Between the engine and transmission is an electric motor that makes up the Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) hybrid system. The motor’s primary function is to help the engine accelerate, eliminating the need for a bigger, less fuel-efficient engine. The vehicle can only be operated with an electric motor in sluggish, parking lot-style motion, and the electric motor initiates motion when the engine is idle and stopped. The electric motor transforms into a generator as the car slows down and brakes, producing electricity that is then re-stored in the battery. See the video to find out more.
Not all models may be covered by the content. For detailed information regarding your, refer to your owner’s handbook.
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What does “IMA” in a Honda Insight mean?
The hybrid technology created especially for Honda hybrids is known as IMA, or Integrated Motor Assist. This indicator light typically indicates that you need to replace your entire battery or perform maintenance on your battery pack.
What occurs if the IMA battery runs out?
Your car will accelerate more slowly and feel more sluggish than usual. Your IMA is failing to support your engine properly, which is why this occurs. As a result, the combustion engine has to work harder, producing less power because the hybrid battery’s backup power isn’t available.
How long does the IMA battery in a Honda Insight last?
Remember that the 10-year/150,000-mile guarantee on the Honda Insight’s IMA battery means that the typical model should travel at least that far before the battery pack may need to be replaced. With the right maintenance and care, it will frequently last a lot longer.
An IMA battery is what?
The term “Integrated Motor Assist,” or IMA, refers to the hybrid vehicle technology Honda unveiled in 1999 with the Insight, a model that has been extremely well-liked ever since it was introduced.
The IMA is a parallel hybrid system that uses an electrical motor positioned between the transmission and internal combustion engine of the car to propel it at low speeds and act as a backup for the conventional engine. The IMA battery serves to power the electrical motor that propels the automobile before the internal combustion engine takes over. It is a unique battery that is independent from the car’s normal battery. IMA batteries are nickel-metal hybrid batteries (NiMH units) that replenish their energy reserves during regenerative braking, which occurs when the vehicle slows down.
The Honda ima battery packs typically last between 7 and 10 years, but in many cases (if the car is driven properly and the manufacturer’s recommendations and instructions regarding charging and maintenance are followed), the pack will function flawlessly for much longer than it is warranted for. The main reason Honda models are replaced by the owner, however, is not the battery’s fault, but rather the owner’s desire to have a new car.
What is the price of an IMA battery?
Honda used to be the magazine Consumer Reports’ favorite brand of car since all of its models consistently had testing results that were above average.
The 2012 Honda Civic was the first Civic we can recall that CR didn’t recommend, partly because of a redesign that was hurried to market to save money. This diminished the publication’s excitement for the Honda brand.
Consumer Reports has just reported that earlier Honda Civic Hybrid cars, which were previously thought to be trustworthy, may experience early high-voltage battery pack failures.
The Consumer Reports April edition takes a look at the dependability of hybrid vehicles, as Autoguide explains. In comparison to the competition, the earlier Honda Civic Hybrids, especially the 2009 model, fall short.
Nearly 20% of 2009 Honda Civic Hybrid owners needed a battery replacement during the course of a 12-month survey, compared to over 10% for 2003, 2004, and 2010 Civic Hybrid vehicles.
The price of replacing the battery that powers the Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) technology for owners outside of warranty can range from $2,000 to $4,000. That’s a significant outlay for a non-luxury car that’s less than ten years old.
The IMA drive battery’s warranty has been extended via a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB), however Honda has not made an official remark on the subject.
While automobiles initially sold with an eight-year, 80,000-mile guarantee are now covered for nine years or 96,000 miles, cars originally offered with a ten-year, 100,000-mile warranty are now covered for eleven years or 137,000 miles.
The guarantee is also extended to customers who have already changed the drive batteries, but it is just for an additional three years or 36,000 miles.
The carmaker asserts that a software update (for Civic Hybrid vehicles built in 2006–2008) contributed to the IMA battery’s increased longevity, and it makes the commitment to “continue to give our customers with the most advanced technology as it becomes available.
Especially outside of the new and extended warranty coverage, that offers little consolation to the customers who have had to replace their IMA batteries.
How can a faulty IMA battery be identified?
No matter the brand or model, you’ll probably notice at least one of the following signs when the battery in a hybrid car starts to fail.
A decrease in fuel economy
If you’re not receiving the recommended gas mileage, the battery is probably on its way out. The hybrid vehicle’s battery serves to supply power to power your car. Therefore, when the battery starts to fail, your automobile switches back to using the gas combustion engine as its power source. An obvious symptom that the battery is failing is an increase in gas station stops.
Fluctuations in the state of charge
Does your display indicate a fluctuating charge? Does this mean your battery is fully charged at one point yet critically low at another? The battery in the car can be overcharging or unable to maintain a charge.
