2002 Toyota Prius Update After 1 Year of Ownership (threw p3006 code hybrid battery problem)

[@tristanhenry9345]

Put myself in your shoes and I actually ran to a scrap yard and got a battery for 350 bucks and the car itself for 1300, a true dream vehicle :)

[@thecollegepicker]

That's so awesome. Keeps a car out of the trash! So much carbon offset for your purchase 😍🙌

[@sstteevveesstteeiinn]

I own a 2002 Prius, I am the original owner and I love my car, in 2020 I only have about 120,000 and it still drive beautifully. yes the auxiliary battery needs to be change quite a bit, but I love my Prius. My battery was recalled about a year after I bought it and I got a new battery at that time.

[@thecollegepicker]

That's awesome that you still have it. Makes me smile. The person that I bought it from also said they had to recall him battery replaced, is that the hybrid battery or the aux battery? And did they give you proof of it because it wasn't on the Toyota history when she handed me that. I just got a new rebuilt hybrid battery installed last year and it's been going good ever since 🥰

[@josegallardo5052]

I like it to. I got the triangle of death. Today i was going 70 on the freeway it kiked and then the triangle came on so then i couldent accelerate

[@michael47lamb]

Hi again. I did see your new video! Awesome! Thanks for the shout out too. Not sure what I will do with it but it is always nice to be recognized anyway. The web is a cool place at times. Of course I am here to help anyone with similar Prius issues too. I also work on old Honda Civic hybrids since I own two 03's (along with two Prius 02 and 03.) They are all endless sources of tinkering fun! So once you get into taking apart the pack we can really get into the options of what procedures to use to get your much Loved Prius back in working order! It sure would have been nice if Toyota made this easier to do though! LoL Way too many bolts, covers and etc in the way of the real fun stuff. BTW buy yourself a decent pair of mechanics gloves, you will be needing them. Lots of sharp edges in the pack looking to cut up unsuspecting hands. You will also be needing a small wire brush and a small bottle of vinegar (I like apple cider since it smells nicer, you can also drink it!) Common socket sizes used in a Prius pack are 8mm, 10mm, 12mm. You will also want a good torque wrench when reinstalling the terminal nuts. One that measures in inch pounds is best. But a foot pound one is ok as long as you can set it for about 3 or 4 ft lbs. A small tube of something like No Ox electrical paste is going to be really handy too. It will help reduce corrosion build up later. But I am getting a head a bit I think now. You get to work taking apart things already! :-)

[@thecollegepicker]

Thanks for the tips! Yeah havent cracked in yet. Have the gloves and socket stuff. I got the bluetooth veepeak obdii and hooked it up to dr. prius and it looks like two modules are whacked out. I ordered some off ebay and just plan on swapping it and putting it back together. Thats the plan so far.

[@michael47lamb]

@@thecollegepicker Not a bad plan, but you could run into imbalancing issues quickly by simply throwing in modules you just got. You really need to get ALL the modules to the same State of Charge before assembling everything. The easiest way I know of to do that is to charge up each module individually and then assemble the pack. I use two ImaxB6 chargers for this (two so I can work a lot faster.) Each module could take up to 60 minutes to get to a full charge, depending on what the SoC is when you are starting. I also like to Load Test each and every module to make sure it is working correctly. Also you will be buying used modules since new ones are not available anywhere. There is nothing wrong with reconditioned and tested modules though, just make certain that is what you are buying. Sadly there's lots of junk on Ebay. However you can skip all these steps and toss in a couple modules, take your chances, save some time, maybe, if it works out well enough. The computer seems to have a fair amount of tolerance built into it. Modules being off a couple 10ths of a volt doesn't usually bother it much, not that I have found anyway. I think some of this is due to air temps too though. The hotter that is the worse the balancing issues get.

[@ccacace1]

I also have a an 02 prius as I wrote above. What I wanted to ask you is do you know why I can't take the key out of the ignition? I have to disconnect the 12 v battery and then it comes out without any trouble. Thanks!

[@michael47lamb]

@@ccacace1 I have seen this a couple times on old cars: what is happening is the button on the shift selector lever is sticking. Try pressing the button several times when you move it into P. The little switch in the lever gets dirty over the years and sticky. Maybe try squirting a little electrical contact cleaner into the grove around the button to loosen the crud around it. If that doesnt do the trick you will need to find the location of the actual electrical switch and see what is binding it up. You may need to replace this switch.

[@hjo3848]

@@michael47lamb I also have a 2002 Prius hybrid and both check engine lights are on. But the the main battery light is not. The main battery kicks on and off like every other minute. What could that be from? Its got 159361 miles on it. I think the Previous owner said he had did something to the main battery before. But I can't remember when. I owned it for like 4 years. Thanks in advance if you could help me.

