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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

Messages Page 35 of 150

#333 of 1484 Re: Honda Civic Hybrid 2004 Car not starting [Ogre_GEV] by action21

Jul 13, 2010 (9:40 am)

Replying to: Ogre_GEV (May 25, 2010 1:07 pm)
Had the same problem with my 2004 Civic Hybrid and after 17 weeks, yes weeks, in the shop they finally announced they had it fixed. Took it home turned the key to start next morning - nothing. Towed it to another dealer and in 3 hours he replaced the A/C Relay Switch - that was at 80K I now have 150K and IMA light went on along with engine light. Having moved to another state the new Dealers mechanic wants to replace battery to tune of almost $3K. He insisted that they ran all kinds of tests with ENGINEERS from HONDA. I told him to replace A/C Relay Switch and after arguing with me saying it doesn't make any sense I told him it was my call and if I'm wrong I'll buy another car but I doubt I'm wrong. I will post when I get car back -

#334 of 1484 Sudden discharge of IMA battery by earl22

Jul 21, 2010 (7:01 am)

Every summer I have IMA battery problems with my '07 Civic Hybrid. (Live in Fort Worth where summer highs are typically 95-100) Symptom is sudden discharge of IMA battery as indicated by white bars on the dash. (Actually sometimes I see a sudden charging of the battery...goes from 50% to 90% in matter of seconds!) Car can then hardly accelerate w/o assist. Car seldom has more than half a charge. Dealer recently installed software upgrades that had no effect. Dealer has had car for 2 days. Just got a call from him...based on conversations with their Tech Line, they are aware of some problems with software upgrades (but I've had problem for 3 years). Bottom line is there is nothing they can do and I should pick up the car.
 
WHAT DO I DO NOW? PUSH IT OFF A CLIFF? What kind of mileage will I get if I'm continually charging the IMA battery!!
 
I'd like to file a report with Fed. Gov't....would that be NTSB?
 
I'm about to call Honda. I'd like for them to buy back car at price equal to dealer retail. Fat chance...

#335 of 1484 Re: Sudden discharge of IMA battery [earl22] by rosie2006

Jul 21, 2010 (9:26 am)

Replying to: earl22 (Jul 21, 2010 7:01 am)
Lots of luck to you, same problem here, loved the car for the first 2 years (honda civic hybrid 06), got the runaround last year with Honda reps, Consumer Affairs, etc, the Honda rep is assuring me that it is "performing as designed" bottom line is that they have a faulty product, thus the software update for the assist battery, that now shuts it down before it gets hot enough to destroy the battery, saving them some money while it lasts long enough for the warranty to run out. Thank goodness, our Ca summer has been mild, reduces the frustration of trying to accelerate!

#336 of 1484 Re: Just got my IMA battery replaced [selinz] by rosie2006

Jul 21, 2010 (9:30 am)

Replying to: selinz (Apr 20, 2010 10:47 am)
The car must have "codes" , trust me, all last summer getting the runaround from Elk Grove Honda and the Honda Reps, Consumer affairs etc, I am not lazy, just resolved to have it go until it dies.... Am going to your dealer next!

#337 of 1484 Re: Honda Civic Hybrid 2004 Car not starting [action21] by brian2007

Jul 21, 2010 (4:57 pm)

Replying to: action21 (Jul 13, 2010 9:40 am)
action21 wrote:
 
"I told him it was my call and if I'm wrong I'll buy another car but I doubt I'm wrong. I will post when I get car back -"
==========
Any results to report yet?

#338 of 1484 Re: Sudden discharge of IMA battery [earl22] by brian2007

Jul 21, 2010 (5:16 pm)

Replying to: earl22 (Jul 21, 2010 7:01 am)
earl22 wrote:
"Every summer I have IMA battery problems with my '07 Civic Hybrid. (Live in Fort Worth where summer highs are typically 95-100) Symptom is sudden discharge of IMA battery as indicated by white bars on the dash. (Actually sometimes I see a sudden charging of the battery...goes from 50% to 90% in matter of seconds!) Car can then hardly accelerate w/o assist. Car seldom has more than half a charge."
=======
Exactly same problem with my 2007 HCH. I bought it used at 20,000 miles and it ran great for the next 20,000 miles. Performance has been degrading ever since. In addition to the symptoms described by earl22, I have noticed that the charging system takes some "warm-up time" before engaging. I noticed this in the cold weather (well, cold for Austin, TX) this past winter, when I would have to drive 5-10 mins. before the system would begin charging, but it's even happening in summer weather, though it only takes a minute or 2 to begin working. Of course, no IMA during this warm-up period either.
 
Had the dealer look at it recently and they found no problems, apart from the 4 software upgrades they applied. Those did absolutely nothing to alleviate the problem, and perhaps made it marginally worse.
 
The tech at the dealership who is the hybrid "specialist" said he had a few other customers reporting similar issues, but there was no solution from Honda other than the software updates.
 
Well, I'm going to start climbing the chain for complaints. . .

#339 of 1484 Re: Sudden discharge of IMA battery [brian2007] by johnb46

Jul 22, 2010 (8:37 am)

Replying to: brian2007 (Jul 21, 2010 5:16 pm)
I live in Dumas Arkansas and have a 2007 Civic Hybrid and have the same problem. Honda USA said until I get an error code I do not have a problem. The IMA battery will not charge when the temp is hot outside. Keep me informed. The Better Business Bureau said that I had the car too long for them to complain to Honda. What else can I do?

#340 of 1484 Re: Sudden discharge of IMA battery [johnb46] by rosie2006

Jul 22, 2010 (9:09 am)

Replying to: johnb46 (Jul 22, 2010 8:37 am)
Same runaround I got, nothing is going to happen until there is a big accident due to the inability to accelerate because of no ASSIST!

#341 of 1484 Re: Honda Civic Hybrid 2004 Car not starting [brian2007] by action21

Jul 22, 2010 (9:15 am)

Replying to: brian2007 (Jul 21, 2010 4:57 pm)
By the time I got home the IMA and check engine light came back on. Car is charging and running fine. Found 2 places that will repair my IMA battery for anywhere from apx $800 - $1250 which is far better than the $2700 the dealer wants. One will even give a loaner battery. Lookup REVOLT. Waiting on a list because I want it all replaced and not just the bad cells - still running like a charm.

#342 of 1484 Re: Honda Civic Hybrid 2004 Car not starting [action21] by Ogre_GEV

Jul 22, 2010 (10:34 am)

Replying to: action21 (Jul 13, 2010 9:40 am)
>I now have 150K and IMA light went on along with engine light.
 
I wouldn't assume that you have the same problem this time. 150,000 miles is an average age for a Civic battery to go. Please have your codes read and post the error codes here. I'll be glad to help you diagnose it.

Messages Page 35 of 150

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