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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 97 of 149

#955 of 1484 Re: 2009 Civic Hybrid gets new IMA Battery [bossless] by dowjd

Mar 02, 2011 (7:08 pm)

Replying to: bossless (Jan 13, 2011 1:01 pm)
I also have an 09 and my 1st battery crashed in Dec 09. Honda replaced it, then in Dec 10 the IMA light came on again... again software updates. So my 2nd battery is on it's way out.
 
The problem with the HCH are the batteries. They are far too small. Honda needs to either install larger battery packs or the new Lithium Ion packs. If they do not, this problem will continue and seriously tarnish the Honda name.
 
I did have a lengthy conversation with my local Honda dealer in Visalia, CA about my car (mpg loss, loss of assist, auto stop, poor charging, etc) and they acknowledged Honda has a problem and they stated they are fighting for us local customers. I have to thank them for finally stepping up to the plate. Hopefully Honda USA will do the right thing.

#956 of 1484 torque may help explain sluggishness of car by dwolf5

Mar 04, 2011 (10:18 am)

I found a graph of torque and horsepower for the hch ii on the clean mpg website (cleanmpg.com) . Engine hp is expressed in kw and torque is expressed in n-m. The numbers and units are not as important as the relative contribution of the electric motor vs. the engine for torque and hp especially at low engine rpm. Starting at around 700 rpm the engine contributes roughly 20 in torque vs 25 for the electric motor. The engine at around 700 rpm contributes 10 in hp vs 10 in hp for the electric motor. At low rpm and speeds when the electric motor does not kick in is when I have noticed significant sluggishness as opposed to rpms above 2500. If the electric motor is not contributing to the car’s acceleration, the torque and horsepower are both reduced by 50% when you first accelerate. This is a significant reduction.
 
If you read up on hp vs torque on different sites, they all talk about how important torque is in acceleration. I haven’t seen torque mentioned in the discussion so far. I thought I would add my two cents. This may explain why weight/hp ratios are comparable with other cars while we have all noticed how sluggish the car is when the electric motor does not kick in. I am looking forward to your feedback.

#957 of 1484 Re: 2009 Civic Hybrid gets new IMA Battery [dowjd] by bossless

Mar 04, 2011 (11:41 am)

Replying to: dowjd (Mar 02, 2011 7:08 pm)
Electric motors have high low speed torque, but are pretty flat at higher speeds. That is why it is critical to have the electric motor on takeoff for good acceleration. My Civic is very good on takeoff because the electric motor always kicks in. It makes the car seem quicker than it really is because it literally hops off the line.

#958 of 1484 April 1 HCH IMA Service Day by h8_07cvchybrid

Mar 04, 2011 (9:27 pm)

Please join me in National IMA Service Day April 1st, 2011.
 
I have had it with my 07 HCH. Like some of you, I hate my HCH since the software update last November . I get behind the wheel and quickly near rage when I see my average mileage down from 38mpg to 30mpg. Then the bizarre reving of the engine... and all of the rest..
 
Part of my anger with this situation comes from Honda's lack of "customer care". I called my local Honda (Weseloh Honda in San Juan Capistrano, CA) to try to get a software reversal and was told that they were just as shocked about the software and that Honda America had left them high and dry on this issue. I was told that "there is nothing they could do" if I brought the HCH in and that I should watch the internet blogs.
 
The bottom line is I am dropping off my HCH for service on April 1 and plan on leaving it there for at least a week.
 
Please join me in National IMA Service Day April 1st, 2011.

#959 of 1484 Fairly New Pre-Owned 2008 HCH Owner by bobbichen

Mar 05, 2011 (10:50 am)

Still settling in to my HCH. Purchased a 2008 with 45k on it in very good condition. I recently changed out the factor speakers which were a horrible joke. Sound is much improved. Like any rechargable batteries I have, I try to keep the HCH battery system jumping around. Full charge periodically, middle level. It is hard to knock it down to nothing in our flat terrain, but every once in awhile the batter dumps charge on its own (likely a software function designed to prolong battery life). When the battery is being stubborn about charging up I stop and rev above 2500 for a few minutes to give it a boost. None of this has been oppressive, though it does dent the mileage a little. I get about 34 mpg in mostly short trip stop and go, which seems to be pretty darn good. NOTE: My IMA software was never 'updated' and I don't plan to allow it to be until this whole situation is sorted out. There is obviously something to the complaints as to the flash update last Fall being poorly concevied, and likely more of a factor of Honda trying to avoid replacing batteries than improving performance. With my original IMA software I get good pep and very respectable mileage. Until I am absolutely satisfied that a flash update will not mess up my car, I'm not budging on that issue. Good luck all. Keep us informed of your updates.

#961 of 1484 Re: Fairly New Pre-Owned 2008 HCH Owner [bobbichen] by bossless

Mar 05, 2011 (11:34 am)

Replying to: bobbichen (Mar 05, 2011 10:50 am)
"but every once in awhile the batter dumps charge on its own (likely a software function designed to prolong battery life)"
 
You need to watch this carefully. What are the conditions and timing when this happens? Mine never did this until my battery started deteriorating. Now that I have a new battery, again, it never does this. Also, note your charge reading when you power down for the night, and compare it with the charge reading the next morning before you start it up. Mine got to the point where even though it had a full charge the night before, it would not start off of the hybrid battery the next morning (it started from the 12 volt backup starter).

#962 of 1484 Re: Info on HCH Class Action [ttomaka] by bossless

Mar 05, 2011 (11:42 am)

I had a similar experience, even though my milage was not as low as yours. The problem was not solved until the battery was replaced. Since then I have on occasion averaged 50-51 mpg per tank and never below 45 mpg. The electric motor is always available for assist and makes the car seem rather peppy.

#963 of 1484 Personal remedy for IMA battery problems by ecorobert

Mar 05, 2011 (5:25 pm)

Dear 2009 HCH owners:
As all of you I've been a recent victim to the IMA and check engine lights coming on, as well as a battery change. After the two lights of death appeared, I visited the dealership where they told me I needed to rev the engine up for a couple of minutes to recharge the battery before a I left home. Yeah sure; doesn't that defeat the purpose of a hybrid car in the first place?: To not have to rely on gasoline so much? Well, I went home and tried it, but obviously saw a decline in fuel economy and quantity. After a couple of days, I decided to simply let the engine recharge the battery by itself to 2 bars. It does this during the first 2 to 3 minutes after starting. After recharging up to 2 bars it stops and I'm able to leave without the IMA light showing up again (even after the battery had given the degradation indication). The IMA light hasn't illuminated and it has been 3 to 4 weeks since first indication.
 
Today I got my new battery and I'm still thinking if I should try the same thing again. Anyone have any thoughts?
 
P.S. I live uphill, and after getting two bars on battery charge indicator, I'm able to recharge most of it after I reach the end of the hill.

#964 of 1484 Re: Personal remedy for IMA battery problems [ecorobert] by bossless

Mar 05, 2011 (7:10 pm)

Replying to: ecorobert (Mar 05, 2011 5:25 pm)
Revving the engine before you leave home is the most ridiculous advice a car dealer could give. If you have to do that, something is not right. You should not have to live with this situation.
 
With the new battery you should not have to do anything special to operate the car. If you do, there is still a problem. I would just drive it normally and see what happens. If they have to keep working on it so be it. And if they can't fix it you should invoke the Lemon Law.

Messages Page 97 of 149

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