[@ThetaMediaGroup]

Great video, and great comments below. Glad to find this. I am the original owner of a 2002 Prius. It has around 180,000 on it. It's in great shape. I've had to baby the main battery for several years and drive efficiently. It doesn't do well on long climbs up highways or mountain roads anymore. So last summer I had the battery redone with replacement cells for the bad ones. My mechanic knows these cars very well. It ran well for a while but the SoC indicator was up and down a lot. So I took it back and he found a couple more cells to replace. Then it ran well for about a month. A couple days ago, SoC was up and down, but running fine, then I got the triangle. I took it to my mechanic and he got code 3006. Then he checked KZbin and found this video! He reset the code and told me to let him know what happens. Today, I was driving and the battery was charging, then got the triangle again. So I'll be taking it back to the mechanic. I also checked out GreenTecAuto. Their 4-year new battery pack for 2k could be the way to go. Mobile install and core return at the same time. FYI, the inverter failed about 9 years ago, literally a few months out of warranty. It was actually on a Toyota alert sheet but it wasn't a recall item. I had a friend who worked at Toyota corporate and he put me in touch with someone who helped me get the inverter replaced for the cost of labor only. So haven't had any problem with the inverter since. Meanwhile, I saw in the comments that Dr. Prius was looking for someone in LA to test his product. I live in Burbank near Disney Studios. So I sent him an e-mail in case that project is still in progress. Hope to get a response from you or Mike Lamb. BTW, it's been almost two years since you posted this. Did you rebuild the battery, or by a GreenTec?

[@someguy872]

A lot of respect for not selling a car that's becoming toast

[@thecollegepicker]

🙏 appreciate it man. It's running good now 👏👏👏

[@jonbliton1065]

FYI, the battery is $2299 (they can give a discount) from Toyota plus there is a $1350 core charge. You have to return the current battery in their box with every bolt and nut installed just like the one they gave you to get the $1350 back. As noted below, you will need a torque wrench with inchpounds and I would also say the factory service manual. If I remember it is about 90 minutes of work to strip the old battery and prep the new one properly. If it was not for that you could easily do the swap right at the dealer in 45 minutes.

[@thecollegepicker]

That's definitely an option as well 👌

[@GlennaVan]

I have had my 2003 Prius since August 1, 2003, purchased new. It has been an outstanding vehicle, without question. When we bought it, we were lucky to find one in the neighboring state and didn't have to be on a waiting list. It had been their "demonstrator" so had fewer than 100 miles on it. The starter battery has been replaced three times which would be comparable, or even less, than a gas-engine only car; of course normal tire wear and replacement. I think my battery pack may need repair or replacing as of today. I got the triangle on the dash (the explanation point over the vehicle silhouette) and drove it the mile to my appointment and back home. Tomorrow, it's a call to the Toyota dealer. Mileage? 232,660. Last year, I inquired about the cost of a replacement battery pack - several thousand dollars less than when I asked ten years ago! Wish me luck that it is an easy fix and not horribly expensive.

[@GlennaVan]

Question: Could water in the trunk cause issues with the battery pack? I messed up and managed to get snow inside my trunk last week (and no way to dry it out).

[@phuckhugh2698]

You can buy an aftermarket remanufactured battery with installation included for about $1000-$1500. Greentecauto sells one for $1500. $2000 for all new cells. and they are all over the US.

[@thecollegepicker]

Yes that is one option. Im going to do the surgery first and see how she goes. Appreciate the tip!

[@hedgehogthesonic3181]

Or you can install it yourself and save quite a bit of money, is not that hard to replace a hybrid battery by yourself.

[@Theophilus1968]

I just traded a motorcycle for a 2002 gen 1 with only 67k mi. for my son to drive (his first car). I’m enjoying it so much I’m thinking about buying a newer gen. for myself. I have to admit I know nothing about hybrids but Toyota has never failed me. 🤞🏻

[@pluggy86]

Great memories! Gutsy little car. Bought mine in 2006 with 100,000 on it. I'm not an environmentalist. I just have a long commute. Sold the car in 2014 with over 287,000 on it. Had no running problem at the time, but catalytic converter was bad, and it couldn't pass inspection in NYS. Sold it to a mechanic in SC, but had to drive it there myself (which was fun). Battery pack failed in 2010 with 206,000 on it. Was able to find one used on in Ebay which my local Toyota dealer installed. $1400. total. Sold the old one for $200. Very satisfied. Bought a 2008 Prius in 2012 which my son now commutes with, 313,000 miles.

