How to read IMA (and other) diag codes without a scanner.

[flunkysama]

I've been playing the "free new battery" lottery for a while and finally got the IMA light to come on. Not sure if this would result in a new battery or $50 charge to clear the code, I read the service manual about reading the IMA codes. I talks about grounding the SCS line in the ODBII connector and the counting the IMA light flashes to get the code. Well it worked. Here's how you can do it..

0. If you don't have the service manual, don't bother. Without being able to look up the codes and see what it means, you'll just be wasting time.
1. Key off.
2. Locate the OBDII port.(honda calls it the DLC) in '00 & '01 it is in front of the center console on the passenger side.
3. Locate pin 9. In '00 & '01 models it the uppermost towards the rear. There is also a very small '9' next to it.
4. Put the end of a paper clip or similar sized wire in the hole next to it.
5. Clip a jump on that wire and to the chassis ground. The bracket the OBDII port is mounted on is good. It should look like this
6. Key on (Don't start the car, just turn it on)
7. On the dash, the IMA, EPS, ABS, SRS and CEL/MIL will all flash any stored codes. It will flash longs flashes for the Tens digit and short flashes for last digit. Pause. and repeat. (example: if your IMA light flashes Long-long-long-long-long-long-long-short-short-short-short-short-short-short then you have code 77 which is "battery module deterioration" and you could be getting a new battery.) If multiple codes are stored then it will flash out the first code, then the next code, so on and then repeat. It's not real easy to read the code(s), so after you think you have it, double check.
8. Turn the key off and remove the wires.

This will not clear any stored codes. Some subsystems (i.e. the IMA) can be cleared by disconnecting the battery or pulling fuse 18. Others require the use of a scanner. The CEL/MIL codes are not the standard P-codes, they are honda-specific numbers listed in the service manual.

Have fun.

[twonicaguy]

wow, very good. thanks

[snowboardsteez]

Hey flunkysama,
What do mean by "free new battery" lottery? I'm just curious because mine has 115,000 and honda thinks it might need a new battery.

[flunkysama]

Originally Posted by snowboardsteez

Hey flunkysama,
What do mean by "free new battery" lottery? I'm just curious because mine has 115,000 and honda thinks it might need a new battery.

I thought the Joke was rather obvious, but I'll spell it out...

If your battery fails under warantee, honda will replace it free. "Failure" to honda is defined as having the IMA/BCM determine the battery "has degraded" and turn on the IMA light. Some people (like me) have frequent recals and other problems without the IMA light ever coming on. Some people seem to have no problems when the IMA determines the battery has degraded. So, in that aspect it seems random, kinda like a lottery.

I get spam for fake lotteries all the time. I was also playing off that thinking most other people get that kind of spam too.

[devin1955]

Originally Posted by flunkysama

If your battery fails under warantee, honda will replace it free. "Failure" to honda is defined as having the IMA/BCM determine the battery "has degraded" and turn on the IMA light. Some people (like me) have frequent recals and other problems without the IMA light ever coming on. Some people seem to have no problems when the IMA determines the battery has degraded. So, in that aspect it seems random, kinda like a lottery.

Just a bit off topic, but you touched on something there that I'm currently in the middle of.

Do you know what the failure mode is when the IMA warning indicator light illuminates? Mine did the other day, followed by a Check Engine light. This all occured in the middle of what I think was the first re-calibration I've had since purchasing the vehicle used. It's at the dealer right now being looked at.

I wish I had seen your post before I took it in. While I trust my dealer, I would have liked to have known the code before I took it in.

[flunkysama]

Originally Posted by devin1955

Do you know what the failure mode is when the IMA warning indicator light illuminates? Mine did the other day, followed by a Check Engine light. This all occured in the middle of what I think was the first re-calibration I've had since purchasing the vehicle used. It's at the dealer right now being looked at.

When the IMA light comes on, the problem can be in any part of the IMA system. Anything from a loose wire to a failed module to a bad battery.

Get the service manual, go to the IMA section, go through the diagnostic flowcharts. Most end with module replacement and include all the parts that make up the IMA subsystem.

Judging by posts to the this forum, the most common is a bad battery. But that in no way guarantees that your problem is a bad battery.

[Romir]

Thanks for posting this! I attached an alligator clip to one end of a thin wire and was able to read my CEL code (cat not working efficiently). This is a lot better than paying $50+ at a dealer or running by AutoZone.

[Insightful Trekker]

Just remember that the Honda "blink" codes do NOT have a direct OBDII equivalent. They'll put you in the ballpark but will make diagnosis more difficult.

With that said the IMA, EPS & ABS aren't OBDII so this _IS_ how to read those codes. But use caution. Mis connecting this jumper can cause blown fuses or worse.

HTH!