[preilly]

I have a 2001 Insight with 177k. Had the battery replaced under warranty at 145k.

Several months ago the battery (with the IMA light on and no assist - I had been driving it that way for several weeks) died while driving. I had the car towed to a nearby Honda dealer. Called the dealer the next day and he said the car started, the IMA light was not on, and it was charging perfectly. He didn't charge me for anything because he didn't do anything to it.
Drove it for several months with no problem. (the IMA light stayed off and it charged and assisted fine).

A few weeks ago the IMA light came on again. I took it to the same Honda dealer who said I needed a new battery. I wasn't ready to shell out the cash so I continued to drive it. This weekend it died the same way as it did the first time. I left the car parked on a side street. The next morning when I returned to the car, it started up and ran fine. (The IMA light is off again and it is running well, charging, and assisting again.)

I am really confused. IMA light come on. Drives for weeks with no assist. Dies unexpectedly. Comes back on its own.

What the heck is going on?

 

[Hybrid-Battery-Repair]

I have a 2001 Insight with 177k. Had the battery replaced under warranty at 145k.

Several months ago the battery (with the IMA light on and no assist - I had been driving it that way for several weeks) died while driving. I had the car towed to a nearby Honda dealer. Called the dealer the next day and he said the car started, the IMA light was not on, and it was charging perfectly. He didn't charge me for anything because he didn't do anything to it.
Drove it for several months with no problem. (the IMA light stayed off and it charged and assisted fine).

A few weeks ago the IMA light came on again. I took it to the same Honda dealer who said I needed a new battery. I wasn't ready to shell out the cash so I continued to drive it. This weekend it died the same way as it did the first time. I left the car parked on a side street. The next morning when I returned to the car, it started up and ran fine. (The IMA light is off again and it is running well, charging, and assisting again.)

I am really confused. IMA light come on. Drives for weeks with no assist. Dies unexpectedly. Comes back on its own.

What the heck is going on?

I presume the dealer told you that you have a P1449 code. What is happening is that the battery is bad, so the car is shutting down the IMA system including charging of the 12V battery. Once you drive the 12V battery dead, the car forgets all of its' readings on the battery and starts up fresh like nothing is wrong. It takes a bit before it figures out that the battery has a problem and starts the whole process over again. The key is to look for the battery "idiot" light on the dash. If that is illuminated, you are halfway into a breakdown because the car is not charging the 12V battery.

Please stop going to the stealership. Autozone will read your codes for free and any mechanic can fix the car for less.