[@wsegen]

My 2002 prius just got a new hybrid bat from Toyota. 2 grand out the door. Replaced A/C radiator-compressor, 700. Last year, the water pump thermostat, about 200, and finally brake pads 150. Have this car since 2005. mileage now is 122 K. The blue book value is less than some fashion baby strollers blocking sidewalks. It's good all these problems sort of happened at once. Ready now for another 122K.:) thanks for your video. btw, the color (for the 2002) is toyota's own "moondust blue." just cracks me up!!!

[@thecollegepicker]

Wow that Prius is like new now!! You'll enjoy it for a long time 🙂

[@michael47lamb]

I ran into an air conditioner issue with one of my Gen 1 Prius' . Seems to me this is a common problem with this car so I thought someone here may like to know the fix is really easy. Turns out the problem is rust under the AC clutch plate. This caused the air gap to be a bit too wide for the magnet to hold the plate in after things got hotter. (FYI magnets dont hold well when they get hot) My AC indicator lamp on the dash would start blinking and things would warm up in the car. Not fun at 98F plus! The wife especially hated it since this is her commuter car. The fix is to remove the clutch plate and remove the spacer washer and find a thinner washer or grind down the old washer so it is about 0.010" thick (0.5 mm) (the old air gap as more than 0.025", way too much!) It doesnt need to be perfect. Anything around 0.010 is fine. Then wire wheel off the rust from the clutch parts. Do not paint the clutch surfaces! Leave them bare metal. My AC is blowing ice cubes again! Yeah! I have the other Prius to do as well so I am thinking on a video on this. Pictures being worth a thousand words. lol

[@GlennaVan]

The only time I had an issue with AC in my 2003 Prius (Get 1) was when I added water instead of anti-freeze when I had a small radiator leak. I feel very fortunate - this car, without question, has been the best one we've ever owned. Something we all need to remember is the we need to properly care for our vehicles. Decades ago, I asked our instructor (Powder Puff Mechanics) which was the best car to buy. He said something that absolutely makes sense: Most are good cars, it is the care you give them that determines whether they are good or not; take care of them properly and they will have longer and more care-free lives.

[@michael47lamb]

@@GlennaVan That is not really all that true, some cars are simply poorly designed. No amount of maintenance can keep them going as long as a well-designed car no matter what you do to them. Most all cheap cars are like this. They are cheap for a good reason. Toyotas are generally well-designed, but the more modern ones are much more prone to electrical problems. Even the beloved Prius gets weird problems with the electrical system. Corrosion and failing insulation usually. Also, there is nothing wrong with adding a little water to a radiator. Just be sure you dont add a lot. Water doesnt have as much lubrication as antifreeze, and a lot of water in your system can wear out the water pump sooner.

[@GlennaVan]

@@michael47lamb We disagree about the aftercare. While the best care in the world will not make a bad car a good car, poor care will make a good car a bad car. The two cars I have purchased new have been incredibly good cars; at the same time, the van my husband bought new was not. The difference? I took excellent care of mine, regular oil changes, etc. while he didn't bother to check the oil even once! He got upset when it stopped along the freeway - towed to the shop the van took FIVE quarts of oil! The engine was not destroyed but not for lack of negligence. The instructor's point was that every car must be properly maintained and otherwise cared for properly Sadly, when we buy a used car, we also buy the care or lack of care the previous owner supplied. As for the issue with my heating system in my car, I am going to trust what the shop said. Since draining it, repairing the leak and adding proper antifreeze solved the issue, I am going to trust the shop. As is likely the case with many other people, I was not aware that simple act could affect the AC. I was lucky it was a reputable shop. Sometimes, things are simple unless we make them complicated. While some cars are poorly designed, even the best designed car will not be a long-range good car if it is not properly maintained. That was the whole point, proper care. Though not always true because of what we begin with, properly maintaining our cars will result in a better car the entire time we own it. (As for my Prius, I have only good things to say about it; the same was true of my Mercury Bobcat. However, I have always been diligent about maintenance and I don't abuse it while driving. Both were "Wednesday cars." With 240,000 Plus miles on my Prius, my luck will change but we've never had that many miles on a car before without major problems which usually start around 100K miles with the Bobcat excepted.)

[@deadshot4245]

i used to work at toyota and we would pull out and replace parts for customers as well for research if theres an odd thing happening and they want us to pull and send those parts back to their locations for testing sometimes we even had engineers fly out for things

[@jerrileethornton1291]

Can you add the link for the Prius mats you bought I’m only able to find ones well over $67 plus shipping

[@joey1160]

I love how you had "God Help the Outcast" from the Hunchback of Notre Dame playing as a TAPE in there. I hate how I know it was all of those things.

