Worst Case Hybrid Scenerio: Battery Failure - GreenHybrid

Delta Flyer · #1 (**permalink**) 02-07-2006, 02:07 PM

Last night at 93,693 miles, the engine check light and the IMA light appreared. The autostop would not activate. Battery indicated full charge, but the Assist/Charge bar was out. Car drove normally and even seemed to have less of a performance drop off then when it recals (that has no occurred in about three months).

Got 80mpg on my 25-mile work commute this morning without an IMA. Lute Riley in Richardson took several hours and $250 to find out:

IMA battery - out
MCM - out
BCM - out

Codes: 1644 and 1600

The estimate cost for parts and labor was $6,400.

Warranty for the 2000 Insight was 80,000. After discussions with the Service Manager, a deal was made that Honda would pay for all but $450 and my rental car.

It's early, but they talk as if it could be repaired as early as this weekend. If they do - it's incredible.

Hopefully the batteries and unit will be superior to the OEM. Have not gotten an answer, but if the techs have a clue to long battery life - I'll pass the word.

tbaleno · #2 (**permalink**) 02-07-2006, 02:36 PM

So for $450 you should be good for another 100K miles or so. Not a bad deal.

Delta Flyer · #3 (**permalink**) 02-07-2006, 02:38 PM

VERY PLEASED!!!!

hawkGT647 · #4 (**permalink**) 02-07-2006, 03:54 PM

It's good to hear it that Honda is willing to work with you.

Good luck with your "new" Insight.

Regards,

tigerhonaker · #5 (**permalink**) 02-07-2006, 06:20 PM

Hey ChuckThat's why I purchase Hondas.

Good-Deal on the Cost $$$.$$

Great;

Terry

Delta Flyer · #6 (**permalink**) 02-07-2006, 07:29 PM

I'm in a rental at a commercial rate - better than retail. My chocies was a small KIA SUV or Dodge Ram pickup. I almost took the Dodge Ram for a day. Anyway, tommorrow they should get a Dodge Neon returned and I'll get that for an even lower rate.

So funny I still brake like it's regenerative. I drive slowly now to avoid a wreck - not hypermile per se.

Nobody knows what I'd do renting a Dodge Ram for a day with a camera....

tbaleno · #7 (**permalink**) 02-07-2006, 07:56 PM

Heh. I can just imagine the poses you would be doing if you had the ram and were taking pictures.

Delta Flyer · #8 (**permalink**) 02-07-2006, 08:05 PM

I was considering making it a poll question as I still might do it.

While it's easy to get the tripod and set the autotimer for 15 seconds, I'm not as professional as some of the guys I take pictures of:

Need a flannel shirt
Need a cap or Stetson
Don't have time to grow a goate
Have not been full of my own bull for several years. Think it's controled by a mutant gene.
Would help if there was time to get my butt up from 185 to 250+

Althea · #9 (**permalink**) 02-08-2006, 05:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Delta Flyer

It's early, but they talk as if it could be repaired as early as this weekend. If they do - it's incredible.

Hey Delta Flyer, glad you got a good deal with Honda. Not to dampen your spirits but... my dealer, as well, gave me the "oh, we'll get the battery overnighted and put it in tomorrow" line, until they discovered that there ARE NO extra batteries in the country.
I've been in my rental for 4 weeks now and there is no word on the arrival of the battery.

Keep us posted on your situation - I'll do the same!
Good luck.

Delta Flyer · #10 (**permalink**) 02-08-2006, 06:25 PM

Today I swaped rentals - from the KIA SUV to a KIA Rio compact car. I know it's losing an opportunity to jump medians. Also wanted to do the butt wiggle swerving lanes....

Seriously, the contact guy at Honda may have a definitive time estimate on the parts coming in Thursday morning.