5 most common ways to resolve IMA failure in a G1 Honda Insight

[@thomash681]

One more thing, your blue Insight looks great!!

[@bruceyyyyy]

Thanks for posting! I had to park my insight for now due to the battery. Would love to see your thoughts on lithium swap as well as that's the most likely route for me. I live in a mountain town and the car just doesn't have enough power to get out of its own way with no electric assist.

[@maxstraub61]

Just ordered the pre sale kit! This is exciting news, thanks for posting this video!

[@sicarguy4478]

Thank you for doing the Video...I need to get mine back out on the Road Again!!!

[@OncallPhone-r3f]

Thanks for all the great info, great video!

[@Fire91ful]

There is a missing option here. Run the car with the IMA light on. If you grid charge and IMA light triggers within a few hours or a day or so. Car can still last 2-3 months. I go up steep mountains in gear 2 and drive over 600miles a week. Then charge again.

[@teggy95se]

So for option B “pulling the fuse” do you still turn the breaker off ?

[@gray25xt]

If you're talking about (1) gas-only mode, yes always turn breaker off if not using IMA. In fact you can remove the entire pack with a few mods and the car won't flash a CEL.

[@HirschPower]

This thing is clean!

[@liljeremyshell1179]

and option 6, drop a k series engine swap in the lightest honda made, 220hp 6 speed manual, ohh what fun

[@thomash681]

Did you install the same lithium pack that GreenTec sells- with the Honda cells or did you install the FoMoCo cells? Thanks

[@gray25xt]

I have the Honda cells. The FoMoCo option will be discussed in my next video.

[@thomash681]

@@gray25xt i have a 2000 Citrus Insight with extremely low miles (original pack). I’m swaying toward sticking with the original NiMH pack from GreenTec. I have discussed with “mudder” the other lithium options also. I’m reluctant to deviate too far from “original” with my car due to its very low miles. Although I do all my own maintenance like you, I doubt Honda would even look at our cars with a lithium pack. The lithium is however a huge upgrade for most people. Thanks.

[@gray25xt]

@@thomash681 I think you have to do what you most feel comfortable with. I will say the fact that GreenTec is backing. John‘s product says a lot about how good it is. I’m casually looking for a decent citrus, if you decide to sell it, please do let me know. I will pay you what it’s worth.

[@thomash681]

@@gray25xt ok thanks. I sold my 2001 red Insight a few years ago on BaT. I just missed it so was excited to find this Citrus

[@russellpomeroy4690]

Disconnect the negative cable on the 12 volt battery for 10 seconds and then reconnect it. Start the engine and the IMA battery will charge in 6 minutes.

[@carinagatta]

How much can you get for an insight with battery light on

[@cgresham]

i was listening to the first method, yeah i definitely sent my ima civic 04 over 4200 rpm

[@ripdesoto]

I just checked the website for the lithium upgrade and its now $3295?

[@cls63amgwagon34]

Yeah I saw that too. Any ideas??

[@legomaster5001]

option 6: remove ima all together option 7: k swap

[@murraymadness4674]

The key is to get the car to pass smog check...it fails if there is a check engine light. So the arduino hack wlll do this? Then I can just drive it on gas.

[@xavierdupuis8]

How many miles your Insight have?

[@gray25xt]

230,001!!! Ready for 230,001 more.

[@michaelsparrow8033]

Hell yea! I'm buying Li ion pack! (just need a core both my reg packs are good) Are they fully develooed now? (no longer in beta) And who has a good link for the current hack kit? Love this!

[@xavierdupuis8]

@@gray25xt I saw one for sale with 190 000 miles, and the problem is the IMA so I was hesitant about that.

[@gray25xt]

@@michaelsparrow8033 You need to do some searching. In short NO they are not fully developed, still in beta and may be for a long time, but Greentec is taking preorders. Not sure when it will be out of beta. That said there are probably in excess of a million miles on Lithium swapped Insights without issue, so it's about done. Use at your own risk. On the current hack, search is your friend...I have previous videos on my channel on all these topics that might help you.

[@gray25xt]

@@xavierdupuis8 I've got some videos on this channel you might enjoy that address your situation...in short, the two big things to look for are (1) IMA health and (2) transmission health. Those are the big ticket items that fail. IMA isn't an issue, it can be repaired/replaced. The transmission is the bigger concern. They tend to have synchro issues under 200k miles and fully begin failing due to ISB and other bearing failure past 200k. So before buying any Insight with some mileage you need to consider that. My car has 230k but the tranny was just rebuilt and it is quite nice.

[@Honkers716]

I'm your #42 👍 Hope you get that joke

[@EzraThompsonkizbee]

lol i have one thats battery runs fast

[@DaBossk]

I got a massive hot take. If you dont just permanently disable the IMA battery you are wasting ur time. I got my insight like 8 years ago and disabled it forever on day one. It's nice not ever having to worry about it

[@Fire91ful]

Why is that a hot take?