2007 Honda Civic Hybrid Battery Failures

Honda is generally a darling of Consumer Reports, but this month, the publication released a disturbing finding regarding the reliability of hybrid Civics. Earlier models, especially the 2009 model, appear to suffer from premature high-voltage battery pack failures.

This can reduce the car’s drivability, particularly up extended grades where the engine doesn’t have enough power to assist with the electric motor’s power.

High-Performance Replacement (IMA) Hybrid Battery Packs

IMA is Honda’s hybrid system that does three things. First, it supports the gas engine by providing electricity when needed (and generating electricity during deceleration/braking to recharge the battery). It also has an integrated motor that drives the car. Finally, it recycles energy from the exhaust and breaks back into the battery.

A full hybrid car cannot run without a battery. It has a big battery that provides a starter for the gas engine and supplies supplemental power to the drive motors and other electronics when needed. It also has a small 12V battery that is used only to energize the relays that connect the big battery when you start up, and it runs the 12V accessories and gauges. If the big battery has a low charge, the car won’t run.

In plug-in hybrids, which are conventional cars with an electric motor and generator added to them, the driver can choose whether or not to use the electric motor to drive the vehicle. They can also let the gas engine drive the car when the battery isn’t charged. Regardless of the choice, a full hybrid car cannot be driven without using its battery.

If you have a Honda Insight or other hybrid car, you’ve noticed the IMA Light has come on. This is a sign that there is a problem with the Integrated Motor Assist system and that it needs to be addressed. It’s important to address the issue as soon as possible, as driving with a defective battery can cause damage to your car’s moving parts.

Fortunately, there are a few things that you can do to reset the IMA light and fix your Honda hybrid car’s IMA problem. We’ll walk you through what the IMA light means, how to reset it, and some tips for keeping your hybrid vehicle running well in the future.

The IMA light indicates an imbalance in the battery pack, which is easy to correct. The IMA batteries are made of multiple NiMH cells in series, and each cell has an uneven self-discharge rate. Over time, this leads to cells with a state of charge that is too high or too low. This can be corrected by rapidly charging and discharging the battery cells to equalize them.

IMA Hybrid Battery Replacement

As a responsible owner of a hybrid vehicle, it’s crucial to adhere to the maintenance schedule for your hybrid battery. The battery is the heart of your vehicle’s hybrid system. Neglecting its maintenance can lead to various issues that will impact your vehicle’s performance. These include a malfunctioning hybrid system, a dash warning light, and poor charge performance. If any of these issues occur, take proactive steps and have your hybrid battery checked as soon as possible.

Purchasing an OEM nickel-metal hydride hybrid battery from EnnoCar is an environmentally and budget-friendly solution for your Honda Civic Hybrid. These battery packs are manufactured to the highest standard and carry the necessary international certifications. Don’t ignore any dashboard warning lights! These are designed to alert you of potential issues with the hybrid system. If the IMA battery replacement light comes on, have a professional check it immediately to prevent further damage to your car’s engine.

IMA Hybrid Battery Repair

Owners of hybrid vehicles are seeing their batteries need replacement at a much earlier age than their gas-only counterparts. This is partly because hybrid car engines are less powerful than their gas-only counterparts, which strains the battery. Also, the Nickel-Metal-Hydride battery packs have a limit to their lifespan, and many drivers are hitting that point.

While some hybrid automakers offer warranties that cover the battery pack for eight years or 100,000 miles, more than this warranty isn’t needed to offset the cost of replacing a battery when needed. One alternative is getting a replacement from an auto dealer, which can be costly. However, a better option may be to look into a hybrid battery repair company, such as Hybrid Battery Solutions. These companies can perform the battery installation around your schedule and at a fraction of the cost of a dealership, providing you with a cost-effective solution and peace of mind.

These repair companies specialize in installing and testing hybrid batteries. They use reconditioning, which involves returning the battery to its original charge state. They accomplish this by discharging the cells and recharging them so that they are all charged to the same level. This can help restore a battery’s capacity and turn off the IMA light.

The IMA lights in Honda Insight and Civic hybrid cars indicate the battery is nearing its end. Hybrid car batteries consist of 120 individual cells, only as strong as their weakest cell. Therefore, when one or more of these battery cells fail, the battery’s ability to function degrades until the computer triggers a check engine light with the P1447 code.

If you’re considering reconditioning your IMA battery, knowing the risks is important. While there are several online forums where you can find tips and tricks, there are also warnings against doing this at home because working with high voltage is dangerous. Your safety should always be a priority, so it’s best to leave this type of work to professionals, especially if you have no experience in automotive electrical wiring or battery installation.

IMA Hybrid Battery Maintenance

The IMA battery is the key component of your Honda hybrid car. It stores the energy generated from braking, coasting, and engine braking to help power the vehicle. Eventually, it will degrade and need to be replaced. The good news is that you can do some maintenance to extend the life of your IMA battery.

If your IMA light is on, it means that there is an issue with the hybrid battery system in your Honda Civic. This means that the battery is not charging or discharging properly. In addition, the IMA light may also indicate that the battery is not fully charged or that the battery is overheating.

The best way to diagnose an IMA battery issue is to use a code reader, which can be purchased online or at most auto parts stores. This will help you discover what is wrong with the system and how to fix it.

You can also check your IMA battery health by watching the State of Charge (SoC) gauge. A healthy battery will move through all the indicator’s LCD bars. As the battery degrades, it will move through fewer and fewer of the bars. If the SoC drops below 10%, your car will display an error code P1447, and the hybrid battery must be replaced.

Occasionally, your Honda IMA battery can be fixed by reconditioning it. Reconditioning involves cycling the battery through a deep discharge and recharge cycle. Exposing the battery to different conditions helps restore its capacity. The process can be difficult, but it can also be very rewarding.

However, if your battery is already dead, reconditioning will not save it. Typically, hybrid batteries last ten years or more before they need to be replaced. If you want to keep your Honda hybrid running as long as possible, visiting a dealer for a replacement is a good idea. They can give you a better deal than buying a used battery from a junkyard or an unreliable online store.