Rx 450h Hybrid Battery Replacement

[mandy3211]

Hi All,

My 2011 Rx450h sat on my driveway for a couple of months and wouldn’t start. So called the RAC, they tried their level best, but couldn’t help. The error displayed was ‘check hybrid system’. Took the vehicle to my local Lexus dealership and the diagnosis began. First it was a relay in the hybrid Battery which was faulty, replaced it, still no joy. The next error code was for a Battery sensor, again replaced, still the vehicle wouldn’t budge. Now, the final diagnosis is that the hybrid Battery needs to be replaced as it has been damaged due to water ingress potentially from a leak of the rubber seals and grommets on the bumper. Have been quoted circa £2700 for the hybrid Battery without labour on top of the 1000 quid for the relay and the sensor.

Does anyone have any similar experience on their vehicle of a similar model or year.

I’m just contemplating, is it worth spending close to 4/5 grand on a vehicle which is 10 years old.

But, if I don’t, no one would buy it as it’s dead meat. 
 

Any suggestions/comments are very welcome and appreciated. Cheers.

[C Mclean]

I think I’d be getting someone who can check out the individual cells and connections to see if there is a problem there. Have a trawl thru the forum to find the details of folk that specialise in this.

[royoftherovers]

Speak with Richard at Hybrid Battery Solutions.com

[Herbie]

9 hours ago, mandy3211 said:

Hi All,

My 2011 Rx450h sat on my driveway for a couple of months and wouldn’t start. So called the RAC, they tried their level best, but couldn’t help. The error displayed was ‘check hybrid system’. Took the vehicle to my local Lexus dealership and the diagnosis began. First it was a relay in the hybrid battery which was faulty, replaced it, still no joy. The next error code was for a battery sensor, again replaced, still the vehicle wouldn’t budge. Now, the final diagnosis is that the hybrid battery needs to be replaced as it has been damaged due to water ingress potentially from a leak of the rubber seals and grommets on the bumper. Have been quoted circa £2700 for the hybrid battery without labour on top of the 1000 quid for the relay and the sensor.

Does anyone have any similar experience on their vehicle of a similar model or year.

I’m just contemplating, is it worth spending close to 4/5 grand on a vehicle which is 10 years old.

But, if I don’t, no one would buy it as it’s dead meat. 
 

Any suggestions/comments are very welcome and appreciated. Cheers.

These cars are very reliable and although it may be 10 years old, there's no reason why you shouldn't get at least another 10 and probably more out of it.

Really, the question is - if the car was working perfectly would it suit my needs for the next 'x' amount of years?

If the answer is yes, I think you should do as the others suggest and talk to Richard at https://www.hybridbatterysolutions.co.uk/

As the saying goes, "Better the devil you know". You could sell it for peanuts in its current state and someone would do the work and get a decent motor, while your replacement for it may turn out to be a bag of spanners.

[KenMavor]

9 hours ago, mandy3211 said:

Hi All,

My 2011 Rx450h sat on my driveway for a couple of months and wouldn’t start. So called the RAC, they tried their level best, but couldn’t help. The error displayed was ‘check hybrid system’. Took the vehicle to my local Lexus dealership and the diagnosis began. First it was a relay in the hybrid battery which was faulty, replaced it, still no joy. The next error code was for a battery sensor, again replaced, still the vehicle wouldn’t budge. Now, the final diagnosis is that the hybrid battery needs to be replaced as it has been damaged due to water ingress potentially from a leak of the rubber seals and grommets on the bumper. Have been quoted circa £2700 for the hybrid battery without labour on top of the 1000 quid for the relay and the sensor.

Does anyone have any similar experience on their vehicle of a similar model or year.

I’m just contemplating, is it worth spending close to 4/5 grand on a vehicle which is 10 years old.

But, if I don’t, no one would buy it as it’s dead meat. 
 

Any suggestions/comments are very welcome and appreciated. Cheers.

I think this highlights perfectly the problem with so called mechanics these days.....they are more technicians, who plug in a computer, get a code and replace the item that the code is pointing to that is faulty.  And so on down to the last code.

