Immobilizer

Viridescence · 02-06-2012, 10:34 AM

2000 manual insight. - Milton Keynes UK

seemingly experiencing a catalogue of possibly unrelated problems here - the IMA light came on after a forced acceleration but then cleared after reconnecting the 12V battery. The IMA battery readings fluctuated too rapidly to be real but then all settled down, then the car refused to start after a sharp frost but kicked in on third attempt. Another week later after a few faultless long drives the car refused to start again. After swapping 12V batteries the IMA battery level dropped to zero and now the immobiliser light flashes.

Could it just be a bad connector ? The weather is decidedly damp at the moment. At first I assumed the 12V starter was at fault due to never being used before so I considered bump starting it but I'm now concentrating on the immobiliser. Neither key works ( one was stored and never previously used ).

anyone with a similar experience.

talonmike · 02-06-2012, 10:37 AM

Check the 2 grounds, between transmission and frame, the battery ground to firewall, and mayby the battery positive wire.

When it is cold, it is starting with the conventional starer, and it needs a lot of amps.

**AClewell** · 02-06-2012, 10:39 AM

When the key is in the run position does the imoblizer ( green key ) lamp flash? If so I believe that indicates that the car does not recognize the key.

Viridescence · 02-06-2012, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AClewell

When the key is in the run position does the imoblizer ( green key ) lamp flash? If so I believe that indicates that the car does not recognize the key.

Thanks for that - yes it does flash but I can't understand why it has suddenly stopped recognising both keys. A previous member had the same problem but it cleared itself after some cleaning of contacts - possibly.

Viridescence · 02-08-2012, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AClewell

When the key is in the run position does the imoblizer ( green key ) lamp flash? If so I believe that indicates that the car does not recognize the key.

Honda have concluded so far that the immobilizer has failed - replacement cost £175.00. Not much I can do to assess the IMA charging, grounding etc until the car's running again so I hope they're right.

Willie Williford · 02-08-2012, 01:32 PM

I believe you have the first one to "fail".
I can't remember here at ICN if I have heard of that.
Have they tried to "reboot" the key. (Only done by the dealers when a new key is sold.)
175 pounds?= ? US dollars?
HTH
Willie

Viridescence · 02-08-2012, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Willie Williford

I believe you have the first one to "fail".
I can't remember here at ICN if I have heard of that.
Have they tried to "reboot" the key. (Only done by the dealers when a new key is sold.)
175 pounds?= ? US dollars?
HTH
Willie

Well I'm hoping they're right and it fixes the problem - rather than the immobilizer failing due to some other fault that also kills the replacement. £175 is about $270.00

Viridescence · 02-09-2012, 07:19 AM

New immobilizer fitted and back on the road again

talonmike · 02-09-2012, 10:58 AM

What is a new imobilizer? Immobilizer is part of the ECU. They replace the sensor around the key?

Viridescence · 02-09-2012, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by talonmike

What is a new imobilizer? Immobilizer is part of the ECU. They replace the sensor around the key?

Good question - I believe it's part number PFKL571583 which is shown :
2001 HONDA INSIGHT DX COMBINATION SWITCH - Original Honda Parts | Lings Honda | Honda Cars

but I can't tell where it is. Price I paid included diagnosis and labour.