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Bought a used 2011 Honda Insight base model DX i guess in 2016 from a relative for $10,000.00 cash. The car has been an absolute champ, great gas mileage, peppy, well peppier than I expected, stereo sux but I'll change that, no dashboard lights NO Problems , my friends say my car is gay, I tell them "would you not love your own child if they were homosexual?" THEM: "well no " ME: "exactly so shut up, I do love this car as if it were my kin I spend 20 a week on gas and I can get brand new tires for $40" Got up to about 120,000 miles and wife insisted we take it to the local Honda dealership just to get a thorough and "trusted" inspection. To my surprise they gave it a clean bill of health but did note that the spark plugs should be about due for replacement considering the mileage. No problem I ordered some they weren't bottom of the barrel but not the recommended NGK Premium $50 a piece plugs either. Changed out the front four with ease and then saw that manifold blocking the back 4 and decided not to proceed with changing the others because I lack the skills and the patience so I buttoned it up and called it good for now. Fuel mileage increased slightly and it ran better than ever. July 2022 I hear a disoncerning noise from engine bay while driving , I took it to a local shop with excellent ratings. The noise was only a piece of that plastic that covers the bottom of the car AND GETS CAUGHT ON ANYTHING OVER 2" tall and rips and tears more every time!!! but they also mentioned spark plug replacement, I had COVID at the time and my Iranian wife had to interface with the car shop and for $800 they replaced the 3 week old plugs and the dreaded back side 12 year old plugs $800!!!! 100 bucks per plug!! but they did use NGK Iridium premium plugs. August 2022 I finally decide to upgrade the stereo. I waited this long I'm in no hurry, consulted with the pros at Crutchfield ordered exactly what I wanted, what would fit and not require soldering microscopic wires in a small cars dashboard. About 2 days before my $2,000 package of premium sound arrived I was cruising to work and I begin noticing a lack of thrust, IMA light is on, It let me drive it short distances and finally not at all. I called for a tow had it taken back to my house. I did my research and became convinced my hybrid battery or inverter was shot. Researched some more the dealership wanted almost $7,500.00 for new battery and install, Greentec said 3,000.00 for a slightly used battery and we will send an inverter with the tech and if its bad we can add it on (they never saw the car to professionally diagnose no one did, I couldnt justify a $1200 diagnostic at a shop to tell me the car isnt running right) $3,000.00 Compared to the dealership 7500+ was no choice at all. I then decided since it wasn't going any where I could remove the stock radio and paper door speakers to be better prepared to install my new stuff when this hybrid dude gets done. I removed the stock deck but left the wiring harnesses just as they were but disconnected from the actual stereo. About 2 weeks later Greentec guy comes and he is transfixed on the hole in my dashboard, I explained and showed him there was no exposed wires I just removed radio and speakers. He proceeds with battery replacement, Inverter appears fine but raised the question of how long until I need one? I have the money, the time, replacement part and fella to put it in right before my eyes might as well right? He installs new inverter, assembles the interior grabs his OBD2 scanner plugs in the port.....................and ..................................diddley [email protected]#$%, nothing !! OBD2 scanner not reading at all. He grabs a spare scanner and a multi meter tries again, same results, nothing, he then did continuity test on every fuse in the under dash box , still nothin, car runs fine though , perfect idle, but none of the "hybrid features" seem to work, the guage that displays charge/assist doesn't move but car appears to be fine. We talked it over and I started to consider that stereo removal must have something to do with this, so I pay Greentec man and I begin the next day installing my system. I did the door speakers first 4 x 6.5" coaxial polk audio with premade wire harnesses from the stereo shop no problemo , My employer took sympathy on my plight in the meantime and gave me a company vehicle while my honda was sick. I really wanted to check out the new stereo so I asked boss if i could install just the deck in the 2015 Ford Transit Connect. He said it was fine as long as it was a clean job. I got another wire harness and dash kit had it installed in less than 30 mins. A few days later Ford Transit Connect developed a catastrophic coolant problem and as I waited for the cab and tow truck to take this company vehicle to wherever for who knows how long I promptly un installed my deck and put the stock one in. The stock ford radio only worked on top volume and could not be turned down so I didn't bother connecting it. Unfortunately the dash kit for my honda and the custom pioneer to honda wire harness were forgotten in the shuffle and left in the van. The van, tow truck and my stuff made it a few blocks and was then involved in a major traffic accident, one of the drivers actually died but total loss on all cars involved and my stupid stereo stuff. That incident stressed out my boss who stressed me out and I told him to shove it. I got over confident and thought I would wire in this stereo without the custom pre made harness. That was easier seen on youtube than done. Honda must have ran out of colored low volt wires because 6 of the 14 stereo wires are the same light blue. My insight does not have in dash navigation or steering wheel controls. It took about a week but I got all the wires identified , I