[@thecollegepicker]

Hahah you have a good ear!

[@tristanhenry9345]

Ok, so I’ve had mine for only a couple months and it got into a wrec, it turns over and is repairable, but I don’t know if it’s worth it (it’s a 02 Prius with a new hybrid battery) she was a nice car but I’m worried new issues will rise, thoughts?

[@veronicaesquer6980]

I have a 2002 Toyota prius hybrid, it turns on perfectly. But after a few minutes it shuts down and the red exclamation and check engine appears. After driving it just passed 25pmh it will lose power stalling. Can someone help me please what it might be.😥

[@DestroyingSanity]

Recently got a 2002 as well this month. The cassette player does the same noise as mine. I got it with 120014 miles. Everything feels smooth and all I had to do is change the Auxiliary battery for now. I am hoping it last a long time. Planning to change all the fluids on the car. I paid 1400 for it plus the 260 for the new aux battery. I will update you in a year as well.

[@thecollegepicker]

Good deal!! Maybe the cassette players just do that? Or maybe something inside needs to be serviced. I'm not quite sure. Unfortunately I already bought another unit 😥 to install. Looking forward to your update. 🙏🙏

[@DestroyingSanity]

@@thecollegepicker I have to ask , how do you turn on your prius. The manual says to turn on and wait for ready to appear. I have yet to see that after blue coolant light disappears

[@frandanco6289]

@@thecollegepicker most cassette players are belt driven and cant last forever.. Besides, who still plays cassettes ??? Answer - people that have them... :)

[@Hunter-pk7ym]

i own exactly the same car, with 260,000 miles running fine, tip: during the summer turn off a/c use windows, will solve all those problems

[@thecollegepicker]

Wow I can only hope it will go to that mileage 😍. Great tip, makes sense with the battery draw from a/c.

[@xeriiphxeriiph2747]

Mine has 200,000 miles runs great

[@NeverImpossibleTX]

Mine has 230k and has this triangle

[@ccacace1]

Did you start the replacement of the hybrid battery? I also got techstream but it is not very user friendly. One suggestion for you, it would be good if you put links to the items you mention in the video. Like techstream, the OBD reader, the mechanic in Tampa, etc. Hopefully you start working on it I am really curious to see how it turns out.

[@thecollegepicker]

I'm back in Florida but haven't started yet. Surgery is scheduled for a few days. My dad's in the hospital and I'm going to bring Andy up to him tomorrow. I will do the links on the video, great idea! 🙏🙏

[@kaylac5358]

The hv battery relay gets corroded. Can clean by unplugging and plugging it back in a few time to knock the stuff off. Will reduce amperage and communication.

[@kaylac5358]

I would also make sure to clean the throttle body and mass air flow sensor anyway.

[@Aunt_Bee4738]

Does the backseat fold down giving you access to the trunk?

[@thecollegepicker]

It does not

[@burningdinosaurs801]

Have a great day!Great Video!

[@ccacace1]

I also have an 02 Prius with only 51k miles which I bought at Copart here in Dallas. It was also one owner and it was wrecked on the front driver side. The fuse box next to the inverter on left side was crushed. I ordered a new one. The 12v battery is toast so when I jump start it it runs for about half a min and both the triangle and car with exclamation point come on and it dies. So I am going to see if I can get a new 12v battery since is has a 3/17 date code and is an original Toyota battery. I am suspect the issue may be with the hybrid battery (of course) but I will let you know what I find out. Good videos!

[@thecollegepicker]

Thanks. Good luck with your build as well. Hopefully it all works out

[@Ritzola1]

Hi, thanks for the update very informative. I have a 2003 1st Gen Prius 150k mileage. The 12v starter battery needs replacing. AAA doesn’t offer that year and I am having difficulty finding one. Any suggestions? Can I buy one and install? or am I better of getting a mechanic to do it? Stay safe. Thanks.

[@thecollegepicker]

We got ours from battery and bulbs store it was about $300

[@Noah-tq7bi]

The Lambo!!!

[@thecollegepicker]

☹️🥀💀

[@geeladuch8793]

What the fix for it not locking in park?

[@nicolasderksen8401]

I have the same car as you images through the 300 9/3 which is leaking battery mine however has 250,200 miles on it and has gotten me everywhere I need to go for about three years I put around 100,000 miles on it and the batteries been replaced once I’m trying to decide if it’s worth it to buy a new battery or just go get a new car either way though I’m not sure if I want to trade this one in or just keep it potential

[@nicolasderksen8401]

Potentially for the future I’m wondering if the previous first generation will become kind of a novelty collectors item worth sentimental value to future generations of previous owners to come

[@yoyobored847]

I have a owned two Priuses that had toast HV batteries. Both times the fans were full of crap. I replaced a cell or two and cleaned the fan. Over 1k miles and no lights

[@thecollegepicker]

That's awesome!!