All they are doing is treating symptoms and not the root cause and when all that fails they are stumped.

Better to go to someone who specialises in said area and then you will get a guy who has knowledge and experience of similar problems.

[mandy3211]

Thank you to all for your valuable inputs. It’s much appreciated.

[Herbie]

2 hours ago, KenMavor said:

I think this highlights perfectly the problem with so called mechanics these days.....they are more technicians, who plug in a computer, get a code and replace the item that the code is pointing to that is faulty.  And so on down to the last code.

All they are doing is treating symptoms and not the root cause and when all that fails they are stumped.

I know what you mean and I do agree - to an extent.

Having spent more than 40 years in maintenance, first as a time-served electrician, then as a telephone engineer and lastly as a computer technician, we have to believe what our test gear tells us. Of course, test gear alone will only take you so far and knowledge and experience have to be poured into the mix as well.

[Mihanicos]

The hybrid Battery consists of 40 cells connected in series, each has a nominal voltage of 7.2 volts and about 8.4 volts when fully charged by the hybrid Battery ecu.  If a single cell fails or even a bad connection in any of the cells or in the whole series circuit develops a contact resistance, these factors will limit the charging and current output of the hybrid Battery resulting in " check hybrid Battery ". The Techstream shows the voltage of each pair of cells. I am surprised why Lexus did not justify their decree for a new Battery.

Most likely you have one or two cells whose voltage is lower than the other cells. 

You can buy from eBay individual cells for about £40 each if my memory serves me right and replace the bad ones.

It may be possible to revive the bad cells by charging and discharging them using a suitable charger.

There are many videos on Youtube on how to replace bad hybrid Battery cells. It is not a difficult job if you have basic mechanic's skills and you can get somebody to help you.

There are some safety rules you must observe when working with high voltage batteries.

Chris.

[Raj Thukral]

Mandy

It is unbelievable that I have a Ditto problem. The water ingress and collected under the main Battery area which cleared by hole punching by AA patrol. AA found Hybrid system error POA08 Dc/DC converter. However, AA patrol asked me to go to local Toyota specialist. However, I went to Lexus dealer who advised me to get a service done and that will also cover diagnostic to find out. Lexus didn't find anything.  But I mentioned about water issue, Lexus come up with further diagnostic to carry out further investigation will cost £674 nothing guarantee that it will stop there. I went back to local specialist recommended by AA patrol he charged me for an hour labour and come up with the same fault as AA did. Local garage  said DC/DC Converter to be replaced. He suggested will source used one cost between £700-£800 fitted with three months guarantee only. Please let me know if you have further advise or what solution you are opting for. Please drop me an email to be intouch?

pr@thukral.co.uk

Raj  

 

[Raj Thukral]

Similar problem as Mandy has it except AA patrol managed to start the vehicle. Reset Hybrid system Check sign but it re appeared and Red Battery sign also showing even after the service was carried out by Lexus dealer. For further diagnostic Lexus dealer require 4 hour labour £175 ph plus vat may go further depends.

Any advice

Mihanicos

Can you recommend any mechanic or garage dealing Lexus ?

[mandy3211]

Hey Raj,

Thanks for your replies. I have been quoted circa £4800 for replacing the hybrid Battery, relay and sensor. And Lexus are saying they still need to find the leakage point otherwise this all will be of no avail. Since my vehicle is less than 10 years old and Lexus provide a 10 yr warranty on the hybrid Battery my first question was why can’t this be replaced under warranty. To which the Service Manager replied that to maintain the validity of the warranty, the hybrid Battery needs to be checked every 12 months. Mine was checked last in Jan 20 so was due for a check in Jan this year, but I couldn’t get it done due to the lockdown with the dealerships closed. Now they’re saying that the warranty cannot be honoured as I missed getting the test done in Jan. I’ll be debating that and need to have a word with the dealership again. I’m not sure what’ll be the outcome. But the thing is that if I don’t get the hybrid Battery replaced, the vehicle won’t start and is of no use.

Keeping my fingers crossed.

[Mossypossy]

Wow. That is harsh. Were they closed for servicing or just showroom closed?

