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Honda Civic Hybrid IMA Problems

180 messages,  Last post on Nov 30, 2009 at 6:28 PM

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#158 of 180 Re: 2009 HCH IMA Problem [dowjd] by shonda3 Nov 05, 2009 (4:48 am)
Replying to: dowjd (Nov 04, 2009 9:10 pm) Yes, Honda is screwing you, just as they are screwing everyone else with a HCH. When they updated your computer, they were really rigging the IMA system to preserve the battery. This lowers the performance of the car, greatly reduces the mileage, and saves them expensive replacements at your expense. The fact is they originally rigged the batteries to produce the highest mileage possible to compete with the much better Prius. This caused the batteries to wear prematurely, thus reducing the mileage. Rather than design a workable system that delivers what they promised, they are rigging the system so that it won't function optimally, but will last. I used to get between 45 and 48 MPG. They did the same to my 06 HCH and now I get 31-34 MPG. Morever, when the battery is discharged (crashed), you have all the power a standard 1.3 litre engine can deliver-- time it with a calendar. The car sucks. But the worst part is American Honda's egregious practice of denying that anything is wrong. Dump your car. Replies to this message: dowjd (Nov 05, 2009 5:20 pm) nataliem (Nov 20, 2009 10:23 am) cdubya1 (Nov 20, 2009 11:49 am) rosie2006 (Nov 21, 2009 6:28 am) nataliem (Nov 21, 2009 7:27 am)
#159 of 180 Re: 2009 HCH IMA Problem [shonda3] by dowjd Nov 05, 2009 (5:20 pm)
Replying to: shonda3 (Nov 05, 2009 4:48 am) Do you know what those codes mean?   My wife drives the car the most. Sometimes battery level would drop to 1-2 bars with AC on during summer (live in Central Valley California). Before IMA issue, on average we got 37 MPG local city/highway (with AC). We got better mileage on highway trips.. average 43 MPG at 70mph and could get 52 MPG at 55mph.   We took car to Honda 10/28/09 and they did their thing. Will know more about MPG this next fill up and battery performance.
#160 of 180 HCH Computer Programming by mdsheker Nov 09, 2009 (10:43 am)
I took my 2006 Honda Civic Hybrid into a Honda dealership this morning (11-9-2009) to get the transmission fixed, as it was leaking fluid. It is under warranty. While they had the car, I had them look into why the IMA (?) battery drains sometimes. On the average, once a week, when I'm at a stop light, and with nothing running, (e.g. no A/C, heater, radio, etc...), and when the battery bar level is at 75% full. When the signal light turns green, I take my foot off the brake pedal, and press onto the gas, and BOOM, {instantly}, the bar level drops from 75% to 0% within a half second, and while pressing onto the gas, there is NO power for me to go forward. I start to coast, and people behind me are honking for me to go, but I can't. Then after 30 seconds, I start moving again, when the battery starts to charge back up Blocking traffic for 30 seconds is bad. Anyways, Honda called me to tell me there is a software updade to FIX this. Actually, there are 3 upgrades. And, they perfomed the upgrades before getting me a quote. They CHARGED me $175 for these 3 upgrades, something that should be FREE, as it's a definate PROBLEM and bad design onto the car manufacturer's part. How much does Honda charge others for the {not-so-free} computer upgrades, that fixes something that should've been fixed already, and/or should be covered under warranty?
#162 of 180 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 180 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 180 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 180 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 180 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 180 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?

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