If you're starting to discover that scary crimson triangle on the splash, it might be time for you to look from a 2010 toyota prius hybrid battery cell and find out in case one's finally given up the cat. It's a bit of a transitional phase with regard to Prius owners. You're driving along, experiencing your 50 miles per gallon, plus suddenly the car feels sluggish, the particular fan within the back seat starts screaming, and the screen looks like the Christmas tree. It's frustrating, but it doesn't necessarily mean your car is headed for the discard heap.
The 2010 Prius has been the start of third generation, and while these types of cars are absolute tanks, the batteries don't last forever. Most of the time, the entire package hasn't actually failed; it's usually just one or 2 specific cells that have dropped in voltage enough to trip the personal computer.
What is a 2010 toyota prius hybrid battery cell anyway?
When people talk about the "battery, " they often imply the big metallic case sitting under the luggage floor within the trunk. But inside that case, it's not just 1 giant battery. It's actually a collection of 28 personal modules. In the world of DO-IT-YOURSELF repair, most individuals call these quests "cells, " although technically each component contains six smaller 1. 2-volt cells sealed inside.
For the 2010 model, they are Nickel-Metal Hydride (NiMH) modules. They're shaped sort associated with like a heavy pancake or the small book. They're all wired together in a series, which means the vehicle is tugging an enormous amount associated with voltage—usually around 200V+—by adding up the ability from all twenty-eight of them. In the event that just one 2010 toyota prius hybrid battery cell decides to prevent holding the charge, the whole chain breaks, and the car's ECU (the brain) freaks out.
How do you know which cell is the reason?
You can't really tell which usually cell is poor simply by looking at it. They don't usually leak or explode; they just get "tired. " To figure away which one will be dragging the team down, you're going to need some tools.
Most individuals use a Bluetooth OBD2 scanner and a good app like Dr. Prius. It's truthfully a lifesaver. A person in wired mode, and this shows you the particular voltages of all the blocks. The "block" is really a set of cells. In case you see Block four sitting at 14. 2 volts whilst all the other people are at 16. 5 volts, you've found your trouble region.
Once you get the particular battery pack out of the car and open the casing (which is really a project in itself), you can make use of a multimeter to test each specific 2010 toyota prius hybrid battery cell . You're looking regarding the one that's lower than the rest. But here's the kicker: sometimes a cell appears fine when it's just sitting right now there, but as soon as you place a load on it—like hooking up to a headlamp bulb—the voltage falls like a rock. That's the real test.
The DIY struggle: Replacing just one cell
The particular temptation in order to buy one single 2010 toyota prius hybrid battery cell off eBay regarding 30 bucks is huge. I get it. Spending $1, five hundred to $2, 500 on a brand-new pack for a car that's more than a decade aged feels like a gut punch. Replacing one cell is definitely the "budget" way to go, but it comes with a warning.
It's the bit like changing one bad apple in a basket. When the others are also getting older, you might fix the car today, drive it with regard to three weeks, and then another cell fails. This is definitely what people within the Prius community call "Whack-a-Mole. " You'll get actually fast at taking battery out associated with the trunk, but you'll buy really tired of doing it.
If you do go the particular DIY route, you have to create sure the "new" cell you purchased is balanced with your old ones. You can't just throw a high-voltage cell into the pack of low-voltage ones. The car's computer likes persistence. If the space between the strongest and weakest cell is simply too wide, it'll throw a code again immediately.
Safety first (seriously)
I can't talk about opening upward a hybrid battery without mentioning it can literally need to. This isn't like changing the AA batteries in your own remote. The red cables in your Prius carry enough juice to stop your own heart.
Before you also touch a bolt on that battery cover, you possess to pull the orange safety put. And even then, you have to wait. You will find capacitors in there that will hold a charge for a while. Always use insulated tools and put on high-voltage rubber hand protection if you're relocating a 2010 toyota prius hybrid battery cell about. If you aren't confident with electrical function, this is actually the part where you should possibly call an expert.
The "While You're In There" jobs
If you decide to crack open the battery to swap the cell, there are some points you should definitely do to create sure your hard work actually lasts.
First, glance at the copper bus pubs. These are the particular little metal dividers that connect the particular cells together. Over time, they get this gross green corrosion in it. This produces resistance, which produces heat, which kills batteries. Clean all of them up with some white vinegar plus a wire brush until they're shiny again. It makes a world of difference.
Minute, check the chilling fan. The 2010 Prius is notorious to get dust plus dog hair trapped in the battery lover intake (it's generally located by the particular back passenger seat). If the enthusiast is clogged, the battery gets hot. Heat is the number 1 killer of a 2010 toyota prius hybrid battery cell . Giving that fan a good washing is the simplest way to extend the particular life of the restoration.
Could it be worthy of buying a restored pack?
If the idea of tests 28 individual modules makes your mind spin, you might look into refurbished packs. These are basically batteries where the company has performed the work for you personally. They take old packs, test every single 2010 toyota prius hybrid battery cell , swap out the bad ones, plus balance everything.
It's a middle-ground option. It's less expensive than a new one from Toyota but more reliable than just replacing one cell your self in your driveway. Many of these have a warranty, which gives you a bit of peace of brain. Just keep in mind that the "refurbished" battery will be still made from outdated parts. It's a roll from the dice, but for the 2010 model, attempting to makes the almost all financial sense.
Looking at the long game
At the end associated with the day, the particular 2010 Prius is a fantastic car that can easily go three hundred, 000 miles when you take care of it. The battery is just another maintenance item, type of like the timing belt on other cars—it's only a really expensive, weighty maintenance item.
Whether you determine to replace the single 2010 toyota prius hybrid battery cell or spring for a totally new lithium-ion upgrade (which is a thing now! ), obtaining the battery healthy again will make the car feel brand new. You'll discover the engine doesn't kick on as often, the acceleration is usually smoother, and of course, those MPG numbers will rise back up exactly where they belong.
It's a project, for sure. But once you see through the particular intimidation factor associated with the high volt quality as well as the heavy raising, it's actually a pretty logical system. These cars were built to end up being modular, and being able to fix them at the cell level is one of the reasons they stay on the road regarding such a long time. Just take your time, keep things clean, and perhaps watch a few dozen YouTube movies before you start turning wrenches. Your Prius (and your wallet) may thank you.