[shinehahs]

I have 2000 model with 218K miles. Just got new brakes last year. Love it. I have driven it with care and maintained it well, but there are some big hills that I go over every day. Recently my IMA light came on and check engine, battery assist not working. And downshifting into 2nd started making a grinding sound. I have read people's posts about these issues.

I have read that it's possible to continue running on just the gas engine, and have been doing so for 2 months, but I see the charge going down on the battery pack. The instructions have varied on this site on how to switch over to just relying on gas, and I have been told by my mechanic and battery replacement folks that it is not possible and that it is also illegal for them to do so (in California) because they would be tampering with the system that affects emissions and they would jeopardize their smog check certification.

1. Is it possible and exactly how?
2. Is it worth buying new replacement battery pack (2nd party quoted me $2700)? I'm wondering, because it's such a special and well-made car, if it will last much longer.

5 years ago, I decided that I will not replace this car until one comes out with better gas mileage. I don't see that yet, but it's time to make a decision before my charge runs out. At this rate, I might have another month.

 

[Willie Williford]

Buy a 12V charger and charge the battery ever so often.
Don't drive with a heavy load on the 12V battery,
Don't drive at night.
Check the battery suppliers here at ICN for the IMA battery cost.

PLEASE include your location in your profile, not just California. There are probably INSIGHTERS close by that can assist.

HTH
Willie

 

[KLR3CYL]

I have 2000 model with 218K miles. Just got new brakes last year. Love it. I have driven it with care and maintained it well, but there are some big hills that I go over every day. Recently my IMA light came on and check engine, battery assist not working. And downshifting into 2nd started making a grinding sound. I have read people's posts about these issues.

I have read that it's possible to continue running on just the gas engine, and have been doing so for 2 months, but I see the charge going down on the battery pack. The instructions have varied on this site on how to switch over to just relying on gas, and I have been told by my mechanic and battery replacement folks that it is not possible and that it is also illegal for them to do so (in California) because they would be tampering with the system that affects emissions and they would jeopardize their smog check certification.

1. Is it possible and exactly how?
2. Is it worth buying new replacement battery pack (2nd party quoted me $2700)? I'm wondering, because it's such a special and well-made car, if it will last much longer.

5 years ago, I decided that I will not replace this car until one comes out with better gas mileage. I don't see that yet, but it's time to make a decision before my charge runs out. At this rate, I might have another month.

#1 can not answer accurately with out knowing codes and being able to determine properly.

#2 there are several different suppliers of the after market 8 amp hour sticks that are owner/enthusiasts that offer the batteries for a more reasonable price than what you have quoted above.

#3 If you fix what you have and it's a few thousand dollars and you could drive the car for another 5 years, then a few thousand might not even be a down payment on something new.

California is a big place and if you would be more specific there are a number of forum members that might be able to help you or live in the area.

HTH,
Scott

 

[shinehahs]

Thanks Scott and Willie!

I'm in Santa Cruz, CA.

#1. Codes are: P1447-Battery Module Deterioration & P1449- Battery Module Overheat

 

[jeff652]

I have 2000 model with 218K miles. Just got new brakes last year. Love it. I have driven it with care and maintained it well, but there are some big hills that I go over every day. Recently my IMA light came on and check engine, battery assist not working. And downshifting into 2nd started making a grinding sound. I have read people's posts about these issues.

I have read that it's possible to continue running on just the gas engine, and have been doing so for 2 months, but I see the charge going down on the battery pack. The instructions have varied on this site on how to switch over to just relying on gas, and I have been told by my mechanic and battery replacement folks that it is not possible and that it is also illegal for them to do so (in California) because they would be tampering with the system that affects emissions and they would jeopardize their smog check certification.

1. Is it possible and exactly how?
2. Is it worth buying new replacement battery pack (2nd party quoted me $2700)? I'm wondering, because it's such a special and well-made car, if it will last much longer.

5 years ago, I decided that I will not replace this car until one comes out with better gas mileage. I don't see that yet, but it's time to make a decision before my charge runs out. At this rate, I might have another month.

I live in San Jose. Where are you located? You can drive forever in CA by following these simple easy instructions (remember, we Insights are smog exempt in CA):
Hybrid Automotive - Honda Insight (2000-2006) Battery Bypass Instructions

The cheapest option to keep your car running as it was intended (full gas & electric functionality) would be a grid charger, you can read about what those are here:
Grid Chargers - Hybrid Automotive - Honda Insight & Civic Hybrid
Note: You don't have to get one from me - you can also build your own or buy one of Mike's very nice chargers (if they are still available)

If/When you do decide to replace the IMA battery, get a better than OEM brand new 8.0 amp hour one here:
Bumblebee Batteries | Honda Hybrid Batteries | Honda IMA Products | Hybrid Batteries

 

[jeff652]

Thanks Scott and Willie!

I'm in Santa Cruz, CA.

#1. Codes are: P1447-Battery Module Deterioration & P1449- Battery Module Overheat

Oh you are real close Do you know Tim Sculley?
Tim's Auto Electric Specialist - Santa Cruz, CA

He has my chargers on his personal Honda's and a couple customer cars as well.

