Ask the Car People.SM


Honda Insight Hybrid Battery Pack Questions

124 messages,  Last post on Apr 22, 2013 at 6:40 PM

You are in the Honda Insight Forum.

What is this discussion about? Honda Insight, Electrical, Hybrid Cars, Hatchback

Messages Page 10 of 13

#88 of 124 2000 Honda Insight Battery Pack issue by kimw007

Sep 01, 2010 (7:45 pm)

I've got a 2000 Insight. The battery was replaced in 2006 by the dealer after I received a recall notice. It had 86,000 miles at the time. My IMA light just came on (at 152,000 miles) and the dealer says that it needs another new battery but it isn't covered under warranty. He also says that the battery they put in 4 years ago was "reconditioned" not new, and that all batteries come that way. They want to charge me $3600 to replace the battery. Do I have any recourse? Please help!

#89 of 124 Re: 2000 Honda Insight Battery Pack issue [kimw007] by bmb97206

Sep 02, 2010 (8:36 am)

Replying to: kimw007 (Sep 01, 2010 7:45 pm)
I also have 2000 Insight and had almost exactly same scenario. My light came on earlier this year but I had less than 150K miles so it was covered under the 2008 warranty extension for manual xmissions to 10/150K (bulletin is "monitor and motor control module" Honda Service Bulletin 06-057 dated Feb 5, 2008). I was also told that the "new" battery is reconditioned and any battery failures, even during the warranty period would not be covered.

#90 of 124 2002 Insight by ronwitman

Sep 02, 2010 (7:05 pm)

Had the battery replaced. Contrary to the info you received my battery has a new 150,000 mile warranty.The new battery is not working properly so back to Honda West.

#91 of 124 2002 Insight by ronwitman

Sep 02, 2010 (7:23 pm)

I'd find a new dealer. Call Honda. They will remedy the situation. I call them to see if I could get a mechanic outside the agency but they wouldn't allow. They stated the any new installation would have a 150,000 mile warranty.When I called Honda West they agreed with the installation and did so free of charge. Be tough.

#92 of 124 Re: Insight Batteries [Ogre_GEV] by hank43

Sep 25, 2010 (1:56 am)

Replying to: Ogre_GEV (Mar 04, 2010 10:35 pm)
I have a 2001 Honda Insight and the IMA light on the dash has been coming on!
 
How do you recondition or rebalance the 144 volt batteries?

#93 of 124 Re: Insight Batteries [hank43] by joacchim

Sep 25, 2010 (8:51 am)

Replying to: hank43 (Sep 25, 2010 1:56 am)
Honda warranties these batteries for 10 years/150,000 miles. If you're within these limits, I'd check with your local dealer.

#94 of 124 Re: Insight Batteries [joacchim] by ronwitman

Sep 25, 2010 (11:33 am)

Replying to: joacchim (Sep 25, 2010 8:51 am)
See your dealer. Warranty should cover . If not call Honda International. My 2002 had CMA light come on 90,000 miles. I called Honda. I was directed to the nearest dealer and a new battery was installed, no charge. Got free rental car while in shop.

#95 of 124 P1447 code in error? by gecko3

Oct 13, 2010 (5:23 pm)

I have a 2000 insight and last week the IMA light came on. Took it to the dealer, and they said it was a P1447 code - battery module definitely needed to be replaced ($3474) and once they took that out they would see if I would needed anything else replaced (possibly another $3575). I have driven about 150 miles since then, and everything seems to be working perfectly: my mileage is the same, autostop is working, the battery is charging as usual, assist is kicking in as usual....
 
So does this mean everything is actually o.k.? Was the test wrong, or is my battery starting to deteriorate but not enough to effect performance?
 
Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

#96 of 124 Re: P1447 code in error? [gecko3] by Ogre_GEV

Oct 13, 2010 (5:53 pm)

Replying to: gecko3 (Oct 13, 2010 5:23 pm)
Your battery has already deteriorated and has gone below the threshold required to light the light. You aren't seeing a change in economy because you are already suffering from it and probably have been for a year or more.
 
Your concerns are:
 
1. you cannot pass emtissons in most states. If you are in a state that does not require emissions, you can put the IMA system into limp-in mode and drive it as a non-hybrid.
 
2. The P1447 indicates that the battery is wildly out of balance and some cells are extremely weak. Over time, these cells will bear the brunt of the assist work and will be made weaker. Eventually they will start to fail and will cause the car to shut down the IMA system to prevent overheating (read:fire) and will shut down the DC-DC converter (aka the alternator). Then you will be stranded.
 
If you purchase a pack from the dealer, they can no longer require you to replace the BCM and MCM (at a price of $1800) which should limit the cost to about $3000.
 
Of course, you could have it repaired instead. You should look on Insightcentral for information about this error and what you should expect.

#97 of 124 Re: 2002 Insight [ronwitman] by Ogre_GEV

Oct 13, 2010 (6:02 pm)

Replying to: ronwitman (Sep 02, 2010 7:05 pm)
Any battery replaced under warranty does not have it's own warranty. It is covered under the car's 150,000 mile warranty. It doesn't matter how many times it is replaced. As long as the car is within the 10/150,000, you are covered.
 
If you PURCHASE a replacement battery, it comes with it's own 3/36,000 warranty that is independent of the age or mileage of the car.

Messages Page 10 of 13

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement