I'm pretty sure mine's a SULEV.

 

I recently had the same issue as Hellbent with my 2004 HCH (147K miles). I took it to the dealer and they said it would be $4500 for the battery and catalitic converter. I talk to Honda about getting some assistance with the battery, seeing as how I have an outstanding service record. No dice, they refused to help. I guess I will be riding unassisted for a while, till I can get $4500 together. It's is good to know that the car will drive without the the IMA working. Thanks guys.

 

I've been driving 3k now on a battery where the ima came out and went out shortly afterward, it's still out btw.

 

That doesn't sound right. You're under 150k miles, and I was told the battery pack for these vehicles (PZEVs) is under warranty up to 150k. They should replace it with no cost to you.

Even if it says "SULEV" in the window, it should say "PZEV" under the hood. That's what happened at the dealer with mine-- my service writer nearly panicked that he'd have to tell me to pay a bunch of money after telling me I didn't, and then he found the sticker.

Good luck!

 

A 2004 HCH is not a PZEV. The engine runs at all times. It is a ULEV if it is a manual or a SULEV if it is an automatic. It is not a PZEV. PZEV stands for Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle. A Prius is a PZEV because it can run electric only, and the latest HCH and Insights are PZEV, but not a 2004. Texas is not a CARB state, so SULEVs are not covered beyond 8/80K. The CARB states ("green" states) are: CA, NY, VT, ME, MA, RI, and CT.

 

The engine turns off when you stop. Is that no zero emission?
The service writer saw a PZEV sticker under my hood, and therefore was able to replace the batteries under warranty.

 

No, you're not moving. A 2003-2005 HCH cannot propel itself without producing emissions. Auto-stop doesn't count because that's just rolling and any car can roll to a stop with the engine off.

 

I'm pretty sure you are incorrect in your assumptions regarding what PZEV is and why. I'm also pretty sure that in 2004 there were different versions of the HCH were sold, depending on whether or not they were sold in a "green state". IIRC the green state HCH lacked lean burn and had larger than normal cats to achieve a cleaner rating (possibly PZEV) than the standard non-green state version.

I'm going to do a little research and get back to you when I'm more sure of myself...

 

Here it is:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Partial...ssions_vehicle

Notice that the PZEV standard has nothing to do with being able to drive in electric only mode.

Also the 2004 Civic Hybrid was in fact available in PZEV trim:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_Civic_Hybrid

http://www.thecarconnection.com/spec...id-cvt-at-pzev

http://corporate.honda.com/press/art...=2003100849312

 

The 2004 HCH came in both ULEV and SULEV, depending on which state it was sold in. The CARB states back then did not include all those listed above. Some of the states adopted CARB standards a bit later. My HCH is a CVT automatic, sold in CT, but it's a ULEV. Unfortunate in that it doesn't meet the higher CARB emissions standards, but it does have lean-burn which has its advantages.
CARB ratings keep changing all the time, and in the case of the first generation HCH, it is very confusing because they put out the same model car with different emissions standards in different states.

http://corporate.honda.com/press/art...=2003091748461

(scroll down to the bottom of that page)

The SULEV was also an AT-PZEV, adding to the confusion. See this link to define AT-PZEV:

http://alternativefuels.about.com/od...y/g/ATPZEV.htm