 

[shinehahs]

Thanks for those good links, Jeff. I especially like the photos of how to do it, since I'm new to this sort of stuff.

I don't know Tim, I'll give him a call.

This is such an excellent forum!

Thank you! When I first saw the Insight come out I thought that was my dream car, but couldn't afford one until I got a used one for $7,000 at 30K in 2002. How many people are lucky enough to affordably own their dream car! Sounds like I can drive it longer than I thought I could.

-Shina

 

[shinehahs]

If I follow the battery bypass directions by turning off the switch and unplugging the BCM, will my 12V battery automatically be recharged while driving, or will I need to charge it occasionally?

Thanks
Shina

 

[jeff652]

If I follow the battery bypass directions by turning off the switch and unplugging the BCM, will my 12V battery automatically be recharged while driving, or will I need to charge it occasionally?

Thanks
Shina

It will self charge. If you follow that process you can drive the car indefinitely without having to charge the 12v battery

 

[shinehahs]

Awesome!

Tools required listed voltmeter, but the instructions don't mention using it. Is it required, and when?

Now I'm wondering if I should wait until I use up the charge of what's left in the battery pack, or just do it now...

I'll also look into chargers and replacement batteries, but now at least I know I'm not going to get stranded

 

[jeff652]

Awesome!

Tools required listed voltmeter, but the instructions don't mention using it. Is it required, and when?

Now I'm wondering if I should wait until I use up the charge of what's left in the battery pack, or just do it now...

I'll also look into chargers and replacement batteries, but now at least I know I'm not going to get stranded

Do it now. Don't wait. You are going to suddenly end up stranded on the side of the road if you wait. Happened to me once when driving home from SF late in the evening. Not fun.

You don't need the meter, just wait 5-10 min after turning the breaker off before sticking your hands in there.

If you do decide to get a charger and rehab the current pack, the longer you wait to bypass it the more damage you are inflicting by not bypassing a badly imbalanced battery.

 

[Willie Williford]

A lot of reading is needed here at ICN grasshopper.

(Owned the car for 5 years?)

 

[shinehahs]

Great, thanks Jeff!

Willie, I've owned it for 11 years.

 

[Willie Williford]

What took you so long to come to the FAMILY?

 

[Blue-Civic-Hybrid]

Hopefully forever!!

Well I got my Insight when she had 74k on her and now she has over 150k!!! That was about 2 years ago!!

I hope I can make her last to at least 250k before I have to do some drastic repair work like a tranny change or battery pack swap.

 

[4legsgood]

I've been running my 2001 batteryless for 1.5 years now

Hey!

I followed the instructions on disconnecting the battery/BCM when I was at 249k miles, and I'm now at 285k about 18 months later. I haven't been much of an Insight tinkerer, so I think it's definitely doable...

It takes a little getting used to, but eventually you do, and I even tackle one huge hill successfully every day on my commute (though sometimes I drop down to 40MPH and have to double clutch shift to 2nd to make it).

All in all, the car has pretty much worked perfectly. The 12V battery has died once, and I had to charge it, but that's about it. Bottom line is you can get a lot more use out of the car, so definitely consider it! It still gets better mileage than our 2009 Prius most of the time.

I'm now itching to get that battery working again, though...

Good luck!

David

 

[E-tronika]

340,000 miles on my Insight.

Insights last a long time!
I just bought a new 2003 grey insight for $1500 with an almost new IMA OEM battery, but had a broken cvt tranny, I took a chance anyways...

Before i bought it, The car had ran 335,000 miles before a brand new IMA needed to be changed. The previous owner bought a new ima battery and then the tranny broke a week after. Then the insight sat broken down for two years in the sun beating down on it. Honda quoted him $3400 to fix tranny so he never fixed it.

When I bought it, I changed a new12v battery from WalMart, added new oil, and the car started right up! I tried shifting into al gears but nothing happened when I stepped on gas, so i figured tranny was broken. I called at least 7 different places and every place wanted $3000-$4000 to rebuild cvt but I finally had my CVT tranny rebuilt in El Monte, CA for only $1800 and they finished it in 3 days, I've been driving it to and from work now for a month and I love it! I can recommend them to you guys. I average 50mpg city driving

I love this forum and thanks to all you Insighters, Been reading this forum religiously... just bought grid charger which will be installed soon, from a fellow insighter and waiting for Mikes new Mima2 and any other upgrades...

 

[KLR3CYL]

Which shop in El Monte ?

Thanks,
Scott

 

[Willie Williford]

There is nothing wrong with including your location in your profile. Not just OC.

There is also a std. policy with most INSIGHTERS, to post the location of where you had any repairs done on the Insight, either good or bad in the body of your message.

Transmission repairs on the CVT other than the dealers, are hard to find.

HTH
Willie

 

[diamondlarry]

There is nothing wrong with including your location in your profile. No just OC.



HTH
Willie

Maybe they don't care to be any more specific than just their county?