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Honda Civic Hybrid IMA Problems

171 messages,  Last post on Nov 21, 2009 at 7:27 AM

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#162 of 171 Heat Related IMA Problems/Solutions by joek11 Jul 07, 2009 (10:02 am)
I created this tread to help diagnose give suggestions on how to eliminate this problem. Car: 2006 Honda Civic Hybrid   Problem: During periods where outside temp is 95F+ the IMA battery looses a full charge in about 10 seconds, after about 5 minutes of use. During which time the charge light goes up to 4 bars and holds steady. Coasting does not charge battery and neither does braking. After about 1 hour of run time the IMA starts working again.   Result: I went from getting 41MPG on average to around 28MPG because the IMA never functions correctly in the afternoon on the way home from work.   Possible Repairs: Took the car to Howdy Honda (Austin,TX) and they did 4 computer software updates. They also were able to replicate the problem (after the updates) and sent a snapshot of the computer diagnostic to Honda regional offices.   Outcome: Honda basically said, "This known issue and we are unable to fix it at this time. We will contact you when a fix is found."   Honda documented official diagnosis as "heat issue, not repairable at this time". Replies to this message: dowjd (Nov 09, 2009 5:26 pm)
#163 of 171 Re: Heat Related IMA Problems/Solutions [joek11] by dowjd Nov 09, 2009 (5:26 pm)
Replying to: joek11 (Jul 07, 2009 10:02 am) I think we are all getting screwed by Honda. I have always been a Honda fan, until now. I don't like being jerked around and I didn't like paying 24K for essentially a regular Civic Sedan (26City / 34Hwy) costing 18k.   So Hondas solution... software upgrades. What? Hiding a piece of garbage using smoke and mirrors isn't going to change the fact that its still garbage.   They know there is an issue with the IMA and batteries that "cannot be repaired at this time." So why continue to manufacture and sale them?
#164 of 171 2003 Civic Hy IMA light at 6yr 10mos by tommyb3 Nov 09, 2009 (9:29 pm)
My IMA light came on the other day. The service rep said further damage could have been done if I continued to drive it. They replaced the battery module, PCM control mod, and ECM, at no cost. Total mileage for this 2003 was 48,000.
#165 of 171 OBD code 1445 bad IMA batteries? by rachetboy Nov 17, 2009 (12:05 pm)
I have a 2003 civic hybrid and my IMA system went dead a few weeks ago. I got the 1600 code telling me my IMA system is bad, and I also got the 1445 code, (the bypass contactor malfunction). My honda dealer said that the batteries need replacing, but this site and others have said the 1443 code is for the battery. So, I don't know. Is code 1445 electrical or do I really need a battery? I have been driving it since the Honda place wants $3600 to fix it The battery light came on a few days after the IMA stopped working. I got a new regular battery for the car, but the battery light still appeared whenever it was in park or at low revs.. So, is my problem electrical or do I really need new IMA batteries? Replies to this message: baboot (Nov 17, 2009 2:49 pm) rachetboy (Nov 17, 2009 3:38 pm)
#166 of 171 Re: OBD code 1445 bad IMA batteries? [rachetboy] by baboot Nov 17, 2009 (2:49 pm)
Replying to: rachetboy (Nov 17, 2009 12:05 pm) I cannot answer whether you have an electrical problem or you need a new IMA battery, but I can give everyone in this thread an update about the "need" to replace the IMA battery when the indicator light says it is time to replace it. One word: WAIT.   I first posted on Jan. 6, 2009 about my IMA light problem (message #52). The IMA light has remainded on continuously (except for the two Honda dealers that assessed the need for a new IMA and reset the light but it comes back on within days), the malfunction light came on months ago and my corner mechanic said both were related to my IMA battery "failure" and the malfunction light indicated an overheating IMA battery.   Well surprisingly to me (and my corner mechanic), the IMA and malfunction light remain on, I have NOT paid the $3500+ to have the IMA battery replaced AND my car still runs fine with no noticeable performance deterioration. Though I have noticed a little anomaly. The MPG indicator says my mileage has increased from around 45 mpg to about 49 mpg (last month or so), but in actuality I am getting about 42-44 mpg per tank full. Not a big issue.   Bottom line: I have driven since Jan. 6th (over 10 months) and driven over 20,000 miles and this 2003 HCH has not "blown up" or anything. The IMA batttery light and malfunction light are still on and I keep waiting for something serious to happen. Replies to this message: rachetboy (Nov 17, 2009 3:38 pm)
#167 of 171 Re: OBD code 1445 bad IMA batteries? [baboot] by rachetboy Nov 17, 2009 (3:38 pm)
Replying to: baboot (Nov 17, 2009 2:49 pm) I've been telling my wife the same thing. Just drive it like any other gasoline car, but the problem is it has stopped 3 times while my wife has been driving it in less than a month waiting for the light to change to green. Since the car doesn't have an alternator to recharge the battery and the IMA doesn't work, is this normal?
#168 of 171 Re: 2009 HCH IMA Problem [shonda3] by nataliem Nov 20, 2009 (10:23 am)
Replying to: shonda3 (Nov 05, 2009 4:48 am) I finally looked online to see who else was having this same problem. I thought it was just me & that I must be crazy because the dealership always claims it doesn't happen when I take it in. I have an '06 Civic Hybrid & didn't start having problems with the battery until maybe 6 mths to a year ago. Same problems as everyone else here. Within 10 mins of driving however much charge I have goes down to either 1 bar or nothing. It's very frustrating & I am actually test driving other cars because I have to trade this in since the dealership refuses to help. Since there are so many people that are having the same issue has anyone heard of a class action suit being brought against Honda? Replies to this message: cdubya1 (Nov 20, 2009 11:49 am) rosie2006 (Nov 21, 2009 6:28 am) nataliem (Nov 21, 2009 7:27 am)
#169 of 171 Re: 2009 HCH IMA Problem [nataliem] by cdubya1 Nov 20, 2009 (11:49 am)
Replying to: nataliem (Nov 20, 2009 10:23 am) I haven't heard of one regarding the IMA/battery issue. After I had had my battery replaced and the software updated, I was getting the same mileage as a regular, non-hybrid civic (~33-34 mpg). Yesterday, I just went ahead and traded the in for non-hybrid. After my experience and others listed on this forum, I've been telling my friends to hold off on buying Honda hybrids until the battery issues have been worked out.
#170 of 171 Re: 2009 HCH IMA Problem [nataliem] by rosie2006 Nov 21, 2009 (6:28 am)
Replying to: nataliem (Nov 20, 2009 10:23 am) Hey nataliem, whatever you do, don't let them put the "software update" on your vehicle, this drops the temperature of the battery that tells the assist to come on, so you are driving with no assist which equals no performance. If I were you, I'd wait until it fails completely so they can replace it, mine was doing the same thing, unfortunately I learned after the software update how horrible it is to drive the car. Of course it isn't bad right now as we are in the cold season in Ca. seems to be severely affected in the heat. Good luck, you can ask for a Honda Rep ride along, mine failed during both of the rides with their honda rep, but of course, "it is behaving as designed". Replies to this message: nataliem (Nov 21, 2009 7:27 am)
#171 of 171 Re: 2009 HCH IMA Problem [rosie2006] by nataliem Nov 21, 2009 (7:27 am)
Replying to: rosie2006 (Nov 21, 2009 6:28 am) Yeah too little, too late I am afraid. They did the updates when I took it in a couple of months ago. I hope people who are thinking of buying one do their research first. I'm going to have to trade it & am now fighting with dealerships to have them pay it off. Maybe they know about the problem as well.

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