2000 Insight, Can I fix myself?

alevin16 · 11-17-2012, 04:20 PM

Hello All

I have a 2000 Insight 5 speed which I love. Well the dreaded IMA light came on and I am being told it will cost 3800 for a new battery pack. I found Re Involt by surfing and they say they can sell me a new pack for 1900. Two questions: 1. Can I put in the new pack myself (I have no clue how heavy it is or how difficult all the plugs are) and 2. Is it worth it for a 12 year old car. Even though I love the car at some point it becomes a money pit.

Any advice?

Thanks!

3-Wheeler · 11-17-2012, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alevin16

....1. Can I put in the new pack myself (I have no clue how heavy it is or how difficult all the plugs are) and 2. Is it worth it for a 12 year old car.

Hi,

Answer to question (1) depends on badly you want to fix the battery yourself.

Take a look at the links below. They show how to get the battery out of the car, add a trickle charge cable, which you would need, and how to fix the battery once it is out.

The battery weight is 70 lbs, and I got it out myself. Just be careful when lifting it out and putting it back.

Picasa Web Albums - Jim - Battery Trick...

https://picasaweb.google.com/threewh...ryRefurbishing

Hope this helps.

Jim.

**freezin4** · 11-17-2012, 05:52 PM

Budget about $2000 or so for the new battery.

Replacement is a few hours labor.

Insights are well made. They have been known to drive past 500k miles without any fuss. I have 252k miles on mine and it runs the way it did a 100,000 miles ago without asking for much.

The usual issues besides the battery are: transmission input shaft bearing, and synchros, sway bar links, cat converters, EGR valve/plate clog, trip meter switches, couple of rain leaks, expensive spark plugs, motor mounts, grounding straps and a few other relatively minor and predictable issues. Mostly wear and maintenance items, and not equipment failure due to poor engineering as in some other makes.

It's a personal decision, but all of these items are cheaper to overcome than getting into a new car. Are the new convenience and safety features, and the hit in fuel economy worth the expense for you?

How many miles are on your car? Where are you located?

alevin16 · 11-17-2012, 06:03 PM

Those are great picture. It makes me think I can do it. Where would I get that trickle charge cable?

alevin16 · 11-17-2012, 06:10 PM

THank you for the reply. It is funny you mentioned synchros, I have a problem with them and the mechanic said to just let it go (I was not sure if that was a good answer or not).

I am in Florida so snow is not an issue and I have about 168,000 on the car.

I always heard Hondas are well made I did not know they were that good. You bring up a great point that it may in fact be better to invest in the car if it can really go to 2,3,or 500,000 (gas alone would make that worth it). Although I like bigger car safety features (either my car is small or my cloaking device is on

)

I may give it a shot in fixing it myself, but I am going to do more research (do you have any advice on fixing it myself?)

Thanks again!

Quote:

Originally Posted by freezin4

Budget about $2000 or so for the new battery.

Replacement is a few hours labor.

Insights are well made. They have been known to drive past 500k miles without any fuss. I have 252k miles on mine and it runs the way it did a 100,000 miles ago without asking for much.

The usual issues besides the battery are: transmission input shaft bearing, and synchros, sway bar links, cat converters, EGR valve/plate clog, trip meter switches, couple of rain leaks, expensive spark plugs, motor mounts, grounding straps and a few other relatively minor and predictable issues. Mostly wear and maintenance items, and not equipment failure due to poor engineering as in some other makes.

It's a personal decision, but all of these items are cheaper to overcome than getting into a new car. Are the new convenience and safety features, and the hit in fuel economy worth the expense for you?

How many miles are on your car? Where are you located?

**freezin4** · 11-17-2012, 06:11 PM

I have been present for a battery harness install which included the battery removal, and I wouldn't recommend it for the layperson.

You can buy the harness and charger on 99mpg.com from Mike Dabrowski.

You will hear various degrees of disagreements from others, but the bottom line is that High Voltage can kill you. Proceed at your own risk after you sign the liability waiver forms.

**freezin4** · 11-17-2012, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alevin16

I am in Florida so snow is not an issue and I have about 168,000 on the car.

I always heard Hondas are well made I did not know they were that good. You bring up a great point that it may in fact be better to invest in the car if it can really go to 2,3,or 500,000 (gas alone would make that worth it). Although I like bigger car safety features (either my car is small or my cloaking device is on

)

I may give it a shot in fixing it myself, but I am going to do more research (do you have any advice on fixing it myself?)

These little cars were made alongside the Acura NSX. Very well engineered, probably better than a typical Civic.

I would try to get together with some other Florida owners and join forces to get sort out the battery issue. You may be able to get away with the harness install and a charger purchase and revitalize your current battery. I would consult Eli, or Mike D. among others after you have pulled the codes from the OBDII reader.

alevin16 · 11-17-2012, 06:51 PM

Is it easy to get in touch with them? Being new to the board I do not know how exactly to get in touch with them. The code according to the Honda dealer was P1447 (If that is the code you are talking about)

A big thanks again! I was starting to think I might have to give up the little girl

Quote:

Originally Posted by freezin4

These little cars were made alongside the Acura NSX. Very well engineered, probably better than a typical Civic.

I would try to get together with some other Florida owners and join forces to get sort out the battery issue. You may be able to get away with the harness install and a charger purchase and revitalize your current battery. I would consult Eli, or Mike D. among others after you have pulled the codes from the OBDII reader.

alevin16 · 11-17-2012, 06:57 PM

I am sorry, I did not see this post when I asked how to get in touch with Mike D. I just went to 99mpg.com and left him a msg. Hopefully the charger will work but I will watch for the high voltage. If it sounds too scary I will bite the bullet and have the dealer do it (my life is not worth trying to save a grand)

Quote:

Originally Posted by freezin4

I have been present for a battery harness install which included the battery removal, and I wouldn't recommend it for the layperson.

You can buy the harness and charger on 99mpg.com from Mike Dabrowski.

You will hear various degrees of disagreements from others, but the bottom line is that High Voltage can kill you. Proceed at your own risk after you sign the liability waiver forms.

**Rainsux** · 11-17-2012, 07:55 PM

You can easily R & R the battery yourself. It is not scary when you follow one of the many sets of available instructions. And a dealer is not going to install a charger harness for you. You will have to do this yourself or find an independent mechanic. If you add your location to your profile you might find a helpful Insight owner close by.

Sam