connected the ones I needed and terminated the others. Originally I was going to install 2 amplifiers 1 -100w x4 amp for the door speakers and another 1200w x 2ch for my sub woofers. I abandoned the 2 amp idea when I tested just those 4 door speakers and the pioneer deck without amp was plenty. I initially ran the power wires for both amps to the under hood 12v battery via a pre made hole on the d side fire wall. I accidentally had power going to both amps while the car was not running and when I was all done so was my 12v under hood battery. I jump started insight from a perfectly good 12v battery that I replaced at the suggestion of another mechanic about 1.5 years earlier. (note hybrid 12 volt batteries are smaller and narower than most conventional batteries and they cost almost double) I knew it was fine but bought a battery anyway because I thought this grown man was going to throw the Father of all tantrums over me disagreeing with this charming chap. However CAR STARTS NORMALLY, Hybrid system functioning normally but after it warmed up it idles like a 2 stroke almost dies every few revolutions, No interior lights plenty of Dashboard lights: VSA system, ABS, Check Engine, Check emissions,Check Power Steering, TPMS, the passenger side front door window not functioning, and no rear tail lights. A cop pulled me over gave me warning about no headlights , ??? The headlights worked fine dash lights on BRAKE lights work but no tail lamps. Aren't the brake and tail the same bulb?? wtf. The brakes feel hard but not as if the ABS was out completely, when the car is started the power steering doesn't seem to be working but after driving 20' it seems to kick on an will stay on working just fine until you shut engine off. I drove it 2 blocks away to Autozone I was very interested to find out about my OBD2 port but no problems there hooked up scanner it read the sputtering whimpering propaganda of my Insight. After downloading my scan results the employee said thats the most codes he had ever seen on one report. P304 cylinder misfire too lean, All cylinders misfire, and about 15 other codes and sub codes, I will provide the sheet they printed me on here if I can. Aside from the misfire the car at higher rpms seems to be more fuel efficient (acording to the onbard computer) I have been a Limo and Delivery driver all my life and I do keep seperate fuel consumption records of my own but I hadn't accumulated enough driving time to get data that could be used yet. I am NO mechanic but at this point I havent worked in several weeks, $800 spark plugs + $3,700 battery & inverter, +2,000 stereo and the leaves on my money tree were almost gone. I downloaded the service manual and started testing the ignition system, coils, connections, grounds work my way to cylinder 4 and the hardest s. plug to get at back side (closest to interior dashboard) after I drop my socket in the hole, then the 12" extension, followed by the 4" ratchet extension, then the ratchet itself click them all together by touch (you cannot see this cylinder at all and taking apart that manifold to get it out of the way seemed like like an invitation to psychotic episode) as I'm doing this I hear/feel the spark plug snap to the magnetized socket without even turning it. That plug was either ejected or was never in at all, I still had those 4 un used plugs I bought so I replaced both plugs on cylinder 4 with bran new plugs, but decided not to try to secure the back plug fearing a misthread or who knows what, I have it towed back to that shop that put them in but I threw the NGK primo plugs I pulled away. The shop calls says they got it all straightened out its ready for pick up.. COOL! before I head over there the shop calls me and says it's still misfiring still so I just roll to their shop anyway. first thing I notice is all my windows are down and have been replaced with plastic bags, They explained the reason for this misfire is mismatched spark plugs, the 2 Auto light plugs i put in are the reason for this misfire and for $340.00 more dollars they will replace those inferior plugs and problem solved. Oh and the windows, well we arent sure they didn't work when it was delivered. Strange because I opened the windows slightly so the tow truck guy and I could get better hand holds when we pushed it out of my garage but now none work at all, IM SO HAPPY ITS WINTER TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So 340 or take it as is, those weren't the plugs they installed so not their problem, And yes friends I did take lesson from that.
Oh wait THERS MORE.................................................
I continued to drive the car , I did somehow get the tail lamps, interior lights, all windows working again, I tested all relays for continuity, resistance, and 9v battery click per Service Manual, I replaced 2 of them, tested all fuses for continuity again found 1 15a fuse was blown, replaced it. Up until this point It always started but after replacing 2 relays nothing, no crank, no try , no buzz , its like turning a deadbolt lock I can feel the ignition turning with the key but thats it no honda springing to life, According to my multi meter and the bright interior and headlights the battery is fine, starter is fine. relays are fine, fuzes are fine, took it to another shop they had it for 7 days at the end of which they recommended a new 12v battery and starter. I cant accept that BECAUSE THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE 12v battery or goddam starter, they said they cant figure it out but they didnt charge me anything either. Took Insight to the dealership Markley Honda Fort Collins, Colorado(where it is presently and has been for 5 days,) They have informed me that they have isolated the problem and the solution is guess what???
wait for it...................................................
