Bad IMA AGAIN...

Mikie 12 · 03-12-2010, 07:09 PM

I have (about NOT to have) an immaculate '02 Insight; the paint shiny like new-hell the seats don't even show any wear.

She has 175K, and the IMA battery, and cat was replaced a little over 2 years ago by Honda-for free. Now I'm back at the dealer 45K miles later with the same problem.

My problem is in my opinion; my car is totaled. according to Edmond’s, my car is worth about $4800. at best, and the repairs will be in the near $4000. Add to that, I had to have the head gasket replaced last year ($1600.)

The bottom line is the bottom line here, I can sell it to the wreakers for parts and scrape, I can donate it for whatever tax write off I could get, or try Ron the repair guy. I talked to Ron on the phone a little while ago-a real nice guy for sure-is he for real. Have any of you used his services before?

I would value your opinions and/or advise.

Sign me full of bad luck and pissed-off about it...http://www.insightcentral.net/forums...cons/icon8.gif

joecvt · 03-12-2010, 08:10 PM

There are several posts like this asking for opinions of Ron's service and here is another....You should try the search function but if you can not find it in a search, I have been reading this forum for many years now and have not heard of any complaints of Ron's service.

JoeCVT = Just your average CVT owner

RobertSmalls · 03-12-2010, 09:26 PM

Parts and scrap? Nonsense. You could definately sell it as-is to someone who wants to fix it, or have it fixed for <$1500.

However, if your car is getting too old for you and is starting to require major repair after major repair, I wouldn't blame you for moving on into something less expensive to operate. 175000 mi is a lot for any car, and it may be uneconomical for someone who doesn't do his own mechanical repair.

Mikie 12 · 03-12-2010, 10:34 PM

No, this car runs great, and for a Honda, 175K is bearly broke-in. I'm not kidding, except for some parking lot damage to the right rear quarter panel-it looks like NEW inside and out. Even the service manager commented that my car was so clean under the hood and body.

After the dealer replaced the head gasket, I'd like to get a few more years use out of it. I don't want to scrap this car, but I'm looking at dollars and cents (sense) here.

I'm just sick about it.

Thanks, M.

Willie Williford · 03-12-2010, 11:52 PM

Learn to drive without the use of IMA as some of us have done. It's not that bad. You just have to let the engine work a little harder, and rev a little more.

Willie

Mikie 12 · 03-13-2010, 02:08 PM

The dealer says they pulled a P1568, and P1449. Is this isolated to the battery or is there other problems.
I'm seriously considering going to Ron.
Any info on the codes, and/or opinions about a battery rebuild would be appreciated.
About running it w/o the IMA-well what's the point then (unless I missed something)-why not get get a regular non highbred???
Thanks, M.

**MN Driver** · 03-13-2010, 02:55 PM

P1449 and P1568 are both related to the high voltage IMA battery.
You are correct, running it without the IMA would be losing key advantages to the having the hybrid features of the Insight such as regenerative braking, assist, and autostop, which all contribute to better MPG and performance.

Without it you would have less power and require more engine revs for the same performance to a point, and without regenerative braking or autostop it would take a hit with MPG. Due to the cars great aerodynamics and lightweight it will still get better MPGs than pretty much everything else out there though so it would be better than another similar small car in pretty much every way except for it might be a little slower to get going.

I think you might be more satisfied with the car to keep its hybrid parts operating as designed, I'd fix mine if there was an issue with it. Ron backs his work with a warranty and has plenty of customers, if I were to need to turn to somebody for help with my IMA pack, I would go to him.

darwin9x · 03-13-2010, 10:06 PM

I have 180,000 miles on my 2000 Insight. I also had the battery replaced, {FOR FREE} about 4 years ago. At the time I had 149,000 miles on my IMA. So the new battery only lasted 40,000 miles (that's criminal)

I'm having the same problem with my IMA. The light came on, had Advance Auto pull the code P1447, P0134 and P1163.

P1447 - battery degradation

P0134 and P1163 - O2 sensor issue ( Bank one, Sensor one)
I fixed this issue by popping the hood and reaching down to the bottom of the cat and tighten the sensor, it was almost falling out. {Does that often happen???}

I’m going to contact Ron or rip everything out and convert to a fully electric. My wife was driving it to and from work, about 4 miles a day. Even running it without IMA would be an acceptable option at this time.

**TRI** · 03-14-2010, 04:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mikie 12

...and the repairs will be in the near $4000.

IMA battery = $4000?

Or are there any other things that get replaced?

$1600 for a head gasket seems to be excessively high.

RobertSmalls · 03-14-2010, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TRI

$1600 for a head gasket seems to be excessively high.

My thoughts as well, so I looked up the procedure in the service manual. You have to unhook the timing chain, intake manifold, one motor mount, and a dozen wire harnesses, which really isn't that hard. $600 is about right for a head gasket job at a the dealership, where labor rates are very high. Hopefully, they found some other work they felt was necessary while they were in there.