[Amandah]

I'm observing a strange thing in my 2001 Insight: when I run the CD Player there seems to be a substantial impact on my IMA battery charge -- similar thing happens when I run the air conditioner. Also happens if I attach my Smart Phone and run music off an App. Is this normal?

When I use the radio option everything is normal. Any thoughts?

Many thanks

 

[S Keith]

I'm observing a strange thing in my 2001 Insight: when I run the CD Player there seems to be a substantial impact on my IMA battery charge -- similar thing happens when I run the air conditioner. Also happens if I attach my Smart Phone and run music off an App. Is this normal?

When I use the radio option everything is normal. Any thoughts?

Many thanks

I can think of no reason this would happen. I suggest you methodically log and document this behavior to isolate it to a device as it could just as easily be coincidence associated with temperature/drive variation.

Does the car ever recalibrate?

 

[samwichse]

I would guess you have a weak 12v battery or bad grounds, and any 12v load is causing the DC-DC to run and charge aggressively.

 

[Amandah]

S Keith:

I'm not sure what you mean by "recalibrate." Does that mean when the IMA battery recharges after running low? If so, it recharges itself in a normal fashion through braking and downhill driving.

 

[Amandah]

samwichse:

Thanks! Yes, the 12 Volt was bad and my guy replaced that. Now he's wondering if it could be a computer fail, because it was still happening. It still has the original computer in it.

 

[mudder]

We need more data and background information. You mention the radio alone doesn't cause the observed behavior; using the CD player does cause the issue. A good IMA battery stores somewhere around 500Wh usable charge. The CD player consumes so little power in comparison (maybe 20 watts peak), that it would take dozens of hours with the engine off to notice any appreciable IMA battery drain.

FYI: The IMA battery is connected to the 12 volt system through the DCDC converter, which is located below the carpet in the trunk. The DCDC is disabled until the engine is started (i.e. turning the key to the 'ON' position doesn't enabled the DCDC, unless you first turn the key to the 'START' position). Once the car has been started, the DCDC remains enabled, even if the engine goes into autostop. However, the MCM (IMA computer) can disable the DCDC completely whenever it wants, and the ECM (engine computer) can set the voltage to either ~12 V or ~14V (the ECM cannot disable the DCDC) whenever it wants.

 

[Amandah]

Interesting. I just learned a lot, but it's still a bit over my head. I'll show what you wrote to my mechanic tomorrow and maybe he can delve into it. Many thanks!!!

 

[ackattacker]

It is highly likely your problem is the ground connections. There are 3 to worry about... from the battery to the frame, and 2 from the engine to the frame. They are located on the driver's side of the engine compartment near the engine mount. They are a common failure point, engine vibration and corrosion takes it's toll, and cause all sorts of bizarre symptoms.

 

[Rainsux]

S Keith:

I'm not sure what you mean by "recalibrate." Does that mean when the IMA battery recharges after running low? If so, it recharges itself in a normal fashion through braking and downhill driving.

No, "recalibrate" is when the SOC rapidly drops to zero and then charges at 4 bars until it reaches the top. You lose Assist when it's near the bottom.

Sam

 

[Amandah]

Thank you, Sam! I didn't realize that the indicator was called SOC.

 

[Amandah]

UPDATE: Problem fixed!

Turned out that "samwichse" was correct and the CD Player issue was related to the 12 Volt battery. I was mistaken when I thought that it was still happening after the 12 Volt replacement -- I had an unrelated issue with the EMC that was causing the IMA to drain and the IMA light to come on, but a coincident in timing made me think that the CD player was still causing the problem after the 12 Volt replacement.

I now have a new 12 Volt and EMC and everything is golden. Many thanks for your help! It helped us sort the problem out

 

[Rainsux]

Thank you, Sam! I didn't realize that the indicator was called SOC.

It's State Of Charge. Sorry I abbreviated.

Sam