I just bought a 2001 insight, with 59,000 miles on it. I am trying to find out if the battery is charging properly, or do I have a potential problem. The charge and assist seem to be working as they should but the charge of the IMA batteries, in the week I have driven it, have not gone past the half way point on the gauge.My commute is over 70 miles round trip, almost all highway, and the battery will charge, just not past half way.Is this normal 0r should the IMA batteries take more of a charge than this. I have more questions, but I'll stop and see what answers I get to this.
Battery gauge never gets past half full
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Your problem may be that you are using more battery power than you are charging. Watch to make sure you aren't using the assist to much. When you approach a stop lightly touch the brake enough so as the system shows a full charge to the batteries. Try to not using assist as not so drain the batteries and see if they charge up fully.
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I agree with Resist's opinion that it sounds as though there isn't much chance to recharge the batteries.
Two points though:- if your 12V battery is failing then the IMA system will divert power to the 12V to try and keep it charged. How old is your 12V?
It may also be worth doing an IMA reset (disconnect the 12V battery for at least 5 seconds to clear down the memory) which may shake things up a bit for the better. HTH.
Two points though:- if your 12V battery is failing then the IMA system will divert power to the 12V to try and keep it charged. How old is your 12V?
It may also be worth doing an IMA reset (disconnect the 12V battery for at least 5 seconds to clear down the memory) which may shake things up a bit for the better. HTH.
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P.S. Don't forget the headlights on trick (creates more charging, can't remember why).
[Moved to Problems & Troubleshooting]
[Moved to Problems & Troubleshooting]
Try doing your normal highway commute but don't use 5th gear at all for 1 day.
Driving on the highway in 4th gear instead of 5th will use less assist and it should charge much more aggressively. Don't worry about the higher RPMs it's a Honda after all...
Try that for 1 day and let us know what happens.
Also check your tire pressures to make sure they are at least 40 psi.
Driving on the highway in 4th gear instead of 5th will use less assist and it should charge much more aggressively. Don't worry about the higher RPMs it's a Honda after all...
Try that for 1 day and let us know what happens.
Also check your tire pressures to make sure they are at least 40 psi.
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Test the 12V battery or swap in a known good unit.
KD,
for what it's worth... :? I too just recently bought my 2001 5spd. It as about the same miles as yours does. When I picked it up the battery meter was about 1/2. But ever since I started driving it, it always shows full or maybe 1-2 bars lower. I drive about 100 miles per day averaging around 65mph and mine stays full.
Last weekend I only drive in town (a/c off) and the lowest I saw was about 3 bars from the top. I wondering if I'm using enough assist? I do drive it easy and usually try to coast to a stop light and it shows about 4-5 bars on the re-charge with out using the brakes. If it just touch the brakes mine show full charging.
Just another persons experience. I'm certainly no where near an expert at this yet. But I'm having a great driving my Insight!
Blue-AZ
for what it's worth... :? I too just recently bought my 2001 5spd. It as about the same miles as yours does. When I picked it up the battery meter was about 1/2. But ever since I started driving it, it always shows full or maybe 1-2 bars lower. I drive about 100 miles per day averaging around 65mph and mine stays full.
Last weekend I only drive in town (a/c off) and the lowest I saw was about 3 bars from the top. I wondering if I'm using enough assist? I do drive it easy and usually try to coast to a stop light and it shows about 4-5 bars on the re-charge with out using the brakes. If it just touch the brakes mine show full charging.
Just another persons experience. I'm certainly no where near an expert at this yet. But I'm having a great driving my Insight!
Blue-AZ
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Use more assist if you want, but you'll also have to burn more gas at the same time (in general).Blue-AZ said:
And don't forget that all rechargeable batteries have a finite life. The more their cycled, especially through their full range E :arrow: F the shorter they'll last. But remember that Honda does add thermal and limits of charge usage to maximize their service life Sounds like your driving the Insight to its full design potential. Owner's who's driving style best matches the design concepts of the car they drive are generally the happiest in the long run...
HTH!
I finally got around to disconnecting the 12v battery, and on the first trip it appeared to reset. The battery dropped to no bars, It started charging, then within five miles it went to full. The car operated normally all the way to the house, the batteries never went below 3 or 4 bars from a full charge. The next morning however, I started it, all was good until a few miles into my commute, the battery guage once again dropped to nothing, then began charging from that point( Is this a" recal"? ) anyway it only charged to a little above half, and never went any higher again. My question is, are these early signs of IMA battery failure, and if so, at what piont will the dealer consider replacing a pack.
Thanks
Thanks
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A 12v battery disconnect causes an IMA reset and resulting forced charge (computer memories cleared, codes and learned parameters)
You are describing the classic recal events with near end of service life frequency. Honda's policy in the past has been that until the frequency is great enough to set an IMA battery failure code (the red IMA light won't time out after the engine is started or comes on while driving) then their still usable. Will they last another year, 10K miles :?: Hard to tell, sorry. You'll just have to wait.
I've been seeing something very similar in mine for two years now. Mine is temperature related. Now that cooler weather has settled in 'til next spring I'm expecting near new IMA recal behavior. When temps hit the mid 80's F I get a recal daily for my normal driving pattern. Temperature sensitivity is another indicator of rechargeable battery aging. Sorry, its just part of the hybrid experience.
See my old post for the whole story (Long, you've been warned :!: )
http://www.insightcentral.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=750
HTH!
You are describing the classic recal events with near end of service life frequency. Honda's policy in the past has been that until the frequency is great enough to set an IMA battery failure code (the red IMA light won't time out after the engine is started or comes on while driving) then their still usable. Will they last another year, 10K miles :?: Hard to tell, sorry. You'll just have to wait.
I've been seeing something very similar in mine for two years now. Mine is temperature related. Now that cooler weather has settled in 'til next spring I'm expecting near new IMA recal behavior. When temps hit the mid 80's F I get a recal daily for my normal driving pattern. Temperature sensitivity is another indicator of rechargeable battery aging. Sorry, its just part of the hybrid experience.
See my old post for the whole story
(Long, you've been warned :!: )http://www.insightcentral.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=750
HTH!
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Good point :!:
ALthough so far ground connection problems seem to be geographically limited to high snow areas and road salt, or seashore salt.
See:
Ground Cables Connection Mod
http://www.insightcentral.net/forum/vie ... php?t=3196
HTH!
ALthough so far ground connection problems seem to be geographically limited to high snow areas and road salt, or seashore salt.
See:
Ground Cables Connection Mod
http://www.insightcentral.net/forum/vie ... php?t=3196
HTH!
Well it seems as though I am seeing a recal every day. I drove about 400 miles round trip, all highway and had a full batt. when I reached the house. The next time I drove it the batteries were full when I left, within a couple miles they dropped to zero and began a forced charge. I guess I wait for it to get worse.Thanks for the advice and help.
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