[@edwardcody4941]

Hey I just bought a 2003 but I'm getting no power. Ok do you think it's the battery or batteries I see where the main big battery is located. Nevermind I see the lil battery now you showed it

[@thecollegepicker]

I'm not quite sure without looking at it Any luck on the Prius?

[@edwardcody4941]

Not yet that lil battery is expensive

[@michael47lamb]

Hi again I was just thinking about your car while I was working on my 02 prius today!. So, how's things going over there anyway? I ran into some issues with the bus bars and BCM (burned off wire inside). Lucky I found a local guy who has parts to sell. Also the catalytic convertor holes were being a pain the last few days. I finally found some really high temp putty to patch the tiny holes (JB Weld extreme heat). It's slow going though since I have to wait a day between applying the goo and testing the fix. LoL Good thing I have lots of other cars to drive. in the meantime I fixed the body damage the car had and cleaned out the interior good. This is going to be a NICE little car when I am done with it, I hope. Sure runs nice! 46 MPG highway!

[@pinkbull6]

I love Prii!!(?) I bought a 2008 with 168k on it for $4,150 (AWESOME deal) a couple years ago, but unfortunately totaled it (my fault - I was a new driver ) and thank God no one was hurt (except my Prius). I'm planning on getting another one and I don't really care what year because I like them all. I don't understand why they aren't more popular. They save so much gas and really stand out from the boring looking sedan clones that everyone else puts out. Best of luck to you on your Prius!

[@thecollegepicker]

That's a deal! Glad you enjoyed it while you had it. They are great cars. Glad you didn't get hurt either 🥺 sounds scary. Good luck with getting a new one, finding another gem 🤙🤙 thanks for watching

[@bestmaidsmaui9098]

Should I buy an 02 Prius 300k for $800- would you?

[@jerrileethornton1291]

I was the one trying to buy it haha.

[@michael47lamb]

Hey again! It has been a few weeks now so I thought I'd check in and see if you are having any pack-fun yet?

[@thecollegepicker]

I bought the parts but I'm in Europe now 🇬🇧🙌 will do when I get back

[@allfreenewkidsmovie7481]

Hi m8 I have Toyota Prius hybrid 2001 and I had the some problem just disconnect the main battery and reconnect again and will be OK if not just chak the feus box

[@thecollegepicker]

Hi thanks for the tip! I reset it a few times and it keeps coming back. It's deft a volt problem in the pack 😳

[@michael47lamb]

Hey again all! I dropped you a email about this too: I have been chatting with the guy who wrote the Dr. Prius app and he is very interested in meeting ANYONE who owns a Gen1 Prius and LIVES in the LA California area. This is so he can use your Gen1 to fine tune his app for these old cars. The car he originally used is gone now so he cannot do much else with the app for Gen1 Prius until he finds another to work on. So if anyone reads this and owns a 1998 to 2003 Prius and would kindly allow Jack to play with it some, please let me know if you would like to hook up with Jack, the Dr. Prius creator for some mutual help. This would ultimately benefit all Gen1 owners too.

[@thecollegepicker]

Hey Mike, I have all the footage of me building the battery in my computer I just haven't edited it yet. Too bad I'm in Florida otherwise I would totally be down to help with the app. Maybe one day I'll be able to drive her out there but I feel like that would be so much wear and tear on it 😓. did you email me? I don't really check my KZbin emails mostly just the comments sorry if I didn't respond

[@michael47lamb]

@@thecollegepicker Wheeoo! This is a relief. I dreaded calling the EU for INTERPOL. Who knows what bicycle path you would have been on! ;-) Glad you are there again. I indeed did watch and comment on the new rebuild video a couple days ago! Took me a while to find it. You do a lot of little videos about all sorts of stuff! Awesome job! Too bad you futzed it at the end. BTW I been meaning to ask, what is your name!? Also the Tampa place you traded your old pack to for the refurbed one at $1200, I need to ask. Did you get a nice discount for your old pack? You did at least a 80% refurbing yourself and I hate the idea they just took your work and the gen 1.5 modules in it for next to free. Also I dislike them not just telling you the lockout was up instead of selling you a pack. The refurbing you did would have worked fine otherwise. I have seen worse ones functioning great with 46 MPG everyday. The modules dont really need to be perfect. The computer program has a lot of tolerance in it.

