Quite possibly your battery is already weak. I can't imagine it took you longer than 20-30 mins to handwash your car. It would take a couple hours of the headlights being left on in order to drain a good battery down to the point where it won't start the car. Take your car to an AutoZone or similar and have them test your battery.

Very peculiar, since nothing happens when you turn the key to the start position when your car is already running. There's a relay built in that if the car is running it won't reengage the IMA engine start. Again, I say have the battery tested. Especially if it's the original battery.

 

Really? I believe it comes from the factory like this. If you leave the headlight switch to the on position, turn the key off, close the door and walk away, the headlights stay on for something like 10 seconds before shutting off. At least, that's how mine works.

From my experience, if the 12V battery is depleted, you will not be able to start the car. The reason is because when you turn your key to the on position, the 12V battery energizes some relays, the ECU, and the IMA components. Without that 12V power, the IMA system won't be able to start the car.

If it were the other way around, and the 144V batteries were depleted, then yes, the 12V battery would power everything on and the conventional starter will turn the motor over.

 

TonyK,

Sure anytime. I just picked that up when I was trying to do some of the things you can do with this car. You open your garage door with the switch there on the ceiling in the honda?

 

I'm wondering if you left the key in the on position, and what drained the battery is that power was flowing to all the circuits. Including the power hungry HVAC. Do you recall the key position?

If the IMA motor could still produce a charge (but the 144V batteries couldn't store it) then the car SHOULD be able to run normally. But, who knows...

 

I agree. It'll probably still be several years until one of us finds out the hard way the intricacies of the IMA components. But I want to know about how it works now for some peace of mind!

 

It took probably about an hour to wash and wax my car and then I tried to start it and it wouldn't turn over. Your right I had my battery checked over by my mechanic and if it was near time time he would of had it replaced but he didn't recommend me replacing it. And my mechanic is always trying to make a buck.

I know its seemed really strange why its happened to me twice. I don't hear very well and with this quiet starting motor its sometimes hard to hear it actually starting up. I thought it had turned over since I saw the bar light there on the dash light up. I for some reason tried again and then the enging wouldn't start, period. I had it jumped and it fired up instantly. I think I'll have a second opinion on the battery, soon. Thanks

 

I belive I had the ignition turn off fully but I had it so that the lights would turn off automatically. I didn't pull the keys out of the ignition and I left the car there for about an hour while I cleaned and waxed it. I really didn't notice the lights not going out. When I went to start the engine it wouldn't turn over. I don't know. I wish I knew more. At least I get more answers on this hybrid website than any others. Thanks for the help.

 

Look at the tachometer and you will see if engine is working or not.

 

Apparently it is true that you cannot start the car if the battery under the hood is weak. We had a decent cold weather spell and hard freeze here and yesterday morning with the car covered in ice it would not start. The headlishts worked fine and did not dim when I tried to start it (so the manual tells you to try.) The manual suggests based on this that there is a problem with a fuse or electrical circuit.

Called Honda and chose the option for battery support. They were clueless. Called the dealer and they said they thought it would need to be jump started and asked if I could get the car there. (Wow...that's a no brainer.)

Checked the battery with a meter and it shows 10v which is low. The voltage is coming up some as it seems to thaw. don't want to try to jump start a frozen battery. What's silly is the indicator on the battery indicates "distilled water" and the battery says "Maintenance Free".

I've been having crappy fuel economy for the last few months. Wondering if it has been trying to charge this weak battery. I'll likely get a new battery and see if it helps all the issues. You'd think it could start from the batteries in the trunk but NOT!

 

It CAN/DOES start with the 144V batteries in the trunk. However, the computers and such needs the 12V battery under the hood to be able to power themselves up.

If you're looking to buy a new 12V battery, I hear Wal-Mart's Everstart is a pretty good choice, and at a very good price. Very good for cold climates, as well.