2006 Gs450H Hybrid Battery Failure

[Hybrid tin can man]

As mentioned in some other posts, my 2006 GS450H has developed traction Battery problems.

Last night it threw out error code P3027: Battery Block 17 becomes weak.

A week previous the error code was P0A80: Replace hybrid battry pack.

The first week or so the car drove fine without the hybrid system engaging, just running on the petrol engine.

Last night i noticed that the Battery was charging and de-charging quite rapidly. Going from full green all the way to one bar and back up with in the space of 1-2 minutes.

The coolant fan for the Battery was also quite loud, indicating that either:

A: The Battery is indeed charging and de-charging very quickly, thus necessitating the high speed of the coolant fan or:

B: The system just thinks that the Battery is charging and de-charging quickly and switches the fan on because it deems it necessary.

C: Neither of the above and it could be something else really simple.

The vehicle is going into Lexus for some recall work relating to the fuel system that they are going to perform free of charge.

Is the car safe to drive until then?

[steve2006]

I recently read a feature where someone has actually repaired a hybrid Battery, apparently the failure was due to the reaction between the different metals from the Battery posts and the connecting straps.

The guy knew what he was doing regarding safety as this is not a DIY amateur project for obvious reasons!!!!

I would think it would be safe to continue driving if anything major happened something would shut off the hybrid system.

There have been reports of invertor failure due to the coolant pump giving up and poor solder connections inside the invertor.

What with this and now reports of stretched timing chains makes me wonder.

[hybridbatterysolutions]

Hi there

It is indeed A and B

The wild jumping between low & high is called recalibrating it's the Battery ecu trying to make sense of the information its getting both voltage & temperature wise.

It is a good thing that the cooling fan is running - it's doing it's job.

Its ok to keep driving for a bit but not for too long - it needs looking at within a few weeks.

Regards Richard

[WilliamGrogan]

I've a 2006 Lexus 450h with 140K on the clock and the hybrid Battery has failed. I've been quoted nearly £3 grand to replace it. I've been on to Lexus to complain that a major component has failed to last the life of the car. I suspect that may be in breach of the Sale of Goods Act. Let's see what they say.

[Z28DUNC]

There's a couple of people who run small businesses repairing the batteries and giving a years warranty. I can't remember who it is on here but they run one of them. £800 ish.

[WilliamGrogan]

Hi. Thanks for your reply. I aware of those companies. I may have to go down that route but what if every year a couple of cells pack in?

If, as Lexus claim, the Battery should last the life of the car why am I being asked to replace a major component? The car is in perfect nick otherwise.

[hybridbatterysolutions]

Hi I have to remain within the rules here, I can help with your problem & have made recent developments that address your long term concerns with your GS, maybe you can PM me

[ColinBarber]

If, as Lexus claim, the battery should last the life of the car why am I being asked to replace a major component? The car is in perfect nick otherwise.

A 9 year old vehicle that has done 140k miles and a repair cost under 10% of the vehicle retail price - The sale of goods act isn't going to help you there. Plenty of vehicles have engine, transmission and infotainment system failures at similar age with similar repair costs. You have the option of purchasing warranties/insurance to cover these sort of failures.

The Battery can almost certainly be repaired for a fraction of the cost that Lexus are quoting you.