[@folsomkid]

Hey Mike I am now the proud owner of a Gen 1 2002 in fine condition except the aux battery died. Got a start from AAA and drove it 20miles and it ran fine. The ABS light came on and now I don't remember it going off or not. But a few days later the aux battery was dead. I live in Sacramento area. Yes about 350 miles from LA. Obviously not going anywhere for a while but there are friends in SD I would love to visit. Not sure if I would want to drive a 2002 Prius versus the "other" car 2020 Corolla but maybe if you wanted to "play" on mine? Was looking for a way to avoid the $180 for a new aux battery from O'Reilly. baldy steve harper at yahoo.com

[@michael47lamb]

Hey Steve! Congrats on your new toy. FYI, the first gen prius is notorious for killing the 12v battery since the car has a nasty 0.2 to 0.5 amp parasitic elec load. You cant get rid of it either, at least I never found a way to. Theory is the alarm system and radio share some of the circuitry and are on all the time even when the key is out. Best thing to do with that car is drive the heck out of it, at least an hour drive every other day will keep the cells in decent shape. Worst thing you can do is let the car sit for a few days. This is certain to cause lots of errors as the old cells self discharge over the time sitting. The Dr Prius app will help you monitor the pack cell condition from time to time. Do not leave the OBD2 adapter plugged in the car all the time though as that will mess with the computer. I will also be trying to email you directly if you want to start a conversation.

[@kierstienpfaltzgraff2074]

Hi there! I currently own (may have to move on soon due to some repairs I'm not sure I want to undertake) a 2002 Toyota Prius. I've had it for about 5 years and got a really good deal on it also. If you're still looking for someone to refer him to with these cars feel free to contact me and I can give you contact info to pass along. Have a great day and stay safe!

[@michael47lamb]

Hey! Are you still alive out there somewhere? It has been a long time since i saw anything posted by you and am getting a bit concerned. Do we need to call INTERPOL? I quickie update on my two Gen 1 Prius'. Recently I had to replace both rear wheel bearings as well as one of the front wheel bearings (very different on the fronts!) The old ones made LOTS of noise even though the car only had 147k miles. Toyota really cheaped out on bearings back then it seems. Anyone else find this problem with Toyotas? In contrast my old Fords and Mazdas have 200k and still original wheel bearings and sound great. Hmm something odd about all this difference. But I also decided to cheap out on bearings too since the car is so old, so I went with TRQ bearings which are Chinese knockoffs that have a 10 year warranty. The bearing job went way better than I expected it to. HINT: Dont bother with hammering and chisels, instead use 1/2" bolts and nuts as jack screws! It works like magic almost! Both sides off in about 15 minutes without even sweating!

[@misterjay4347]

So how much time and money did you spend to fix the car?

[@thecollegepicker]

Haven't fixed it yet. Ordered 4 cells then I flew to Europe ☹️ will fix later when I get back

[@misterjay4347]

thecollegepicker i recently found a 2002 Prius with 75k miles and a 2005 Prius with 200k miles but with a new battery and motor, they both cost pretty much the same. Which one do you think is a better deal longevity wise? I want the used car I buy to last at least five years

[@thecollegepicker]

@@misterjay4347 probably the newer one.

[@toyoscio]

@@misterjay4347 2005 ODO will stop at 299,999 m/km. This was fixed from 2006 on, but clusters aren't compatible. ECHO is better

[@jonbliton1065]

I have 2 Gen 1's. Before you get ahead of yourself with those "new modules", you need to refresh/balance that battery. You do not yet have bad blocks or you would get more codes. Those "new modules" you ordered are also out of balance with your pack. I am in Tampa and have a prolong gen 1 cable, discharger and charger/balancer. You will need 3 days and you need the car in a garage you can quasi air condition. It is just too hot in FL right now. I just pull car in the garage when it is cool, close the door and then leave house door open with fan blowing out for the duration. I would not replace/rebuild the pack for a non-cronic p3006, you need to see if you can get these cells in harmony. Short term, reset the code, drive without the A/C to avoid the lower SOC that it will allow. If you must use A/C, use the MAX button and avoid idling longer than a stop light cycle.

[@thecollegepicker]

Appreciate the tips. Will probably be working on it soon 🥰🙏

[@user-bk486]

I met a code p3001 can you help me

[@Tary1233]

That clicking noise in the cassette is in mine too. I would assume it’s just how the tape deck in this car sounds.

[@thecollegepicker]

Oh no! I literally just ordered a new one yesterday 🤷‍♂️😂

[@Tary1233]

@@thecollegepicker o wow haha. Well lets hope its just a common issue then.

