Hi I have a 2007 Honda Civic Hybrid, and appears that my 12 volt battery has died. I really need my car Monday morning. Today is Sunday and all the dealers are closed. All the usual suspects (Kragan, Autozone, etc) are telling me I need a special OEM battery...

Is there a replacement 12 volt battery I can buy that is 100% compatible with the Honda battery?

Thanks!

Jim

 

A group 51R battery will fit in the space available. It is slightly longer than the OEM battery. This is a popular size used in many other Honda models. Some owners have installed the size 51R Optima "yellow top" deep-cycle AGM battery with good results. These are more expensive but are well suited to the function that the 12 volt system plays in the HCHII. There is no worry of leakage with the sealed AGM type battery.

Make sure you have your security code available or the radio will not work.

Good luck,

Roger

 

Really need? I would stick the usual suspects advice, if at all possible.

 

Well thanks! Just found and joined this forum today, so I'm not sure who the "usual suspects" are.

But i appreciate the answer. So is that the consensus that the 51-R will work?

thanks to all,

Jim

 

You have only so much room in there so you are limited in what you install. I think Dream'R Gave you good advice. H

 

Take a look through your original posting.

 

My car's IMA, battery and check engine lights went on. First word from the dealer is that it's my regular 12v battery. It would be a relief it that's the case, but did any of you also have warning lights go on when the 12V battery died?

My experience in other cars is that it would crank slowly or die. I never got these crazy warning lights. And, of course, I sure don't want a $3000 battery pack problem.

Thannks a lot,
Lansing

 

Bear in mind that the 12V battery normally does not start the engine, but instead the HCH uses the IMA motor operating off the 158v main battery pack. The only time the 12V battery plays this role is under extreme cold or when the main pack is too low. However, the 12V battery provides power to the various electronic control systems and other accessories, lights, etc. So when the 12V battery fails, it causes these control systems to act up.

As you said, if it's as simple as replacing the 12V battery to solve these problems, you have lucked out. Many others on this site have had similar experiences so it's a safe place to start. Some only manage to get 2-3 years life out of their OEM 12V batteries.

Good luck,

Roger

 

Well, the dealer said the 12V had a bad cell, but after replacing that, the car still had work to be done. The latest is that it has a bad IMA motor drive. First word is that it's covered by my warranty, but they think it might take two or more days to get the part.

Stay tuned.

Thanks for the good info, all.

 

I know this thread is old, but thank you to Dream'R for the 51R alternative replacement to the 151R OEM battery. My 2007 HCHII is 4½ years old and just turned over 120,000 miles (120,670 to be exact). So of course, now everything is truly out of warranty (California has a 7y/120K on CVT and hybrid battery, but when I moved to Florida, my warranty magically got changed to only 80K). I've been having the IMA and hybrid battery problems since 86,000 miles, and the 12V has had to start the car far more than it probably ever should... I'd say at least once or even twice a week. It mainly happens on short trips to the store when I start the car, the SoC drops from 5 or 6 bars down to 1 immediately, then go about 1 mile to a store, shut off, then go to start and it cranks using the 12V. So I got 4½ years out of the OEM battery.

Today I made a bunch of short trips to about 6 places. The weather was crappy here in central florida - seemed like a crazy tropical storm so I'm soaked and pissed already. On my last stop, I go to start the car and the SoC is showing 1 bar and I get nothing from the 12V - all dash lights and interior lights are working, but turn the key and everything just flashes quickly. It was raining so hard I didn't realize the car hadn't started. I kept trying with no luck. Called my gf to come pick me up. I started by going to Advance Auto Parts where I can get good deals (coupon codes and such). I already had the HCHII in the "garage" and it said the compatible battery is a 151R for $129.99 but it said to call store for availability. I called and the guy said "sorry, noone local carries that battery except probably a dealer". So I started searching and came across this thread.

I went back to the site, got the AutoCraft 51R-2 for $99.99 - $30.00 coupon + tax and recycling fee (and refundable $12.00 core charge) so about $76. I went and jumped the car to drive it to AAP and had them install the new battery (for free). When I started the car, the SoC showed 0 bars, but everything else seemed normal. As I pulled away, I got the 1 bar, 2 bars, 3 bars, then the ubiquitous jump to full charge (as if)! Although, be sure to have your Radio security code handy! Only thing I had to reprogram was the clock. My radio stations were still saved.

The 51R is about 2-4" wider than the 151R so the OEM plastic batter cover that went over the battery can't be used with the 51R, but the mounting bracket holds the battery in place well. If you get one, be sure to get the AutoCraft 51R-2 which is 500 CCA that matches the OEM, whereas the 51R-1 is only 430 CCA.