Weird behaviour.

insight_dummy · 11-20-2011, 11:33 AM

I am living in Alberta, Canada. My 2010 Honda Insight has not run 15 K Km. It was cold last night, -20C. I started the car, the engine did not start but all clickings and flashings came on. I turned the key and removed it of the ignition. The clikings and flashings still went on for half an hour. The signals lights outside were also flashing. Everything is quiet now and the car is dead. I am plugging the block heater to warm up the oil.
Can anyone help, please? Thanks.

Zwolfe · 11-20-2011, 12:14 PM

Sounds like you left your hazard lights on all day.

edit: I doubt that's the reason.

insight_dummy · 11-20-2011, 01:23 PM

Thank you for your quick reply.
The clickings and flashings did not happen before I started the car, and the flashings area everywhere on the dash. just like the control room of the alien's space ship.
Now I cannot open the hood. I lift the tap to open the hood but nothing happens. I think the battery is dead now, I need the recharge the battery before trying starting the car again.

jcbesq · 11-20-2011, 02:35 PM

cannot open the hood ???? it's a mechanical release, not electrical ... push down on the hood and then try the release again ... if that doesnt work have a friend push up and down on the hood while you finagle the release

the types of clickings and flashings you describe are consistent with a 12v battery that is perilously close to dead or too weak to adequately power all the cars systems ... this could be a result of the cold, shitty battery (which we know the I battery is) or both

samwichse · 11-20-2011, 02:40 PM

A lot of times people seem to find out their 12V is dead/dying when it fails to start the car in cold weather... otherwise the 12V can be in bad shape a looooong time in this car and you not really notice.

Just noticed you have a 2nd gen. But the point still stands with a side note that OEM Honda batteries are total crap. Just had to replace one showing high internal resistance in an '09 Fit.

AbCaRed00 · 11-20-2011, 03:26 PM

I'm in AB too so know what you mean on the cold temperatures lately. The windchill was fierce some places. Try and park out of the wind if possible.
My IMA battery got cold with internal resistance issues sitting offside a field -20C with 40kph gusts the other day in my first gen [which I posted about today tagging onto an old post.] Thankfully my 12V battery in my 2000 is a newer replacement than stock and may be a bit bigger than original.

Once you get the hood opened up as above, remove the 12V battery, [check it first for cracks etc if frozen], take it inside to warmth, let it thaw out on some cardboard a bit at room temps, i.e. no more frost forming on the sides and then some, check levels etc...put it on a battery charger, 10 Amp will do, set it depending on it's type, [ie. maintenance free or not.] I finish my charges at about 3Amp for a while. If you have to add water, make sure it is distilled, or maybe wrong, but I've melted snow with few difficulties in the past to top up the level.

Before you put it back in or get a replacement if it doesn't take a charge etc, make sure the posts are cleaned up shiny and the connections likewise. Tighten appropriately. If you use dielectric grease after don't get it on the contact points of posts and connectors.
Always, get the polarity right when installing. Red +ve. Black -ve etc etc. Use caution when boosting and connect to vehicle ground vs battery ground with all accessories on in the boosting vehicle to try and closer match the boosted battery. Reminds me I need to load on a set of cables.
I hope that helps, you'll get your car running, and that the weather may warm up in a few days.

ps.With the hazard lights flashing I wonder if there is something to do with the lock/key security system going on.

Zwolfe · 11-20-2011, 06:11 PM

Yea you should definitely be able to get that hood open. It's mechanical, there's nothing electrical about it.

Get that sucker charged. I usually trinkle charge batteries at 2 AMP's over the course of a night, or evening, whatever. 10 AMP when I'm in a hurry.

jcbesq is 100% right in that those noises you heard is the result of a dead battery that has enough juice to turn on the dash lights, but just won't even think of trying to start the automobile.

Get it charged, toss it back in and see what happens.

Could be your battery is on life support even while charged.

insightfulone · 11-20-2011, 08:38 PM

The flashing that continued after you removed the key was probably the alarm going off. Alarm systems tend to malfunction when the battery is low, I've had this happen on cars with bad batteries before. -20C is cold enough that the car will use the 12V to start rather than the IMA battery. Unless you left some light on overnight, your car should have started fine. There seem to be a number of premature 12V battery failures with the 2010, perhaps they did not survive the longer than average time on the dealer lots. A replacement battery should be covered under warranty. I suggest you visit your dealer and get it replaced.

insight_dummy · 11-22-2011, 02:49 PM

Hi all,

Thank you for your advices.

Eventually I opened the hood and recharged the battery. I read the manual and found that 2010 Insight has a feature called "imobilizer system": if the car does not reconize the key, it's flashing and turns off, to prevent the theft.
Now I can start the car with one key, but the other key cannot start the car, it causes flashings and clickings instead. Now I have to call the dealer. I will have to change the 12v battery anyway.

Once again, thank you all.