That is why I ensured to book my next hybrid test 51 weeks after the last.....just to be sure.

[flookyk]

2 hours ago, mandy3211 said:

Hey Raj,

Thanks for your replies. I have been quoted circa £4800 for replacing the hybrid battery, relay and sensor. And Lexus are saying they still need to find the leakage point otherwise this all will be of no avail. Since my vehicle is less than 10 years old and Lexus provide a 10 yr warranty on the hybrid battery my first question was why can’t this be replaced under warranty. To which the Service Manager replied that to maintain the validity of the warranty, the hybrid battery needs to be checked every 12 months. Mine was checked last in Jan 20 so was due for a check in Jan this year, but I couldn’t get it done due to the lockdown with the dealerships closed. Now they’re saying that the warranty cannot be honoured as I missed getting the test done in Jan. I’ll be debating that and need to have a word with the dealership again. I’m not sure what’ll be the outcome. But the thing is that if I don’t get the hybrid battery replaced, the vehicle won’t start and is of no use.

Keeping my fingers crossed.

Were all Lexus/ Toyota dealers closed down your way?

Up here RMB Autos (Lexus Teesside) was still open through this last one for servicing/ repairs etc and I had bought and had my dashcam system supplied and fitted by them.

[Raj Thukral]

Mandeep

I have similar quote from Lexus. Did you try calling any other garages or suggested by Chris to explore if the bad Hybrid cells can be revived?

My vehicle is 2009, so out of warranty. To carry out further full diagnostic for hybrid is £674 then replacing DC/DC Converter part £3600+ Labour 5-6 hours at £175 ph +VAT plus any other issues. I am also in fix if it is  worth spending so  much. Get used parts fitted with three months warranty ony?      

[mandy3211]

Raj,

The trouble is that my vehicle is almost 2 hours away from Richard of hybrid Battery solutions. I’m contemplating the cost to take the vehicle there and then also the problem won’t be solved as my vehicle has a leakage somewhere so the whole of the hybrid Battery is corroded. Not sure if replacing cells would work on this one or not. Lexus have said that they’ll investigate and fix the leakage for me so that this problem doesn’t arise in the future. My question to them was that the vehicle has been coming to them twice a year for MOT and service but they didn’t know in the last couple of years that a leakage is corroding the Battery. I’m surprised at the dealership. I need to have a final chat with them before I decide the further course of action.

[Raj Thukral]

Mandy

Is your vehicle completely stopped and not drivable? Was it driven after you called rac in first instant? My car was started by AA.

[Raj Thukral]

On 4/14/2021 at 4:56 PM, Mihanicos said:

The hybrid battery consists of 40 cells connected in series, each has a nominal voltage of 7.2 volts and about 8.4 volts when fully charged by the hybrid battery ecu.  If a single cell fails or even a bad connection in any of the cells or in the whole series circuit develops a contact resistance, these factors will limit the charging and current output of the hybrid battery resulting in " check hybrid battery ". The Techstream shows the voltage of each pair of cells. I am surprised why Lexus did not justify their decree for a new battery.

Most likely you have one or two cells whose voltage is lower than the other cells. 

You can buy from ebay individual cells for about £40 each if my memory serves me right and replace the bad ones.

It may be possible to revive the bad cells by charging and discharging them using a suitable charger.

There are many videos on Youtube on how to replace bad hybrid battery cells. It is not a difficult job if you have basic mechanic's skills and you can get somebody to help you.

There are some safety rules you must observe when working with high voltage batteries.

Chris.

Do you recommend hybridbatterysolutions?

[brendangeorge]

If you are going to have a go at the electrics on your hybrid you need this manual - and be careful.

The dealer found water in my AUX Battery well and recommended they check there is no water near the traction Battery.  The problem is the dealer wants £300 for the work - check the manual out.  I can see why - the rear seats need to come out.

I will be biting the bullet later after reading about other water ingress problems because my car is still under warranty.

Good luck Mandy - you can check the status of your hybrid Battery using the OBD port.  You need the correct scanner and software - I am going to check mine out later this week.  It is unlikely that all the cells are duff - look on YouTube you can see videos of Prius cell replacements.  When mine was serviced last Nov it was in great nick and the hybrid health check was fine - it is a 2012 with 105K on the clock.

