I modified the starter relay, IMA bypass

14333 Views 30 Replies 14 Participants Last post by Zekefab, 8 mo ago

tryingbe

Discussion Starter · Dec 8, 2017

I modify the starter relay so the car will always start on the 12v since I do not have an IMA battery anymore.

What a pain to get relay out!!! The relay is held by two plastic clips. I ended up using a flat head screw driver to pry at the base of the relay to get it out. What a pain.

I modified the relay by sorting the two pins together. Now my starter cranks immediately when I turn the key. :-D

1 - 20 of 31 Posts

TopFuelTim

· #2 · Feb 6, 2018

Where is the relay located?

Just wanted to ask which relay you are writing about? Picture maybe?

Thanks,
Tim

tryingbe

Discussion Starter · #3 · Feb 6, 2018

TopFuelTim said:
Just wanted to ask which relay you are writing about? Picture maybe?

Thanks,
Tim

Download
Honda-Insight-2000-2006.exe
http://www.insightcentral.net/forum...0-2006-insight-service-manual-pdf-others.html

Open
fuse_relay_boxes.pdf

The relay is #8 at the last picture.

fusion210

· #4 · Feb 6, 2018

As someone who hasn't bypassed their IMA but has started using the 12v battery, what was it like before? Is there a delay? I've only done it a few times but can't remember anything weird about it.

Atheos

· #5 · Feb 7, 2018

fusion210 said:
As someone who hasn't bypassed their IMA but has started using the 12v battery, what was it like before? Is there a delay? I've only done it a few times but can't remember anything weird about it.

There's a few second delay, but beware. Two of my Insights just stopped cranking altogether, and I HAD to bypass the relay.

Reactions: 1

TopFuelTim

· #6 · Feb 7, 2018

Thank you!

tryingbe said:
Download
Honda-Insight-2000-2006.exe
http://www.insightcentral.net/forum...0-2006-insight-service-manual-pdf-others.html

Open
fuse_relay_boxes.pdf

The relay is #8 at the last picture.

Thank you! I also found a little more information you posted that I remembered but couldn't find:

http://www.insightcentral.net/forum...how-completely-remove-your-ima-battery-7.html

I have a spare relay to experiment with, so will try it this weekend.

Tim

tryingbe

Discussion Starter · #7 · Feb 22, 2018

tryingbe said:
I modified the starter relay at the driver knee under the dash.

Remove the relay (not easy due to the plastic clips), then open the relay by prying it with small screw drivers, bend the metal and short contacts point. Re-install the relay cap, re-install the relay. I also labelled my relay to "SHORTED" just in case.

I don't recall I wrote this but I did.

TopFuelTim

· #8 · Mar 17, 2018

Different way to alter starter relay

I took a look at my starter relay, and tried wedging in the cut off end of a zip tie to close the starter circuit instead of bending anything. Worked great! Starts immediately now.

One note: it can start without depressing the clutch now.

Just my 0.02 worth,
Tim

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turbogizzmo

· #9 · Mar 17, 2018

So this is a alternative method to using battery circuit board to make it engine only?

TopFuelTim

· #10 · Mar 17, 2018

I think this thread will help you

turbogizzmo said:
So this is a alternative method to using battery circuit board to make it engine only?

All this thread covers is just the starter relay modification. Normally, it takes about five seconds before the car will start after removing the battery.

I think this thread will help explain another alternative to the battery circuit board.

http://www.insightcentral.net/forum...7-how-completely-remove-your-ima-battery.html

Just my 0.02 worth,
Tim

turbogizzmo

· #11 · Mar 19, 2018

TopFuelTim said:
All this thread covers is just the starter relay modification. Normally, it takes about five seconds before the car will start after removing the battery.

I think this thread will help explain another alternative to the battery circuit board.

http://www.insightcentral.net/forum...7-how-completely-remove-your-ima-battery.html

Just my 0.02 worth,
Tim

So this mod just helps with the delay it takes to use the starter ?

striider

· #12 · Mar 19, 2018

turbogizzmo said:
So this mod just helps with the delay it takes to use the starter ?

If you are referring to the relay mod, yes it removes the delay for the 12v starter to kick in.

apollos68

· #13 · Mar 21, 2018

Initial acceleration reduced

RE: 144V batt pack removal

? is there a reduced/lack of initial acceleration from start 'stationary to initial acceleration start? i am needing to know from 'insight owners with removed or disabled batt packs. i have been using my failed batt pack (yes im ima error coded) a bit on 1yr 2\3 (have a conditioner, and occassionally use it to balance cell voltage) i just continually resetting the 12V. (it's my preference currently)
te reason i'm asking, is upon 'ima,' error, (batt pack then defaults 12V.) there is a significant reduction in the stationary start acceleration, at least at start thru the 12-15 mph speed. i must project\anticipate\adjust distance (cross traffic intersectiins to compensate for the lack of acceleration. two questions:
1. do insight owners with failed packs experience similiarly?
2. will the disconnect alleviate this issue?
3.anyone know if the 'civic hybrid' (same years as gen1, electrical board connections are the same? (i have access to one, so i could utilize te necessary male \female connectors from the'civic hybrid,' if the same, (i don't see honda producing unique connectors for the hybrids) to make the necessary connections to change to the modded 12V.

like to hear of experiences.
t.y.
apollos

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tryingbe

Discussion Starter · #14 · Mar 21, 2018 (Edited)

apollos68 said:
there is a significant reduction in the stationary start acceleration, at least at start thru the 12-15 mph speed.

The IMA add a lot of torque at lower RPM to help the car move, 100% of the torque at instant feels great.

My car doesn't have IMA anymore and I keep my RPM between 2000rpm-4000rpm during acceleration. Anything below 2000 RPM is just for cruising because it takes forever to accelerate.

I don't have an IMA battery or computers anymore (saving 80+ lbs), my ECU will no longer use the engine power to try to charge the IMA battery, and I don't have any check engine light on (no limp home mode), so I would think my IMA-less insight would be slightly faster than an Insight with a non-functional IMA battery with check engine light on.

You will have to do your research or open your own thread for your other questions.

This thread is just for removing the starting delay when the IMA battery is removed from the Insight.

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Kmscastle

· #15 · Jun 8, 2018

I just bypassed my IMA and I now have the relay out but I see that there are 4 pins. Which pins need to be connected?

tryingbe

Discussion Starter · #16 · Jun 8, 2018 (Edited)

Kmscastle said:
I just bypassed my IMA and I now have the relay out but I see that there are 4 pins. Which pins need to be connected?

Take the relay apart, and you'll see two pins are connected via coil while the other two pins is normally OPENED. You want to make those two pins normally CLOSED (have physical contact) however you can.

apollos68

· #17 · Jul 14, 2018

question:'top fuel tim' re:image
image is blurred a bit...but is that 'white rectangle,' the 'weged in zip tie?

I took a look at my starter relay, and tried wedging in the cut off end of a zip tie to close the starter circuit instead of bending anything. Worked great! Starts immediately now.

tryingbe

Discussion Starter · #18 · Jul 16, 2018

apollos68 said:
question:'top fuel tim' re:image
image is blurred a bit...but is that 'white rectangle,' the 'weged in zip tie?

Take the relay apart, and you'll see two pins are connected via coil while the other two pins is normally OPENED. You want to make those two pins normally CLOSED (have physical contact) however you can.

I've done it by physically bending the contact, TopFuelTim done it by putting putting a ziptie to get the metal to contact.

Ecky

· #19 · Jul 16, 2018

Could one not just take a wire with two spade terminals and plug them in where the relay was, rather than gutting the relay?

tryingbe

Discussion Starter · #20 · Jul 16, 2018

Ecky said:
Could one not just take a wire with two spade terminals and plug them in where the relay was, rather than gutting the relay?

You can use whatever method you choose to connect the two wires.

I prefer to gut the relay and put a label the relay to state the relay is modified.

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