IMA Light, a good thing?

head-met · 12-31-2012, 11:12 PM

My IMA battery is on it's last legs, been so for the last 6 months. I get recals almost daily, (sometimes twice a day) and use my calpod clutch switch to stave off the IMA light. I still throw a P1449 code every so often. However, I fight to keep the mpg over 60 because every recal and code causes charging that saps into my MPG. On the other hand, once it throws a code and the IMA light comes on, my SOC goes to full bars and no longer is there charging that saps away my power, and my MPG goes up. The only thing I lose is the auto-stop. So is it better to just leave the IMA light on and drive on. What will happen hundreds of miles down the road?

"I'm not the smartest guy around, but I do have a little insight."

Willie Williford · 12-31-2012, 11:26 PM

As long as your 12V battery is getting a charge, I would just Keep on trucking.
Till you get a charger or a new battery.
(From my experience)

HTH
Willie

gilbertguy · 01-01-2013, 12:49 PM

I unplugged my BCM and turned the IMA switch to OFF. You have to be careful not to rev engine over 4K RPM but other then that it runs fine, you just have less power when accelerating.

**Rush** · 01-01-2013, 11:17 PM

I second what Willie and GilbertGuy said.

I ran a couple K miles like that this summer. I'd do a night charge, get an IMA, run a day or two like that, try and keep the mpg up by being careful, then recharge, run very carefully a day or two with the AC on to try and keep the bat temp down. Then I got a MaxIMA and ran the car like a normal Insight, what a difference.

Now, having gotten a new pack, I figure that the time and worry and effort spent nursing the sick Insight was NOT worth it. If you have the buck, I would spring for the pack right away.

head-met · 01-03-2013, 12:36 AM

Just a question, why did you opt for a MAXIMA battery when Hybrid Revolt is right there in Phoenix near and also sells batteries with new better cells. I was considering the drive to Az when I have enough $ to buy a new battery.

**Rush** · 01-03-2013, 12:59 AM

I had some things to trade and Eli gave me the best deal. Otherwise I would have bought from Matt since he is only just up the road from here.

Jivko57 · 01-03-2013, 11:20 AM

My battery was in a similar shape and a grid charger gave it some life. actually after installing it I got 10 mpg boost on the average for the whole year : 2011 - 70 mpg.

unfortunately it is a temporary fix and the battery continued to deteriorate ( however in a slower pace) ...