Want to install clutch switch/Assist disable?

theaveng · 10-22-2012, 08:40 PM

Anybody willing to install a clutch switch so I can disable assist in my old insight? I'm booked this weekend but available the following two weekends. I would pay you for your time/parts.

Also: Can someone give me more details about trickle-charging the battery? You think that would revive it?

Willie Williford · 10-22-2012, 08:47 PM

If you have CVT, the CARD switch won't work.
Trickle charge or Grid charge. Which one do you want?

Willie

head-met · 10-23-2012, 12:32 AM

I'm in Chino Hills, and could show you how to do it. All you need is about $5.00 in parts, about an hour of your time, and some limber back and neck muscles.

Willie Williford · 10-23-2012, 02:45 AM

Does this mean another "show and tell" meet?

Willie

theaveng · 10-23-2012, 11:56 AM

I decided "no" to the disable/clutch switch. My battery drained empty & I experienced life without the assist. The car acted like it didn't want to climb up the shallow slope towards work. Better to have some assist than none.

"Trickle charge" is what someone recommended to revive my failing battery. Not sure how or why that would work.

Willie Williford · 10-23-2012, 01:14 PM

You Grid charge the 144V at a trickle amperage.
Your battery has to have the right cord/lead connected for someone to assist. That's the hardest part for someone to assist you and it will take app. 12-19 hours to complete the charge. (Depending on the condition of your battery.)
Change your driving style a little and maybe you can get the battery back to a somewhat normal condition.
HTH
Willie

gilbertguy · 10-23-2012, 01:27 PM

The CalPod switch is what you were wanting to have installed but it sounds like you've decided against it now. And yes this car is pretty gutless without assist, you gotta keep the RPM's pretty high to get any power out of it.

AbCaRed00 · 10-23-2012, 01:54 PM

When i first drove the car after I'd killed the IMA leaving it in autostop parked a while [DRL up here in Canada] and then started out again, I first thought I'd the parking brake left on! Nice thing it charged up and held the charge after fairly well.

Agreed for sure with 'head-met' a very limber back and neck muscles are required for the position your body has to take to install the switch, it may be the limiting factor for some and a real pain; been there done similar with the rostra cruise control clutch switch wiring that goes in the same spot. Here's a linked POV pic of the perspective of the wiring seen straight up from where your head would be; and that's with a flash going off, a light was required. My back is 'done' from long back but the task was do-able with some oaths uttered in process.

You could do like Art did in the Rostra install and line up your wires and connections ahead of time to make the job easier, perhaps piggy backing some connections if possible to make it a plug in.

It's quite a transition moving from a very powerful car to the insight; half the economy or more is derived from the vehicles smooth operation not just the technology. ie. "Lift" wherever possible, and watch the FCD bar out of the corner of the eye. After a time you will just feel and hear the LB without having to check.

head-met · 10-25-2012, 12:13 AM

Stop! You're making my neck hurt just thinking about it. Three times I had to get out of that position to get a piece of wire, or my crimpers, or something. So glad it's done

paradiddlepaul · 10-25-2012, 10:04 AM

I just installed the CALPOD clutch switch mod. It turned out well but it was not he easiest thing to get my 56 year old body under that dash. Worst part was I could not get more than one hand at a time up there so holding the wire with one hand while twisting or soldering with the other was not an option. I think more the a few curse words were uttered that afternoon

Working great now though!