Replacing the 12v under hood battery and starter and $1785.00 will make that happen. I tried (blood boiling) to tell the mechanic thats not the problem but one truth I have discovered is there is no explaining things to a mechanic, similar to electricians and cops they know everything about everything furthermore all of them I have had the joy of interacting with are very quick to blame whomever worked on it last for all the current problems,before long the conversation changed to I must have the battery and starter replaced and paid for in full or they will not continue to trouble shoot any of the other problems. Can any body help me, how did it come to this?? If another person tells me its the spark plugs or the battery I wont need a car anymore because I will be doing life in prison and there a few less wise mechanics in Fort Collins . JK but really, oh I forgot the shop called and they also want to replace the entire under dash fuse box for just $1400, wtf? why cant they test the fuse box for faults, they cant do diagnostics unless its a bran new battery??? Come On. I have watched many, many videos read many forum and consumer help articles, asked any one I can think of, listened to all advice I know these problems mostly began at the same time without anything physically harming components like power steering and vehicle stability. looking at the wiring diagrams all these systems are clustered, My amateur guess is that Me or Hybrid Greentec Guy managed to trip the whole system or the total power drain of those 2 amplifiers has somehow affected the computer or the codes it interprets simply because they are all erroneous , well mostly///// oh my Lordie
But that is only a guess 90% of all my knowledge on that car I have ingested in the last few months most of it similar to angry mom with the spoonful of whatever wasn't tasty but GOOD FOR ME I really dont want to park it in a lake and say it was stolen but I cant say it hasn't crossed my mind 🤐
3700+2000+1400+1785+800+340= $10,025!!!!!!! Luckily I have free towing through AAA (not anymore) or I'd be @ $12,000.00 and it still doesn't run 😆😆 stereo kicks *** though🤣 Any feedback is appreciated
Fellow Honda Hybrid Enthusiast,
Branden J. Riley
Oh wait THERS MORE.................................................
I continued to drive the car , I did somehow get the tail lamps, interior lights, all windows working again, I tested all relays for continuity, resistance, and 9v battery click per Service Manual, I replaced 2 of them, tested all fuses for continuity again found 1 15a fuse was blown, replaced it. Up until this point It always started but after replacing 2 relays nothing, no crank, no try , no buzz , its like turning a deadbolt lock I can feel the ignition turning with the key but thats it no honda springing to life, According to my multi meter and the bright interior and headlights the battery is fine, starter is fine. relays are fine, fuzes are fine, took it to another shop they had it for 7 days at the end of which they recommended a new 12v battery and starter. I cant accept that BECAUSE THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE 12v battery or goddam starter, they said they cant figure it out but they didnt charge me anything either. Took Insight to the dealership Markley Honda Fort Collins, Colorado(where it is presently and has been for 5 days,) They have informed me that they have isolated the problem and the solution is guess what???
wait for it...................................................
Replacing the 12v under hood battery and starter and $1785.00 will make that happen. I tried (blood boiling) to tell the mechanic thats not the problem but one truth I have discovered is there is no explaining things to a mechanic, similar to electricians and cops they know everything about everything furthermore all of them I have had the joy of interacting with are very quick to blame whomever worked on it last for all the current problems,before long the conversation changed to I must have the battery and starter replaced and paid for in full or they will not continue to trouble shoot any of the other problems. Can any body help me, how did it come to this?? If another person tells me its the spark plugs or the battery I wont need a car anymore because I will be doing life in prison and there a few less wise mechanics in Fort Collins . JK but really, oh I forgot the shop called and they also want to replace the entire under dash fuse box for just $1400, wtf? why cant they test the fuse box for faults, they cant do diagnostics unless its a bran new battery??? Come On. I have watched many, many videos read many forum and consumer help articles, asked any one I can think of, listened to all advice I know these problems mostly began at the same time without anything physically harming components like power steering and vehicle stability. looking at the wiring diagrams all these systems are clustered, My amateur guess is that Me or Hybrid Greentec Guy managed to trip the whole system or the total power drain of those 2 amplifiers has somehow affected the computer or the codes it interprets simply because they are all erroneous , well mostly///// oh my Lordie
But that is only a guess 90% of all my knowledge on that car I have ingested in the last few months most of it similar to angry mom with the spoonful of whatever wasn't tasty but GOOD FOR ME I really dont want to park it in a lake and say it was stolen but I cant say it hasn't crossed my mind 🤐3700+2000+1400+1785+800+340= $10,025!!!!!!! Luckily I have free towing through AAA (not anymore) or I'd be @ $12,000.00 and it still doesn't run 😆😆 stereo kicks *** though🤣 Any feedback is appreciated
Fellow Honda Hybrid Enthusiast,
Branden J. Riley