[@michael47lamb]

I was thinking of your car again today and wondering if you have started it up recently since you have been wandering the planet lately. I ask because I think you may run onto the same issue I just found: A dead 12v battery in the trunk. I replaced my 12v in June with a new one from Advanced Autoparts and for the last few weeks I have been seeing a weird warning light on the dash display. It is the little car with a ! over it. I have come to think this means the 12v battery is failing since mine is now totally dead again. I have it on a charger for the evening and thing are not looking too good. I am thinking I am going to go back to the store and make a warranty claim as this 12v battery looks like it has a dead cell in it. Maybe it was defective, but I have read that old Prius' kill 12v batteries if left sitting for weeks. Must be a parasitic load like the alarm system and etc. Next I am going to pull the fuse for the car alarm (they are a stupid idea anyway.)

[@aldowaldo05]

I'm looking at a 2004 Pruis that used to be a taxi. They are asking $1800 and I'm really tempted because of the fuel efficiency. I love that you can basically rebuild it and make it almost new again.

[@thecollegepicker]

That sounds like a high mileage Prius! Bet she is still bringing strong

[@ChrisCas22]

did you replace the battery?

[@thecollegepicker]

Just dropped a video today about it! =)

[@B3burner]

So let me get this straight- the first year 1st gens were sold in the U.S. were 2000, but they were first sold in Asia in 1997 or 99? Am I correct? I would think a 1st gen will eventually be a bit of a collector entity because the more rounded 90’s/00’s shape has become a bit of a novelty. I believe the newer generation Priuses, with the creases and zig-zag body panel look of the 10’s/20’s, is a bit overdone these days. Anyone who can keep these temperamental cars running well has earned my respect.

[@thecollegepicker]

Yes I agree 💯. Hope they become some weird collectable, this thing is my favorite car to drive hands down. I appreciate you checking out the video.

[@hurkamur1]

Gotta fix that whip. That pimp wagon will make for some interesting content.

[@thecollegepicker]

😂♥️♥️♥️

[@missdesireindependance5194]

Do the batteries come with a Warrenty?

[@thecollegepicker]

Toyota does for 100k miles I think. Some rebuilds do also.

[@mspointe4]

I have a 2013 Prius v (Gen 3) that got a new hybrid battery at Toyota thanks to Toyota Corporate. It’s a long story, but tip avoid AAA for your insurance. This year Toyota Corporate changed the hybrid battery warranty (at least for the Gen 3 v) to 3 years with UNlimited miles; however, they are working on getting the stealerships to learn that it’s now 3 years w/unlimited miles vs only 1 year and 12,000 miles. Huge difference!!! I’m open to selling to 2013 Prius v trim 5 with panoramic moon roof. Not even close to 110,000 miles.

[@mikeoveli1028]

I have a 2001 with 315,000. It is a great car. A car with an exclamation point came up on the display. Anyone know what that means. I hope it is not bad. I love this car.

[@thereisnothingtv1105]

Are there any issues with the car? And how does the battery work?

[@michael47lamb]

Hey again. It just hit me that when buying replacement modules you would do better to look for "Gen 1.5 modules." This is not the official Toyota name for these but they are listed online this way. These modules were a metal sided upgrade from the usual Gen 1 modules (which were mostly plastic cased.) They are also a bit less used usually and so hold more power and were less prone to leaking than the plastic ones did (do) sometimes. I have seen 1.5's for about $35 at Amazon and sometimes Ebay. But I would shop at places like Bumblebee Battery instead since their prices are about the same and you know who you are dealing with there. I read a couple people also promoting ElectoAutomotive, I have not used them before but have heard good things about them. I have no idea what their prices are like though.

[@michael47lamb]

OH! BE careful not to confuse Gen 2 modules with Gen 1.5!! They are NOT compatible! Gen 2 are a bit longer and if you get one of those mixed with the older ones you own the bus bars dont fit worth a damn.

[@thecollegepicker]

Noted. Appreciate it! I saw some sites selling the 1.5s thanks for clearing it up 🤙

[@michael47lamb]

@@thecollegepicker Also be wary of anyone claiming they sell NEW modules. There are NO new modules available to the public. If they are selling something that has never been in a car then that module is likely a Chinese knock off of suspect quality. There is a lot of that online too.

[@michael47lamb]

@@thecollegepicker It is worth noting that you should not just trash any modules you take out since many of these are restorable and have value on places like Ebay. Two or three deep cycles can work wonders on most modules. Also decent used cells are worth about $20 each if you can get them working at least to 50% of the original capacity. In fact such modules are simply worth keeping as spares for your car.

[@thecollegepicker]

@@michael47lamb good to know! Is there proper storage for these modules?