The battery’s not holding a charge
A clear indication that your hybrid vehicle’s battery need diagnostic care is when you park your car overnight and leave it charged, only to find it has a low battery when you get back in the morning.
The internal combustion system runs more than it should
An internal combustion engine that starts running more frequently than it should or starts up at odd times is trying to tell you something. It’s time to schedule a battery inspection for as soon as possible.
Can a Honda Insight be driven without IMA?
The main worry with the failing battery pack (ODB codes P1447 and P1449) is that it won’t be able to supply power to the 12 volt battery underneath the hood (which functions as an alternator with its DC-to-DC converter), leaving you stranded and unable to start the car. When you search online, you ultimately come across the aforementioned article and some forum discussions about how the hybrid battery must be bypassed in order for this to function.
So I did exactly that. I was able to quickly turn off the hybrid battery pack and unhook the Battery Control Module with a few sockets, a Torx T30 bit, and about an hour (BCM). The automobile, however, had a very difficult time starting when I tried to start it again. I went to my neighborhood auto parts shop for a free test because I was certain it was my tiny under-the-hood battery at that point. The battery was functional but required recharging. So, at 2500 RPMs, I took a one-hour drive on the highway. The battery and brake lights turned on when the RPM exceeded 4000, but if the RPM dropped below 3000 for much than a minute, the lights would turn off again. This ought to have been my first indication.
The battery had improved, but not enough, and it would no longer start on its own when I tested it once again. Since I drive a manual transmission, I had to push-start it to get it moving once more. To make a long tale short, it was time to use a multimeter and do some testing. The results showed a loss of charging when the engine was idling and a gain at higher RPMs, but the car was completely impossible to start. We had reached a few conclusions after meeting with my Honda Dealership representative and a third-party hybrid expert:
- Some Honda Insights will continue to function for a considerable amount of time without disabling the hybrid battery (lights on/off, charge/assist working and not working).
- The bypass is no longer advised because it might or might not work.
According to my research, the trick’s necessity for the original IMA systems is the reason it might or might not work. However, keep in mind that I had my pack changed in 2008 (there was no sticker on the BCM when I opened things up; my second clue). Honda changed the BCM along with the pack, eliminating the need for the trick. Therefore, the choice is already decided for you: the bypass will be required if you have an original bundle. Due to the 10-year guarantee, I assume that 99% of Honda Insights have had the item changed, thus it is not required.
Of course, you’ll need a replacement battery pack if you need to pass an emissions test because the Check Engine Light will be on. (It was a good run, but I’ll be retiring my Insight 3 months before it turns 15).
Does it make sense to swap out a hybrid battery?
They might also inquire as to whether an investment in a hybrid battery is worthwhile. Hybrid batteries, on the other hand, won’t just save you money over time by lowering your trips to the petrol station; their longer lifespan also means you’ll spend less money on maintenance.
Does the Honda Insight have a hybrid battery?
Indeed, the Civic and Insight can function without the IMA. The charge of the 12V battery is the only thing you lose. Running a standard automobile with a bad alternator is comparable to this. When you are driving at night with the lights on, the 12V battery will run out of power after 30 minutes. The 12V charging system’s power source is the IMA battery, which is charged by the IMA controller. Alternatives to that problem include: 1. You could run the car with the lights on for six or more hours using a larger 12V deep cycle battery that you charge each night off the grid. 2. Fitting the vehicle with an alternator. Carl Brown has some fresh thoughts on this subject. “Mike, I saw a query regarding running the Insight without IMA installed on the FAQ section of your website. You might find it interesting that the remaining IMA parts will continue to charge the 12V battery even when the HV battery pack is removed, provided that the MCM is fully attached and the BCM low voltage connector is likewise unplugged. The only exception is that when engine RPM rises above 4000, 12V battery charging is momentarily halted. I’m now replacing my battery pack, so I’m currently driving the Insight on pure gas (with very terrible acceleration).” I’m amazed at how much I learn every day. Regards, Carl.
What issues are there with Honda Insights?
Low-density impellers are found inside the fuel pumps of the Honda Insight. By using them, the amount of gas that gets to the engine is decreased. Honda has already had to recall two gasoline pumps due to defects. For the Honda Insight, there have already been more than 2 million repairs of faulty gasoline pumps.
Why are Honda Insight sales so low?
Honda has chosen to stop making the Insightagain because it wants to concentrate on making the electric CR-V, Accord, and Civic. In June, Honda’s Indiana assembly facility, which now produces the Insight, will convert to producing the CR-V and Civic hatchbacks.
How much does a Honda Insight battery cost?
Between $2,322 and $2,381 is the typical price range for a Honda Insight hybrid high voltage battery replacement. Between $224 and $282 is predicted to be spent on labor, while $2,099 is the cost of the parts.