oak

Longboat Key

M

Madeira Beach

Madison

Marathon

Marco Island

Marianna

Melbourne

Merritt Island

Mexico Beach

Miami

Miami Beach

Micanopy

Milton

Miramar Beach

Monticello

Moore Haven

Mount Dora

N

Naples

Navarre

New Port Richey

New Smyrna Beach

Nokomis

O

Ocala

Okeechobee

Oldsmar

Orange Park

Orlando

Ormond Beach

Oviedo

P

Palatka

Palm Bay

Palm Beach

Palm Beach Gardens

Palm Coast

Palm Harbor

Panama City

Panama City Beach

Pensacola

Pensacola Beach

Perdido Key

Perry

Pine Island

Plant City

Pompano Beach

Ponce Inlet

Ponte Vedra Beach

Port Charlotte

Port St. Joe

Port St. Lucie

Punta Gorda

Q

Quincy

R

Rosemary Beach

S

Safety Harbor

Sandestin

Sanford

Sanibel Island

Santa Rosa Beach

Sarasota

Seagrove

Seaside

Sebastian

Sebring

Siesta Key

Singer Island

South Beach

South Walton

St. Augustine

St. Cloud

St. George Island

St. Pete Beach

St. Petersburg

Steinhatchee

Stuart

Sunny Isles Beach

Surfside

Suwannee

T

Tallahassee

Tampa

Tarpon Springs

Tavares

Titusville

Treasure Island

U

Umatilla

V

Venice

Vero Beach

W

Wakulla Springs

Weeki Wachee

West Palm Beach

Weston

White Springs

Wildwood

Winter Garden

Winter Haven

Winter Park

Y

Ybor City

Z

Zephyrhills

Is My Prius Inverter Coolant Pump Dying?  If So, What Do I Do Next?

All hybrids have “inverters”, or, in other terms, they have assemblies that translate high voltage direct current (DC) from the battery into alternating current (AC) which is then used for the motor/generator(s). The chopping and reconstituting of current creates high heat, which needs to be dissipated for the pump components to last. The Toyota “hybrid synergy drive” style hybrids are considered heavy duty aside from other makes and models and require water-cooled inverters. That is why they are located under the hood, close to the radiator.

On the water-cooled varieties, the “inverter water pump” circulates the coolant from the inverter to the radiator whenever the car is on. Circulation is confirmed by removing the cap on the inverter coolant reservoir and checking for turbulence (see video below). If turbulence is missing, one of the following is true:

1.) The inverter water pump has failed.

2.) The pump circuit is open and shows no power.

3.) The cooling system is blocked.

4.) The cooling system has an air pocket.

Regardless of the reason, the lack of circulation will cause the inverter to overheat, setting a trouble code. On the second generation Prius (model year 2004-2009) that code is P0A93, information subcode 346: “Inverter Cooling System Performance.” Diagnosis commonly leads to a seized water pump, a problem we’ve seen multiple times on Prius as young as 55,000 miles.

Toyota has updated the design of the replacement pump (part number G9020-47031) to solve the problem. You can tell the updated design from the original by the color of the mounting base (black is original, silver is updated) though late models with the updated design (silver base) have also experienced failures.

If you are throwing these codes and require technical help and an inverter pump replacement we service the entire state of Florida and parts of southern parts of Georgia.  Give us a call for an appointment as soon as you suspect trouble.  727-565-5685

Is My Toyota Prius/ Camry Hybrid Battery Dying?  If So - What Are My Options?

Assuming you’ve already decided to get your Hybrid battery looked at, there are generally 5 different recommendations that most service providers will make for a hybrid battery replacement. Here is a look at each,

1. A Conditioned Hybrid Battery: These typically range from $1,200-$1,800, returning the vehicle’s battery performance to over 90% of the original efficacy. 

2. Complete Hybrid Battery Replacement with New Battery: Typically ranges from $3,000-$8,000, depending on the model, with the drawback being extremely expensive and the negative impact this has on the environment.

3. Complete Hybrid Battery Replacement with A Used Battery: This is the process of taking a “used” battery out of another Hybrid vehicle and swapping it out with your existing unit. Pricing for such a service can be in the $1,500-$3,500 range but is incredibly risky without doing a performance test on the “used” battery.

4. Rebuilt Hybrid Battery: Generally costs $1,500-$5,000, depending on the vehicle model and other factors.  Keep in mind that this does not include your installation costs.

5.  Battery Tested and New Cells Installed : THE BEST METHOD!  Have your battery rebuilt with new  Nimh HV Battery Cells.  In most cases you may need 1 or 2 replaced and and Hybrid Battery Repair of Tamap Bay will come right to your home and do the complete job for $499.00 plus $50 to clean the Hybrid Battery fan.   Go ahead and give us a call for a diagnosis on the hybrid system.  727-565-5685

Is My Toyota Prius or Civic Hybrid Battery Dying?

Back in 2005 I purchased a brand new Gen II Prius. After 11 good years of driving with no major problems I still always wondered...How long does a hybrid battery last and what warning signs will I see when it is close to complete failure?

