I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but since the IMA is also the alternator, essentially it's like driving a conventional car with a failed alternator with the IMA light on. In other words, the Civic is drivable as long as the 12-battery holds a charge - meaning you would have to charge in nightly.

My source is Mike Dabrowski at www.99mpg.com


....and a earnestly hope someone at Honda comes thru.

 

The motor is permanently mounted to the engine, so if the engine is on, the motor (alternator) is turning and generating electricity. This would allow the 12V battery to be recharged.

So, even if your NiMH battery is dead, the IMA motor should still be able to generate electricity and recharge the 12V battery.

 

Afraid I'd still agree with Mike D (electrical engineer, inventor of MIMA) on this.

The IMA motor may still be spinning, but why is the IMA light on? Is it bad batteries? (P1440), is it a bad Battery Control Module or BCM? Under the rear seat is the traction battery and numerous units supporing it - most of the IMA system. Among other things it has the 12/144 volt inverter - if that's not working for any reason, the 12-volt system is NOT being charged.

I'd plug a tool into the OBDII socked with something like ScanGage to get the code to get a more specific idea of the IMA failure.

Until then, I would not bet the Civic is driveable over the long term.

Honestly hope to be wrong, but would hate for this situation to be even worse.

 

I'm almost certain that the California warranty is 10 years/150,000 miles on the battery...

Yep here it is from Honda's site:

 

The IMA and CEL' on my car were going on and off when my battery went out. I waited a good 2 months - and drove almost 3,000 miles or so.

During that time, I noticed the battery depleting quickly, but never did my mpg suffer more than 2-3 mpg. Car also started up fine, never was anything effected.

I dont know the severity of my battery pack - but hell, I would just go out and buy a functioning unit from a salvaged car.

 

It totally depends on why the IMA light is on. I'm pretty sure that the Hondas will run fine without the traction pack, so long as the other IMA components are working.

This contrasts with Toyota. HSD equipped vehicles need all the main HSD components functioning, including the big battery for the car to work. Only way to back up a Prius is pure electric, they got no reverse gear.

 

It is curious that anyone would expect a car to be warrantied like new after 5 years and 100k plus miles. We are all lucky the 8 year /80,000 mile warrant is as long as it is and that it isn't pro-rated, like a normal 12v battery warranty. Would you expect to have your 12v battery replaced for free or at a discount after 5 years and 100,000 miles? Why is the big battery any different?

 

And that answer can be found probably for free.

AutoZone I believe reads codes off the OBDII socket for free...it's under the steering column most likely. Once the code is known, you can goole it and get a better idea of what you are up against and know if it's safe to drive the Civic.

 

Or maybe we already know?

 

Good advice, near as I can tell. Driving the car as is and searching for alternatives to the $2500 pack replacement might be a valid option.