Convoluted Question/Problem with Charging System Error

[josbo001]

This is my new hell.

As previously posted (....Another CR-Z Rear Ended), I just got my CR-Z back from 7 weeks in the body shop after being rear ended. While it was there, they took it to the dealer to remove the nickel metal hydride 100V battery (100V). They fixed the floor pan and had the dealer re-install the 100V battery and run it through some tests to be sure it was re-installed properly.

I got my car back on Saturday- drove it Saturday, drove it Sunday and drove it to work Monday AM (about 30 miles total). No problems. The only thing that has changed on my end is that I'm using my old iPhone instead of my old iPod for music (both are left in the car, plugged in, at all times).

Monday evening, I get in my car, turn on the rear defroster, a little heat, wait for the cold engine light to go away, then drive home. I noticed that the rear defroster was barely working. About 12 miles into my 15 mile commute, on the exit ramp, the car starts beeping. The battery light (red one with +/- sign) comes on, as does the multifunction display which reads "Check Charging System."

I turned off the defroster/heat/radio and cruised home- no noticeable difference in performance, and heard the alarm about 4 more times. Read the manual in the driveway, and page 300 says the alarm is generally for the 12V battery but sometimes can indicate a problem with the 100V battery. Husband swears the car smelled funny (electrical problems funny), but I think it was the neighbor's fireplace.

Car started right up this morning, and I drove it to the dealer to figure out what is going on. There were no more "Check Charging System" alarms and it drove like it always does- though, I wasn't running lights, radio or heat/defroster.

Dealer says: 12V battery is testing fine, but the rear defroster is working intermittantly and diagnostics indicate the fan is not cooling the 100V battery. I get, "We need to tear it apart" and "It might be your alternator." What a joke! While my helper guy was talking to another employee, I snuck a look at his computer screen to see what had been done to my car. To my surprise, I saw a field reading "IMA Battery smoking- check and advise." !!!!! I asked him what was up with the smoking battery no one told me about, and he said the body shop brought it to them because the battery was smoking. I assume this was AFTER the dealer had re-installed it.

Because this might be covered under the body shop's warranty/rental car agreement, I get sent back to the body shop (already, they're trying to blame each other). On my way there, I drove it hard and got my 100V assist bars to reach their maximum reading. So, it seems the 100V battery is communicating with the car.

Body shop says there was never a smoking battery. Body shop says they are taking the car to another dealer for diagnostics (someone more competent, in their words) and will get in touch with me later regarding the results.

Does this sound like a 12V battery problem (defroster doesn't work) or a 100V battery problem (car started this morning, weird "smoking" battery issue) or both? Does anyone know if the info I snuck a peek at will be forever in the car's work log at Honda (meaning, someone can't delete it/cover it up)? Has anyone ever had this warning light pop up and not been able to recreate it?

Also, I saw another weird thing on their log. It said the passenger lock wasn't working and under the list of action taken were the words "recall."

I feel so conspiracy theory right now. And I'm pissed because it sounds like someone is lying to me!

Will update if I get any info.

[gsilvers]

The defroster is on the 12v loop. But if your engine is auto stopped it is the IMA feeding the juice to that. I don't think the IMA is the cause though, if you had a bum battery you'd notice issues when putting the largest load on it, driving. If you had rear end damage its just as likely that the repair done to the defroster wiring was bad.

As far as smells weird.... I think my car smells weird every time someone else works on it perhaps its a male thing.

If your car is a manual there was a recall for a computer reprogram, if you did not have it done thats what the recall work was.

[Koala Yummies]

Originally Posted by josbo001

Dealer says: diagnostics indicate the fan is not cooling the 100V battery. I snuck a look at his computer screen to see what had been done to my car. To my surprise, I saw a field reading "IMA Battery smoking- check and advise." !!!!! I asked him what was up with the smoking battery no one told me about, and he said the body shop brought it to them because the battery was smoking. I assume this was AFTER the dealer had re-installed it.

When you looked at the monitor did you see any DTC codes listed?

There is a malfunction code for that fan:

"DTC P1448 Intelligent Power Unit (IPU) Module Fan Problem" is the only DTC for the fan, and depending on what shows up for DTC P1634, will determine what course of action to take. Could be the module, the fan or the harness. That is what the Helm service manual says for the IPU Module Fan.

I would suspect that if the fan were not working properly, it could lead to damage to the 100V battery.

[josbo001]

Gsilvers - yeah, I had been thinking maybe the defroster didn't get hooked up correctly after the accident. But that wouldn't be draining my 12V, I don't think. Maybe I have a fading 12V battery like some other users have posted about. Mine is a CVT, and there are no published recalls on the OwnerLink site for my VIN number.

Koala Yummies - No DTC codes were spied. It was just a very quick glance at his office computer screen. Hopefully, they'll have it taken apart and figured out by tomorrow. Hopefully it's just the 12V. I'll ask them for the codes so I can look the crap up myself.

[josbo001]

Koala Yummies- do you ride Ventura Blvd @ Lankershim east around 920/930AM? You're in my area and I see a white CR-Z there all the time. Just wonder if it's you.

[Koala Yummies]

Yeah I am in that area pretty often, do you live around there? Next time I go through Ventura @ Lankershim I can hold down the horn and you'll know for sure

Here's hoping the problem is just the 12V battery.

[haviruzz@gmail]

"Dealer says: 12V battery is testing fine, but the rear defroster is working intermittantly and diagnostics indicate the fan is not cooling the 100V battery. I get, "We need to tear it apart" and "It might be your alternator." What a joke! While my helper guy was talking to another employee, I snuck a look at his computer screen to see what had been done to my car. To my surprise, I saw a field reading "IMA Battery smoking- check and advise." !!!!! I asked him what was up with the smoking battery no one told me about, and he said the body shop brought it to them because the battery was smoking. I assume this was AFTER the dealer had re-installed it. "

If the dealer said it might be alternator, I'd sure look for another dealer cause there ain't no alternator. It's an "inverter." Huge difference in purpose and cost.

[josbo001]

Well, Honda said both batteries check out fine and they decided to "reprogram the computer." No more 100V cooling fan error message. Guess I'll drive it around and see if the Check Charging System light comes on again. Maybe it has something to do with sitting idle in the body shop for 7 weeks??

PS- Dealer now says there was never any "smoking battery" and that the only reason it was written as such is because the man who towed it from the body shop said it was smoking. Communication breakdown?

Koala-Yummies Yeah, I live in Studio City off Ventura, near Lankershim so I guess I'm seeing you occassionally on my way to work. My Z is black. I'll honk if I see you again. I honk at all CR-Zs, but mostly I just get weird looks.

Haviruzz - Yeah, I was laughing on the inside when he said I might need a new alternator. But, he's just a paper pusher as far as I'm concerned, so I'll cut him some slack. That being said, I wouldn't be surprised if this dealer just gave up looking for what caused my battery error message. If it happens again, I'll probably try another dealer.