Replacement HV pack time for me

rsouthern · 01-04-2013, 04:53 PM

All,

My HV pack has been exhibiting signs of age for about a year and it finally threw the P1447 code. This is the 2nd pack in the car, Honda replaced the original pack back in 2006 when they did the recall, I had 80K miles then, 135K miles now, so I'm annoyed that a "new" back in 2006 didn't last 10 years as the original warranty would imply. I called Honda America customer service and my dealer and complained and they have now offered to replace the pack for $1200 (splitting labor and parts) and are offering a 3 year warranty on the replacement. Sounds good to me, but I've been reading on this forum that Honda is rebuilding "new" packs with old sticks they have recycled from other packs... that worries me if it's true since the membrane in NiMH cells degrades with age, not cycles, so you're more likely to develop an internal short with an old cell and thus have sticks that become unbalanced and create the P1447 error again.

The question I have is, is there any proof that Honda is rebuilding packs since it seems that new cells should be available from Honda's suppliers for their other hybrid models. It's not like Honda wouldn't be able to get cells anymore. Of course I'll ask the dealer about this and the 3 year warranty will help, but I don't want the hassle of multiple replacements. Has anyone asked Honda America about this?

thanks

-Richard
MY2000 Insight 5sp

Willie Williford · 01-04-2013, 06:53 PM

Not to my knowledge, be the first and see if they will give that statement in writing.

WIllie

**Eli** · 01-06-2013, 09:37 AM

Their other hybrid models use sticks with the cells in different configurations.

But yes, that's why Honda replacement packs seem to only last 2-4 years. Some as little as 12-18 months.

FWIW, I recently had someone who works as an engineer at Honda buy a pack from me. They could have gotten a rebuilt pack deeply discounted, but didn't want to bother. That pretty much cemented it for me, but the general knowledge has been around for some time.

rsouthern · 01-10-2013, 07:37 PM

Well, the dealer confirmed that the pack is a reman (ufactured). If it was new it would have a 12 month/12000 warranty. The remn has a 3 year/36000 warranty. That sucks but hopefully it will last 3 years.

-Richard

**Eli** · 01-10-2013, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rsouthern

Well, the dealer confirmed that the pack is a reman (ufactured). If it was new it would have a 12 month/12000 warranty. The remn has a 3 year/36000 warranty. That sucks but hopefully it will last 3 years.

-Richard

Huh?!

That's a bit mind boggling, but OK.

I mean, obviously they're trying to help the customer in case the reman ends up being a lemon, which is noble, but that's still a really bizarre arrangement.

I certainly didn't know that's how it was working, so thanks for the information.

rsouthern · 01-17-2013, 06:57 PM

I think the "12/12" warranty is a moot point, as there are none available new. It seems that the Honda policy is new parts in general carry a 12 month/12 K miles warranty. Not sure if all re-manufactured parts from Honda cally the 3/36 warranty, but I sure wouldn't accept a remanufactured pack from Honda with any less than that.

Anyway, the replacement pack was ordered a few days ago by the dealer and it's in as of this morning, so next Tuesday they will replace the pack and I should be good for at least a few more years.

I have to say that all these battery problems are really souring me in the hybrid experience... so much so that I'm looking at TDI vehicles as the replacement for the Insight in the next year. I was thinking of a Volt, Caddy ELR or Lincoln MKZ but I'm really second guessing battery tech now. The Insight has been a very low cost car for the past 12 years, so I can't complain too much, but moving upscale a little means being a little less on the experimental side.

-Richard