Question regarding commutation signal problem (Code p1565)

[Kenpo]

Hi all, I am thinking of purchasing an 03 insight with 109,xxx miles for 4,300 (good deal?), good part is Big battery in the back has been replaced and also comes with a back up one as well. The bad part is I was told it has a code of P1565, seller does not know how to fix it.

I did a little bit of research and by the looks of it I have to replace 1 or all 3 of the sensors inside the transmission (automatic). Is there a way to do this without pulling out tranny? How hard is it? and is it worth picking it up for this price? The car looks clean and only problem is the code. Do you guys think its connectors, wires, plugs???

WHere do I start to diagnose this problem? I'm new to this hybrid thing, but I have replaced honda B, D, K series transmission.

Any input would be great.

[Kenpo]

I also test drove the car and it ran great...Just check engine light on. Should I be worried about this code?

[racer26]

P1565 is a Motor Commutation Signal Problem. It has nothing to do with the transmission, except that the rotor exists between the transmission and the engine.

There are sensors that tell the MCM where the rotor is, if they don't follow the correct pattern, this code is thrown.

I would guess the most likely culprit is rodents nesting in the IPU have chewed through a wire to the MCM.

Does the hybrid functionality of the car still work and assist/regen as normal?

[Kenpo]

I drove the car and everything works, runs and drives great. What do you guys think, is this an easy fix? Is it worth purchasing the car and drive it like this for a while?

SO far my understanding is the problem is may be:
1. Sensors inside the tranny.
2. Wiring under the car?
3. Computer (kinda confused on this one MCM)

All these electrical problems seems so confusing. I am also a visual person, kinda hard for me to understand all these terms with out pics. I am gonna google these so I know how they actually look like. But if you guys have pics and know where they are located, please post them up. Thanks....

[racer26]

Buy the car. We can help you fix it.

The diagnostic procedure for that code is available in a pdf in one of the stickied posts on this forum.

Theres really only 3 possibilities, either the sensors are hosed (unlikely), a rodent chewed up a wire somewhere between the enginebay and the IPU, or the MCM is hosed (also unlikely).

[Kenpo]

So I found out most of all the computer crap is located in the back. InsightCentral.net - Encyclopedia - Honda Insight IMA Components

[Kenpo]

So most likely its just a wire in the engine bay/under car? I'm assuming this wire leads to mcm? what color is the wire? does it go under the car? Under the carpet?

Also the guy said he would give me extra battery and if he has the parts (unlikely) he would give it to me for 4300. Or I can have the car for 4,000 as is. What do you guys think?

[Kenpo]

I want to check the volts on the motor commutation sensor. It's the female plug that comes out the transmission? Can someone confirm this?

Does anyone know if there is a do it your self thread on this already with pics? I tried searching but did not see it.

[racer26]

As I mentioned before. Check the stickies for a group of pdfs under a title that includes 2000-2006. In that group of pdfs is a pdf about the ima system. In that pdf is a procedure for isolating that problem. It gives step by step instructions for how to determine the cause of the problem.

[Kenpo]

I did that I just want to confirm if its the one that comes out the tranny. It just says DTC P1565 motor commutation signal problem. Does not say where its located. So I'm assuming its the one that comes out the tranny, just wanted to confirm.