Be very careful - I have been an electrical engineer for 40 years and can tell you, through experience, if you are not experienced mistakes can be costly and even lethal.

Regards

Bren

RX450_GYL2.pdf

[Raj Thukral]

I have found AA Patrol recommend Toyata specialist garage who is quoted me £1100 with 6 months warranty to replace dc/dc converter used one. Is it worth going for?

[Barry14UK]

Appreciate some cars may be out of warranty provided by annual check on hybrid Battery.  However, does anybody know whether this annual check just involves hooking up to check electronic parameters or does it also involve a visual inspection (with minimum strip down) to establish whether there are signs of corrosion developing?  If the latter is not done, perhaps it should be, as we are considering a costly item to replace as well as inconvenience.  Lexus must know the usual points of water ingress that can affect this Battery, as a number of owners have experienced it and could advise as part of the check if there were any areas needing further investigation by the owner or a garage.

From a cost aspect, the cost of having to replace this Battery prematurely could more than offset petrol saving provided by the hybrid  

[royoftherovers]

5 hours ago, Raj Thukral said:

Do you recommend hybridbatterysolutions?

Not seen or heard of a bad word about him. You have nothing to lose by making a simple phone call Raj.

[Herbie]

16 minutes ago, Barry14UK said:

However, does anybody know whether this annual check just involves hooking up to check electronic parameters or does it also involve a visual inspection

https://mag.lexus.co.uk/lexus-hybrid-health-check-2/

[royoftherovers]

15 minutes ago, Barry14UK said:

Appreciate some cars may be out of warranty provided by annual check on hybrid battery.  However, does anybody know whether this annual check just involves hooking up to check electronic parameters or does it also involve a visual inspection (with minimum strip down) to establish whether there are signs of corrosion developing?  If the latter is not done, perhaps it should be, as we are considering a costly item to replace as well as inconvenience.  Lexus must know the usual points of water ingress that can affect this battery, as a number of owners have experienced it and could advise as part of the check if there were any areas needing further investigation by the owner or a garage.

From a cost aspect, the cost of having to replace this battery prematurely could more than offset petrol saving provided by the hybrid  

https://mag.lexus.co.uk/lexus-hybrid-health-check-2/

[Raj Thukral]

14 minutes ago, Barry14UK said:

Appreciate some cars may be out of warranty provided by annual check on hybrid battery.  However, does anybody know whether this annual check just involves hooking up to check electronic parameters or does it also involve a visual inspection (with minimum strip down) to establish whether there are signs of corrosion developing?  If the latter is not done, perhaps it should be, as we are considering a costly item to replace as well as inconvenience.  Lexus must know the usual points of water ingress that can affect this battery, as a number of owners have experienced it and could advise as part of the check if there were any areas needing further investigation by the owner or a garage.

From a cost aspect, the cost of having to replace this battery prematurely could more than offset petrol saving provided by the hybrid  

It appears if so many vehicle have water ingress issues.  Does this not amounts to manufacturers problem? 
 

[Raj Thukral]

On 4/20/2021 at 5:49 AM, mandy3211 said:

Hey Raj,

Thanks for your replies. I have been quoted circa £4800 for replacing the hybrid battery, relay and sensor. And Lexus are saying they still need to find the leakage point otherwise this all will be of no avail. Since my vehicle is less than 10 years old and Lexus provide a 10 yr warranty on the hybrid battery my first question was why can’t this be replaced under warranty. To which the Service Manager replied that to maintain the validity of the warranty, the hybrid battery needs to be checked every 12 months. Mine was checked last in Jan 20 so was due for a check in Jan this year, but I couldn’t get it done due to the lockdown with the dealerships closed. Now they’re saying that the warranty cannot be honoured as I missed getting the test done in Jan. I’ll be debating that and need to have a word with the dealership again. I’m not sure what’ll be the outcome. But the thing is that if I don’t get the hybrid battery replaced, the vehicle won’t start and is of no use.

Keeping my fingers crossed.

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