Got a new UFO*: 2000 Honda Insight 5-speed (ailing IMA hybrid battery pack)

[Nevyn]

Hmm. You might want to look into either the CalPod or MIMA mods.

[Red]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

Battery = 48 lbs / 22 kg - InsightCentral.net - Encyclopedia - Honda Insight Battery Module

As mentioned, it's integral to the car. I have read that you can remove the battery and still use the car, but a replacement piece of electronics is required. (They guy who refurb's packs will send you a piece to plug in after removing the pack, which lets you continue driving the car while you ship your pack to him for rebuilding.)



That's definitely the impression I get.

I tried fiddling with the clutch pedal height several times when the delay happens, and it's not the clutch switch. The mystery is why the 12v starter spins nearly instantly sometimes, and other times there is this ~2 second delay. I haven't noticed any obvious pattern of conditions.

Mine would do that too. I noticed that once I disconnected the BCM, the car uses the starter instantly. My guess is that even with the battery pack switch off, the car still checks and tries to fire the IMA to start the car, finds a fault, or discovers its off, then fires the starter.

[MetroMPG]

Thanks for confirming it's not just my car!

[RH77]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

Thanks for confirming it's not just my car!

Welcome to the "Dark Side" (and nice find), by the way 167K -- the engine is just now broken-in! Too bad about the battery. I work with a guy who has a 2001/5MT/240K Miles with a lifetime 70mpg since bought new. Ironically The batt is still somewhat good, but the engine uses a little oil. He adopted a policy of gentle accel and 10-under the limit (unless on a 2-lane) and he got amazing mileage. It was very well maintained. They are amazing machines when repaired and cared-for.

IMA is definitely the way to go when you need simplicity and FE, even if abused or in a state of disrepair. It looks like the car is pretty good shape, outwardly too. I hope the project goes well.

Consider the thread subscribed!

-Rick

[jamesqf]

Originally Posted by RH77

I work with a guy who has a 2001/5MT/240K Miles with a lifetime 70mpg since bought new.

71.2 mpg since bought used with 50K on it (150K now). And I drive mostly in the mountains, too, and am not all that gentle :-)

[MetroMPG]

Hi Rick - good to see you! Yes, the motor is in decent shape, as far as I can tell. Little bit of valvetrain noise when it's started cold. I haven't checked the dipstick in a while, but I'm just up to 1000 km on it (1/3 of a tank left) -- 600 mi. -- so I'll check again today. Thanks for the reminder.

[ericbecky]

To keep the engine from going into autostop when you do those key offs, you could put the heater on.

Having the heater on overrides the cars request to go into autostop. It assumes having heat is more important to the driver than trying to save fuel at the stoplight.

Also, give me a call. We can discuss removing the dead weight of your battery.

[MetroMPG]

Cool. Do you know if I can fool the car into thinking the heater's on without actually turning the heater on? It's pretty warm around here these days!

[ericbecky]

Don't know how to do that.
You only need the heater on for a moment, though.
Just at the time it's trying to go into autostop.

I think you can just have the climate control on in general. I know it works with heater or a/c. Of course, a/c uses more power than heater.

[MetroMPG]

Yes - A/C uses an alarming amount of power! Sayonara lean burn at 50 mph.

So sayonara A/C. I've got my A/C bypass mod installed now:




Considering this is the first car I've ever owned (out of ~20) that has A/C, I tend to think I don't really need it anyway. As far as I'm concerned, eastern Ontario only gets really hot/humid weather for a month or so each summer. I can't complain.