I'm having this same issue with my 2008 Tahoe Hybrid - throwing codes POAC4 and PO61B. Dealership installed new ECM, reprogrammed and cleaned throttle body. It's driving better but problem still exists.

I am in Florida, so there are none of the hybrid shops here - but I found a guy down in Miami who says he can test the battery and recondition the bad cells if it isn't too far gone - else he can replace with battery from low mileage Escalade wrecked vehicle (says the battery tested perfectly).

The problem is - I'm a woman - and I'm a little nervous about making this trip, which is 7 hours south of me. My gut feeling is this guy's on the level - hybrid car solutions, inc.

 

My apologies for butting in on this thread with this - wanted to capitalize on this synergy.

 

Hi,

I forgot to update this. They replaced the battery and it solvedy problem, I haven't had an issue since, and drove it from Virginia to Florida. Gas mileage went up, it's staying in Autostop mode longer from a stop, drive smoother all around. The original price was $4200 if I remember right, it was so close to the 100,000 mile warranty (106,000) that the GM at the dealership felt bad for me and discounted it down to $3300. It was also because of my horrible experience with another local Chevy dealership, he took pity on me... Nice guy!

I too tried a local Hybrid Shop who assurEd me they could check the battery condition for me. But when I went in they said, they could not diagnose, that they didn't have the program and equipment needed for GM stuff... Apparently they were only used to working on toyotas.

Hope this helps, feel free to ask questions.

 

Thanks for the update. I started a new thread to see if I could find anyone who has had their battery cells repaired. I am also starting to feel as though I may not feel secure on the road any longer with the car...

 

Pre-failure can always be diagnosed if the battery is weak from the dealer.

 

Thanks - I guess that is what the cadillac/gmc dealer did - they drove it and found the battery voltage was problematic. One of the dealerships that I got a price on a new battery from said they would rather diagnose it as well to make sure and would deduct the cost for the diagnostic from any repairs. Just really struggling on what to do - maybe it's time to get another vehicle?

 

I had my hybrid services at morse cadillac in tampa. They're highly recommended by hillbilly

 

Morse is about 2.5 hours away from me - I am in the Daytona Beach area. I could make the trip over there, but I'm wondering how much is too much to spend on repairing this vehicle? I know I am the only one that can really answer that - but I would like some opinions.

Also found a shop in Tampa called GreenTecAuto that can rebuild a hybrid battery, too. Does anyone know anything about them? greentecauto.com

Maybe I should go over for the day and explore both options?

 

I would NOT trust people who say they can "recondition" cells. This is chemistry. Once it is broken... it's done. Not a reversable process.

If someone is brave enough to swap out modules shown here

http://www.ebay.com/itm/08-Toyota-Prius-Camry-Hybrid-Battery-Cell-7-2-Volt-Tested-7-6V-OEM-04-06-07-/151671847117?fits=Model%3APrius&hash=item235058b8cd&vxp=mtr
They need to match the voltage/amps characteristics of ALL the other 39 cells in your pack.

The GM and Prius (shown) are EXACTLY the SAME! The battery computer will know

Replacing a battery is easy. Getting it done under $4000 is not.

 

Point taken - I guess I could save myself a trip to Tampa and have them replaced at the dealership here - both Chevy dealers quoted $2700 for the battery and $230 to install.

I guess that is a good deal judging from your post.