Honda Civic Hybrid IMA Problems

1484 messages,  Last post on Apr 02, 2013 at 6:27 PM

You are in the Honda Civic Hybrid Forum.

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

#1443 of 1484 Re: The update that broke my car [vidar] by Ogre_GEV

Oct 17, 2012 (10:39 am)

Replying to: vidar (Oct 07, 2012 5:07 pm)
"I have read on this forum that the software upgrade doesn't exist for my car (2005), but know that I received at least 4 notices from Honda for the upgrade, and just found one of them when cleaning out my desk."
 
Yes, but they are not for the "Upgrade 2006-2008 MDM to 2009-2011 software". They are for a different update, and you will not experience the problems that the 2006+ Civics do. Your car is totally different than the 2006+ and actually is closer to the 2000-2006 Insight in design than to the 2006+ Civic. The name is the main thing they have in common. The earlier notices you got probably relate to your catalytic converter.

#1444 of 1484 Re: Engine light on - Diagnosis need new Hybrid battery [whitemthiker] by Ogre_GEV

Oct 17, 2012 (10:44 am)

Replying to: whitemthiker (Oct 14, 2012 3:14 pm)
Eventually, it will die. Driving the car DAILY will extend the life of your battery. Also, if your state has inspections, it will fail.
 
There are at least two companies selling new battery packs for less than the refurbished (used) pack that the dealer quoted you.

#1445 of 1484 Re: Hybrid Battery Replacement Alternatives [bossless] by Ogre_GEV

Oct 17, 2012 (10:50 am)

Replying to: bossless (Oct 06, 2012 6:48 pm)
"I believe all the battery replacements are reconditioned, not new. They have a lot of failed ones to recondition."
 
There is evidence to show that they started putting refurbs in in 2008. warranty batteries arter 2008 seem to last about 2 years.
 
The warranty and the $2400 battery are refurbished, the $3000 battery is new old stock.

#1446 of 1484 Re: Still not happy, but... [bossless] by nyhonda

Oct 17, 2012 (1:04 pm)

Replying to: bossless (Oct 17, 2012 8:15 am)
The update does not do more aggressive charging of the battery...at least not directly....the update uses the battery much less which by definition means you will not get the same amount of boast therefore less gas image...

#1448 of 1484 Selling the Honda by mabecane

Dec 22, 2012 (4:55 am)

That's it , I bought a Chevy Cruze Eco yesterday. The HCH is going out the door. No more Honda for me.

#1449 of 1484 The Infa mous Battery Issue by harrilady

Dec 31, 2012 (7:25 pm)

I live in PA and have a 2006 HCH with 116,000 miles. My IMA and battery lights came on intermittently a year ago...took it into the dealership (when the lights weren't on) where I bought it and it passed emissions. The lights would come on intermittently throughout the winter. When the warm weather arrived no lights throughout summer and fall . When it got "cold" the lights started coming back on, the battery light stays lit, the IMA light appears intermittently. Took it to a different dealership and they willl not put the sticker on it, failed emissions. Has anyone ignored the lights, gotten inspected and had no issues? Definitely issues with mileage when it's cold.

#1450 of 1484 Re: The Infa mous Battery Issue [harrilady] by bossless

Dec 31, 2012 (7:33 pm)

Replying to: harrilady (Dec 31, 2012 7:25 pm)
I live in Florida where it doesn't get that cold, but my problem with ignoring the problem was the poor gas mileage and acceleration. Don't need a car like that.

#1452 of 1484 Re: The Infa mous Battery Issue [bossless] by the1mick

Jan 14, 2013 (4:49 pm)

Replying to: bossless (Dec 31, 2012 7:33 pm)
Long term, this car sucks.
  
I have 2005 HCH. ~14 months ago, IMA light came on, battery identified as bad. Dealer replaced it but first required me to do the software update. The software update sucked because it reduced my mileage. The ne program uses the batteries less because they can't make batteries that last.
  
The real problem comes when my replacement battery is failing after just over 12 months. "sorry, not our problem, have a nice day" is the honda position. Wow. So I'm working on how to live without the batteries because I don't want to pay the money for replacement.
  
REPLACEMENT BATTERIES - like anything with cars, the dealer is the last and worst place to go imho. I did find a guy here in town (Denver) who sells an aftermarket battery (NOT refurb) he claims is better than the original. It runs around $2k. His comment to me on batteries made perfect sense. He recommended not to buy a refurbished battery because one ends up where I am right now over and over. i.e. get a refurb and just over a year later back in the same place.
  
So moral of the story i see is dont buy honda hybrid. I'm now in the process of exploring how to live permanently without the hybrid battery. But this is likely an uphill battle forever as Honda relies on the hybrid battery to charge the regular car battery at idle (below ~1500 rpm). Ugh.
  
Hate to be so negative. I was excited to buy this car new. But my approach is own a car until the end. And the end is way too soon it seems with HCH.
  
hth
  
mike
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