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Honda Civic Hybrid Battery Pack Questions

109 messages,  Last post on Apr 17, 2013 at 2:58 AM

You are in the Honda Civic Hybrid Maintenance & Repair Forum.

What is this discussion about? Honda Civic, Hybrid Cars, Coupe, Sedan

Messages Page 11 of 12

#95 of 109 Re: Let your Honda Dealer deal with it! [sandi878] by rsh33

May 08, 2012 (3:15 pm)

Replying to: sandi878 (May 01, 2012 12:43 am)
I also own a 2003 Honda Civic hybrid and also experienced two recent IMA failures. Both cases with reports of DTC P0A80 -- IMA battery malfunction. In January 2012 my Honda dealer updated some software and the problem went away. That is, until May 5, 2012 (a not so nice birthday present) when it reoccurred. The dealer updated software and the problem is resolved (at least for now). What is most interesting is they also gave me a copy of Honda ServiceNews Article dated March 2012 which I will fully copy.
Got a Civic Hybrid with IMA DTC P0A80? Update the Battery Software
Currently applies to: '03-05 Civic Hybrid
Got IMA DTC P0A80 (replace hybrid battery pack)? Don't replace anything! The IMA battery software just needs to be updated to the latest version.
To remedy the situation, go back to S/B 10-083, IMA Battery Software and Hardware Updates, and update both the battery software and motor software using this version or later:
* HDS Software Version 3.002.034
* HDS Control Module (CM) update - Database Update 1 Mar 2012 [not quite clear as how to read this, either Update 1, March 2012 or Update, 1 Mar 2012. rsh33]
Once the software has been updated, DTC P0A80 will be gone, never to be seen again.
After updating the IMA motor and battery software, immediately check for DTCs.
* If you see DTC P1569 or P1637 right after the update, there's a mismatch between the battery software and the battery type. Go back to S/B 10-083, recheck the battery type and software, and repeat the update.
* If you see P1589 or P1637 any time other than right after the update, follow the normal troubleshooting in ISIS.
 
The End. I asked the dealer why Honda didn't notify me, the original owner with a previously reported P0A80 occurrence, of this fix. The answer was, "Honda doesn't". I asked if the dealer would have recommended this upgrade as part of a normal service? The answer was, "no".

#96 of 109 Re: Let your Honda Dealer deal with it! [sandi878] by stilt

Jun 04, 2012 (7:59 pm)

Replying to: sandi878 (May 01, 2012 12:43 am)
I agree with taking your Civic Hybrid to the dealership. I own an '03 Hybrid. At about 78K my IMA light came on but my car still operated fine, battery & electric motor still ran OK but I scheduled an appointment with Honda. They replaced the battery and module under warranty. They have also provided all software upgrades to improve performance and longevity. I have not had any issues. At 134K miles mine runs very smooth! Place some faith in your 2003 Honda Civic Hybrid, take it to Honda dealer...Do your scheduled maintenance, don't drive with a heavy foot. Watch the digital monitors below the speedometer and the charge and assist dials on the upper right to assist you in learning to get the best performance and mileage. I consistently get between 40 and 50 mpg. (47.3 mpg this week, more in town than on the freeway.) If properly cared for your battery will normally far outlive the battery on the Prius. See government study: http://avt.inl.gov/pdf/hev/end_of_life_test_1.pdf

#97 of 109 IMA,Check Engine lights on by richie78

Jul 09, 2012 (7:13 pm)

Today my wife bought 2005 Honda Civic Hybrid (automatic transmission, mileage=220k) and she found that:
 
1. The IMA light is on
2. The check engine light is on
3. The battery charger light is on
4. The AC in the car does not work. (I turned it on but no cool air comes out)
5. The Battery on the right side of IMA ( I think that it is the indicator of IMA battery capacity) is TOTALLY empty.
 
6. Maintenance due light is showing..
 
Are these problems results of weak battery?

#98 of 109 Re: IMA,Check Engine lights on [richie78] by lcruise

Jul 10, 2012 (2:59 am)

Replying to: richie78 (Jul 09, 2012 7:13 pm)
Wow. I can't help but wonder how much your wife paid for the car; perhaps it was a really, really good deal. I too drive a Civic Hybrid, 2003. I love it most of the time.
 
I just replaced the IMA battery in June, with 164K miles on the engine and with all the same symptoms you have (except the AC thing). At the Honda dealership it was $2870. before taxes! Honda's batteries are not new, but refurbished and mine came with a 2 year warranty. (I am told Honda no longer makes these batteries new, but they are refurbished by Panasonic who made the original batteries.)
 
I asked to keep my old battery. After all it did belong to me, however Honda was going to charge me $1200 more for the repair if I insisted on keeping the battery! That's called Honda robbery!! By the way, the life of the IMA battery is the focus of a current class action lawsuit against Honda. By default, you may be included in this.
 
Note that one year ago, after reading many positive comments on this and another online forum, I had my failing battery refurbished by Ron Hansen of Hybrid Battery Repair out of NY, with a one year warranty. Four months later (Sept. 2011) I was having problems.. lights coming on, "coughing" with acceleration, etc. Weeks turned into months trying to get an upfront response from Mr. Hanson, all couched in kind promises and no action. Finally, in May 2012 after tens of phone calls, most of which were never even acknowledged, I discovered he had closed his doors. Consumer beware!
 
I hate to be the bearer of this news, but my guess is that your IMA battery (if it isn't already) is on it's way to being, like the wicked witch, "not just merely dead, but really most sincerely dead".

#99 of 109 Re: Civic Hybrid 2003 IMA Battery Replacement [jrhefner] by conceptor

Aug 01, 2012 (12:54 pm)

Replying to: jrhefner (Apr 06, 2010 5:39 pm)
JRhefner: Can you give me some pointers on how to replace the IMA battery cells myself?

#100 of 109 Re: IMA,Check Engine lights on [lcruise] by richie78

Aug 02, 2012 (8:16 am)

Replying to: lcruise (Jul 10, 2012 2:59 am)
After 2weeK Honda dealer came out with a report of MCM motor control module(NO COMMUNCATiON)...Cat. converter failure and EGR Control circuit range. The car battery was certified to be good!To Honda..the MCM cost $2600 which is same price my wife bought the car! But im seaching for used one presently bc i cant afford such huge $$$$ for MCM!
Can i replace the MCM with the used MCM?

#102 of 109 ima help please by tgabbi

Aug 27, 2012 (5:03 pm)

I have purchased a 2004 civic hybrid for my son. He was starting college and the car was needed. 1 week after both the check engine and ima light have come on. After taking it to the dealership the diagnosis is the batteries with a 3000 dollar price tag. This a nightmare. We spent his savings and mine just to buy this car and thought we were gettinga quality product in honda. Is there any way to get Honda to off set the price of replacement. Or is there any other option. Why would they make a product with such an expensive part.

#103 of 109 Re: Hybrid-Battery-Repair in NY [adam801] by marchambault4

Oct 26, 2012 (12:09 am)

Replying to: adam801 (Feb 21, 2011 12:25 pm)
I have a 2004 civic hybrid which I bought 10 months ago with 83500 miles on it. I love it. I have had one major repair, a voltage sensor that cost me $790 to fix. I change the oil and transmission fluid myself. It sounds like a good plan to get the battery rebuilt. I would think you can have a mechanic you trust or an automotive shop that specializes in automotive electrical problems do the job. I think it is absolutely worth it. It's a Honda, it should run for a long time as long as you stay up on the preventive maintenance. Hopefully you can find a trustworthy mechanic.

Messages Page 11 of 12

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