Just wanted to share my experience:
2000 5 speed with 181,000 miles. (I bought it used with 160,000 miles at the end of December 2005.)
In the last month or so, I'd been getting more recals than usual (about twice per gas tank, so one every 300 miles). Last Thursday, I had what looked like a normal recal on the highway, but instead of recharging slowly, my battery level showed a full charge within a minute. The IMA light came on, and I had no charge/assist.
I took the car to the dealer on Friday (needed an oil change soon anyway). On the way to the dealer, the battery indicator light (12v) came on. My service advisor said he thought it might just need a new 12v. Unfortunately, I got a call from my service advisor at the end of the day, saying I need a new IMA battery and control units. (I have code P1449.) They quoted $6500 for the replacement.
My service advisor said I could pick my Insight up and bring it back to the dealer if I wanted to have them replace the IMA battery. He said I could try driving without the IMA. When I picked it up, the 12v battery indicator light was off. The next day, the 12v battery indicator came back on. A few minutes later, my stereo turned off, my dash lights flickered out and my Insight stopped running.
When Honda's customer service center opened on Monday, I gave them a call to see whether they would help me pay for the replacement. (I can't afford it myself, so if they can't help me, I'm afraid I'll have to sell my baby.) The rep I spoke with wrote down a lot of information about me and my Insight. He said he would give the information to a Honda good will representative who would talk with my service advisor and me to determine what Honda will do. He said I'd hear from Honda in 1 to 2 business days. (I am very impressed that Honda is even considering helping out with an IMA problem for a car that is out of warranty, especially since I am not the original owner.)
When I hear from Honda, I'll post an update.
My friend (not a mechanic) was with me when my baby died on the highway, and he said it looked like an alternator problem (obviously in addition to the IMA problem). I have since read a few posts on the forum about the 12 volt draining after the IMA dies, so I'm guessing that's what happened. Does anyone know if this causes an more permanent damage to the Insight, beyond the preexisting IMA problem?
I'm borrowing a Jeep Cherokee until I get my Insight sorted out. I miss everything about my car so much. Buying such a high mileage car with the original battery, I obviously knew this was coming at some point. I just didn't expect how easy it is to fall in love with these cars.
2000 5 speed with 181,000 miles. (I bought it used with 160,000 miles at the end of December 2005.)
In the last month or so, I'd been getting more recals than usual (about twice per gas tank, so one every 300 miles). Last Thursday, I had what looked like a normal recal on the highway, but instead of recharging slowly, my battery level showed a full charge within a minute. The IMA light came on, and I had no charge/assist.
I took the car to the dealer on Friday (needed an oil change soon anyway). On the way to the dealer, the battery indicator light (12v) came on. My service advisor said he thought it might just need a new 12v. Unfortunately, I got a call from my service advisor at the end of the day, saying I need a new IMA battery and control units. (I have code P1449.) They quoted $6500 for the replacement.
My service advisor said I could pick my Insight up and bring it back to the dealer if I wanted to have them replace the IMA battery. He said I could try driving without the IMA. When I picked it up, the 12v battery indicator light was off. The next day, the 12v battery indicator came back on. A few minutes later, my stereo turned off, my dash lights flickered out and my Insight stopped running.
When Honda's customer service center opened on Monday, I gave them a call to see whether they would help me pay for the replacement. (I can't afford it myself, so if they can't help me, I'm afraid I'll have to sell my baby.) The rep I spoke with wrote down a lot of information about me and my Insight. He said he would give the information to a Honda good will representative who would talk with my service advisor and me to determine what Honda will do. He said I'd hear from Honda in 1 to 2 business days. (I am very impressed that Honda is even considering helping out with an IMA problem for a car that is out of warranty, especially since I am not the original owner.)
When I hear from Honda, I'll post an update.
My friend (not a mechanic) was with me when my baby died on the highway, and he said it looked like an alternator problem (obviously in addition to the IMA problem). I have since read a few posts on the forum about the 12 volt draining after the IMA dies, so I'm guessing that's what happened. Does anyone know if this causes an more permanent damage to the Insight, beyond the preexisting IMA problem?
I'm borrowing a Jeep Cherokee until I get my Insight sorted out. I miss everything about my car so much. Buying such a high mileage car with the original battery, I obviously knew this was coming at some point. I just didn't expect how easy it is to fall in love with these cars.
