Took my Insight into the dealer today (Mel Rapton Honda in Sacramento) because the IMA warning light came on about three weeks ago and I've been experiencing recals about twice a week ever since. I've also noticed a really abrupt transition when electric assist kicks in and out, especially in 2nd gear.
The dealer found error code "DTC77", which indicates "battery module deterioration." They said a service bulletin from the factory calls for replacing the battery pack and "motor control module" when this code appears. All is covered under the 8/80 warranty and the parts are on order and expected in about a week.
A little history: I bought the car used from the original owner about five months ago. I had some trepidation buying a used hybrid, but the 8/80 warranty settled my nerves. The car was well maintained, but the previous owner really didn't know much about the hybrid system and drove the car mostly for city errands. The lmpg was around 48 when we bought it.
Since we bought it, we have used the car probably 60 percent highway trips and 40 percent city driving, and we are way into the hybrid system function and always drive for best mpg and max battery charge. The lmpg has been slowly creeping up as a result.
We bought the car with about 57k miles and it now has 62k. Is it possible the change in driving behavior could have led to the battery's undoing? I also recently put 195/55/14 Dunlop SP8000 tires on the car, which have changed the charge/assist cycle somewhat because of their increased drag. But the IMA warning light and recal cycle started BEFORE the new tires went on, while the car was still wearing the OEM Re92 tires.
Anyway, I'm really grateful this happened early in my ownership of the car and not after the 80k mark, because we plan to own this car for a long time. 8)
By the way, what exactly is the "motor control module" and where is it located?
The dealer found error code "DTC77", which indicates "battery module deterioration." They said a service bulletin from the factory calls for replacing the battery pack and "motor control module" when this code appears. All is covered under the 8/80 warranty and the parts are on order and expected in about a week.
A little history: I bought the car used from the original owner about five months ago. I had some trepidation buying a used hybrid, but the 8/80 warranty settled my nerves. The car was well maintained, but the previous owner really didn't know much about the hybrid system and drove the car mostly for city errands. The lmpg was around 48 when we bought it.
Since we bought it, we have used the car probably 60 percent highway trips and 40 percent city driving, and we are way into the hybrid system function and always drive for best mpg and max battery charge. The lmpg has been slowly creeping up as a result.
We bought the car with about 57k miles and it now has 62k. Is it possible the change in driving behavior could have led to the battery's undoing? I also recently put 195/55/14 Dunlop SP8000 tires on the car, which have changed the charge/assist cycle somewhat because of their increased drag. But the IMA warning light and recal cycle started BEFORE the new tires went on, while the car was still wearing the OEM Re92 tires.
Anyway, I'm really grateful this happened early in my ownership of the car and not after the 80k mark, because we plan to own this car for a long time. 8)
By the way, what exactly is the "motor control module" and where is it located?