IMA battery needs replacing

[Anna]

I’ve really enjoyed driving my 2000 Insight for the past 5 years. The battery was replaced under warranty at 98,000 miles. About 2 months ago, now at about 116,000 miles the IMA light came on again. The Honda dealer told me it would cost over 6K to fix it. A few days later the car failed to start after the battery and brake lights came on. I’ve let the car sit since then because of time/money constraints.

I would like some advise on how to proceed. I am being told by family to sell it as is. I do not know anything about cars so I leaning in that direction. I looked on the HBR website and it looks like a reasonable alternative to buy a brand new battery. Is anyone on this forum from the Chicagoland area who would be willing to assist or know of someone who would?

Anna

[Eli]

Don't sell it!

Man, dealers make me SO ANGRY! Six thousand dollars to replace the IMA battery is just pure insanity, even for a dealership! People need to realize that dealerships are very unscrupulous when it comes to their pricing. They essentially take the part's MSRP and tack on some arbitrary number, whatever the sales clerk is feeling like at the moment. That is pure profit for them, and the damn sales person gets a cut. That's why every dealership you call will give you a different number. It's ridiculous.

The Insight is an amazing automobile, as you're well aware. I firmly believe that they will become collectors items one day, and Jay Leno agrees, so that's good enough for me. If you're not aware, Jay is a huge car aficionado and collector.

Anyway.. I recommend you buy a BetterBattery. At ~$2000 shipped, it is a spectacular deal. It is just simply a better battery. It's more robust, higher capacity and the performance increase is noticeable. We're also hoping that it will significantly outlast the OEM battery due to its overall robustness, but only time will tell. It has only been on the market for 4 months, but does carry a 2 year warranty.

I think we have knowledgeable people here in the Chicagoland area. Can we please get someone to volunteer to help her out?

I am sure you can find a shop that would be willing to do the work for you though. Though this seems to be somewhat of a problem based on another thread where someone is going through the same thing.

[Waynetc]

If it were me I would first wonder if the 12V battery under the hood were old and needed replacing. You can get one of these at an auto parts store, Sears or Walmart for the Gen1 Insight. I would also suggest having someone take a look at the ground straps (again under the hood) and replace them, $12.00 each. Once the 12V battery is disconnected the IMA light will reset.

This may not fix the car but for under 100.00 it is worth a shot.

The other thing to do if you decide to replace the 12V battery is have the parts store read the code(s) that the IMA light gave. The connector is on the passenger side of the console. There are many codes that pop that indicate that a cell is weak. You may be able to drive the car like this for a long time.

Many of us have weak batteries and are getting a grid charger from Mike Dabrowski (99mog.com) rather than spending thousands to keep our cars going.

Good Luck & I agree - if you like the car do not sell it.
Wayne

[chisight]

I'm in Chicagoland and sent you a private message. (look upper right)

Chisight