After doing some research I found out a few things that you need to be looking for.

5 Warning Signs Your Hybrid Battery Needs Replacing or Rebuilding

1. Lower MPG

If you are a MPG watcher like me, this should stand out immediately!  Now there are several factors which can adversely affect your MPG. Some of these include tire pressure, fluctuations in weather ,  and more so make sure you take those factors into consideration as well.

2. State of Charge (SOC)

This is not an easy sign to see in plain sight, but if you watch this screen on your MFD and you find large fluctuations in your SOC, this is a definite sign that either your hybrid battery or the charging system is having issues, but most likely the battery. If you watch your SOC on your multi-function display and find large swings in your charge rates, this is an obvious sign. If it gets to purple, which unless you are using EV mode it really shouldn’t, then a few minutes later you find it in the green. This should be something to keep an eye on.

3. Your ICE (internal combustion engine) is running more than the usual

This, again is something that is hard to pinpoint. The ICE can at times run erratically, it may even stop at strange times or run much longer at others. From my own experience this is not normal. The more often it occurs, this can be pointing to a problem with your hybrid battery.

4. Decrease In MPG, during acceleration.

If you watch your MFD during moderate acceleration, it should never really go below 10MPG.  Any lower than that identifies an upcoming hybrid battery failure.

5. High mileage

This should be very easy to see.  Back when Toyota sold the Prius models, they said the battery should last the life of the vehicle. If you are at or near 200K mi, look at the rest of the signs above and really think and possibly start planning ahead for your battery’s inevitable demise!

Conclusion:

If you find your Toyota Prius, Civic, or Camry showing any of these symptoms above, start planning ahead.  If you live in the state of Florida or in the Tampa Bay area and would like to get a diagnosis on your hybrid battery call Paul at 727-565-5685.  You can visit our website also.  Call now for our $499.00 Hybrid specials.

2005 Toyota Prius Dashboard Warning Lights - Hybrid Battery Dead!

I recently had a strong suspicion that my 2005 Prius main hybrid battery was on its way out.  I would notice a fast drain to my battery in the morning and then a spike at the next stop.  This went on for about a week and then it hit.  The lights any Prius owner hates to see.  Yes, the red triangle of death as mechanics call it.  In my mind I'm quickly seeing dollars flying away out of my checking account.  I've heard it costs around $3,000.00 to have a dealer replace a hybrid main battery. And that is on the low end of the cost estimates.

Well,  I drove home and decided to either park the car and have a beer or drive the car into the pond near my home.  Since it was my only car, a car I really love, I decided to look into it further.  After searching Google for some deals on hybrid batteries in the Tampa Bay area of Florida. And after checking Craigslist, Ebay, and several other online resources for the best prices on hybrid batteries I was still left with the question.  OK, now that I'm planning on buying a new battery, yes, still hundreds of dollars, who will now put it in?  I've never even seen my hybrid battery.  My first thought was,  What happens if I electrocute myself?  Now, not only do I have a dead car but I'm toast too!

I looked further and found there are some local mechanics that will come out and replace or rebuild Prius hybrid batteries right at your home.  I found one young man that was located about a half an hour from me in New Port Richey Florida.  He advertised a $499.00 special.  I was very happy to know this job would not break the bank, and my back of course! 

Paul said he would be at my home at 8:00 AM sharp the next day.  He was right on time.  Since I wanted to see the way the battery was connected and the hybrid componenets I stayed with Paul for 4 hours watching him turn every bolt and do his thing.  It really was an education.  Paul did an excellent job and reassembled my car just as it was.  I was very happy with his work.  He has a business in the Tampa Bay area but told me he services all of Florida and parts of Georgia.  His website is Affordable Hybrid Battery Repair of Tampa Bay. 

To make a long story short, I was looking for the best, lowest, cheapest prices on hybrid battery repair and replacements and Paul offered the best prices in all of Florida.  I personally recommend Paul to everyone and if you own a Toyota Prius or Camry and need a main hybrid battery look no further!  Check this guy out first!  727-565-5685.

What Should You Pay For Your New Hybrid Battery?

Below is a list of MSRP battery cost details for the various hybrid Toyota models offered since 2001.

2001-2003 Toyota Prius (1st generation) - $3,649

2004-2009 Toyota Prius (2nd generation) - $3,939

2010-2011 Toyota Prius (3rd generation) - $4.080

2012-2015 Toyota Prius Liftback - $3,939

2012-2016 Toyota Prius V - $3,939

2012-2016 Toyota Prius C - $3,807

2007-2011 Toyota Camry Hybrid - $4,892

2012-2015 Toyota Camry Hybrid - $4,892

2013-2015 Toyota Avalon Hybrid - $4,892

2006-2010 Toyota Highlander Hybrid - $6,198

2011-2015 Toyota Highlander Hybrid - $6,353

Here at Hybrid Battery Repair of Tampa Bay we can get you up and running for just $499.00. 

If you own a Toyota Prius or Camry and need your hybrid battery replaced we offer the best price on hybrid battery repairs and rebuilds.  Call us at 727-565-5685.  Check out our other services and price guides.