[@RockstarFlipper]

Shoulda got an i8 electric car :-)

[@thecollegepicker]

Oh man. The cells would be so expensive to fix probably 10k to get it looked at 🥺

[@RockstarFlipper]

@@thecollegepicker not far off.. batteries are $7800 out of warranty lol

[@RockstarFlipper]

@@thecollegepicker not far off.. batteries are $7800 out of warranty lol

[@cronicjointpain1]

Looks like the Walmart OBD lI scanner I got lol I might return it though cause it says I have no codes and I don't believe it. Gonna use a better auto parts store scanner and then decide.

[@phillyflash43]

I'd also be wary of the 2010-2013 Prius models. After your previous video I did some research and those years had a component that caused the cars to overheat/shut down. Toyota went with a software fix rather than replacing the component, saving them tons of money in the recall but many car owners say it's far from satisfactory.

[@thecollegepicker]

Oh wow never heard of this one thanks for the advice. I have a 2012 💀🥺

[@temitopebamidele8184]

Please I need this car Can someone help me get? I'm from Nigeria

[@archivestereo]

Your complaining about the tape deck?

[@thecollegepicker]

Yeah it makes a weird noise when I listen to tapes.

[@archivestereo]

thecollegepicker I love cassettes! They’re great!

[@TheTBills72]

ChrisFix has a good video on replacing Prius batteries. He used Electron Automotive as the source for the new battery and they have videos on how to replace the battery. Check them out!

[@thecollegepicker]

Will do! I'm planning to do a rebuild before a swap but that will be an option later down the road.

[@cronicjointpain1]

Yeah it's a good vid

[@katyrebel18]

Aren't cars like that hard to fix/maintain?

[@thecollegepicker]

Super easy maintenance. Depends on the fix. I'd say battery swap is easier than engine swap or tranny swap. Battery rebuild probably easier than engine rebuild also.

[@michael47lamb]

@@thecollegepicker An old Prius battery rebuild is a piece of cake compared to most any other major repair in a car. I can do it myself in about 2 days if that is all I am doing at the time and have all the spares I need on hand. Just work carefully and dont make mistakes.

[@KathrynKay0651]

I hate having car issues! lol

[@thecollegepicker]

It's the pits but it'll be alright 🙌🙌

[@Spam2004]

BROUGHT THIS IS MY ISSUE PLEASE HELP ME

[@FixItYerself]

any toyota dealer will have records of actual work done

[@jellyjordy1154]

I feel bad that you have a MacBook Pro with those butterfly keys

[@thecollegepicker]

Strong defective

[@masterchief8855]

Love the DIY videos. Other thought- maybe the original owner had her battery refurbished by Toyota. And Toyota put the OG battery back in. Doesn't matter now. Just wondering if that's what she meant. #lambo #notificationsquad #weabouttogetalotofgoodvideos #bringyourownsteeltoesflipflops

[@thecollegepicker]

Very well could have been. It's a mystery now. But stay tuned for the wrenching 😂🙌

[@w4ffel]

That Hunchback of Notre Dame song.

[@thecollegepicker]

😅🤙🤙♥️

[@pariahsgrit]

I have this same car and my tapedeck does the exact same thing...suuuuuper freaking annoying.

[@thecollegepicker]

Soooo lame! =( hahah are you on the second battery pack?

[@pariahsgrit]

I bought mine at around 96k and was told that the battery had been replaced once before...Never had any real issues with it...although, it's definitely not made for highway speeds at all. It just can't withstand going 65+. I've had to get it aligned a LOT.

[@thecollegepicker]

Yeah it's a little squirrelly bugger at higher speeds 🥺🤙😂

[@CosmoTigato]

Watch this 5 part video on fixing the prob kzbin.info/www/bejne/eJrYqZivjJKnisU

[@thecollegepicker]

Appreciate it 🥰🙏🙏

[@jellyjordy1154]

I found a white one abandoned

[@thecollegepicker]

Hopefully it runs 😍

[@knighttheflippingteam1059]

Just swap the engine out for a Corvette 350 V8. And then live your life a quarter mile at a time.

[@thecollegepicker]

Haha that's an option

[@hansnews5270]

I am a pharmacist but I can't find a job

[@thecollegepicker]

Apply to tcrhcc in Arizona. You'll get a job. 💪

[@DADDY_DIGI_HOBBIES]

tesla swap it!

[@brandirena1631]

My dude....Please...Please...get rid of the gum...Nothing more annoying than someone talking with gum sliding out of their mouth..other than that....great videos!

[@thecollegepicker]

Was waiting for the gumphobes 😅 apologies. 🙏