P1449 w/78 subcode on 2000 MT and battery ID question

[yogaguy]

First, my apologies for bringing up an over-worked topic. I have tried to sort through old posts. I've only owned the car for 14 months. It has 182K, and the IMA was replaced in Jan. of 2010. IMA light came on last May. The 12v battery was failing. When I replaced it, the IMA light went off and charging/discharging resumed. Nov. 28th, IMA came back, this time with P1449, subcode 78. IMA stopped charging and slowly discharged.

I have reason to think that the previous owner may have swapped out the battery for the battery in his 02 Insight. There were other parts that were cannibalized. It seems unlikely that a newly reconditioned battery would fail in less than three years, though I know that it's possible. My understanding is that 00 and 01 models may have had problems with the original battery condition monitor and motor control module, and that could cause "premature" battery failure.

My two questions are: (1) Is there a way to figure out if the battery I have is the one that was replaced in 2010?
(2) What are my options for the IMA
(3) Is there anything I need to do immediately? (I've been driving the car since Nov. 28th without the IMA functioning, but I haven't changed any settings or disconnected anything.)

Thanks everyone!

[Willie Williford]

Possible answers:
1) Not without "paper work" from whoever replaced the battery.
2) Get a charger and charge the IMA battery up.
3) Monitor the 12V battery charge and "keep on trucking". There have been some Insighters that have driven many many thousands of miles with the IMA light on. You will lose auto stop and the engine may or may not start off the IMA battery.

HTH
Willie

[yogaguy]

Originally Posted by Willie Williford

Possible answers:
1) Not without "paper work" from whoever replaced the battery.
2) Get a charger and charge the IMA battery up.
3) Monitor the 12V battery charge and "keep on trucking". There have been some Insighters that have driven many many thousands of miles with the IMA light on. You will lose auto stop and the engine may or may not start off the IMA battery.

HTH
Willie

It was a Honda dealer in Canada (I'm in MN) that replaced the battery. I have the invoice, but there are no serial numbers listed. I've spoken to them a couple of times, and they've been helpful.

Is there a cheaper option for a charger than this: 2000 06 Honda Insight Grid Charger Phev Conversion Increase MPG Pack Life | eBay

[Willie Williford]

When the battery was installed they probably didn't record the serial number. That is normal for most dealers.

Check here for a charger.
Insight - Hybrid Automotive

Willie

[TopFuelTim]

Unfortunately, the battery can die that soon. My 2001 MT battery was replaced January 2010 also, and it began giving problems in August this year. Had to rebuild it. I gather from reading the forums that no new cells were built after 2006. The replacement batteries are refurbished units.


My 2 cents worth
Tim Glover

[Hybrid-Battery-Repair]

From anecdotal evidence here, the lifespan of 2008+ warranty batteries appears to be about 2-3 years. That is when the documentation started to indicate that the warranty batteries were refurbished ones. In early 2010 Honda purchased a couple refurbished batteries from us. We believe they were "checking the competition".

Originally Posted by yogaguy

First, my apologies for bringing up an over-worked topic. I have tried to sort through old posts. I've only owned the car for 14 months. It has 182K, and the IMA was replaced in Jan. of 2010. IMA light came on last May. The 12v battery was failing. When I replaced it, the IMA light went off and charging/discharging resumed. Nov. 28th, IMA came back, this time with P1449, subcode 78. IMA stopped charging and slowly discharged.

I have reason to think that the previous owner may have swapped out the battery for the battery in his 02 Insight. There were other parts that were cannibalized. It seems unlikely that a newly reconditioned battery would fail in less than three years, though I know that it's possible. My understanding is that 00 and 01 models may have had problems with the original battery condition monitor and motor control module, and that could cause "premature" battery failure.

My two questions are: (1) Is there a way to figure out if the battery I have is the one that was replaced in 2010?
(2) What are my options for the IMA
(3) Is there anything I need to do immediately? (I've been driving the car since Nov. 28th without the IMA functioning, but I haven't changed any settings or disconnected anything.)

Thanks everyone!

[Subdewd2]

I might be mistaken, I'm new here, but I believe I read the shrink wrap on sticks after a certain date changed color.

[jime]

Originally Posted by Hybrid-Battery-Repair

From anecdotal evidence here, the lifespan of 2008+ warranty batteries appears to be about 2-3 years. That is when the documentation started to indicate that the warranty batteries were refurbished ones. In early 2010 Honda purchased a couple refurbished batteries from us. We believe they were "checking the competition".

I believe this to be an accurate statement. It corresponds with my own experience with a Honda warranty replacement in May of 2010. I have not abused this battery and yet it is already showing loss of capacity. I have tried reconditioning with a charger/discharger, with only slight improvement. It isn't acting really "ugly" but is clearly down on power.

I think those who love these cars and want to hold on are left with four choices:
1. Buy one of the new breed of NEW batteries such as Bumblebee, HybridReinvolt, or HybridRevolt, or,
2. Collect a lot of the old sticks and learn how to rebuild battery packs, or,
3. Start moving toward some other replacement chemistry such as LiFO4, or,
4. Run without the battery and give up the hybrid features of the car. That isn't necessarily a bad thing entirely.

[jime]

Still no mouse overs

[diamondlarry]

Originally Posted by yogaguy

Is there a cheaper option for a charger than this: 2000 06 Honda Insight Grid Charger Phev Conversion Increase MPG Pack Life | eBay

There is less than $100 in parts in that unit.