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My 2006 Civic Hybrid IMA light and check engine ligh came on. Per Autozone/Advanced Autopart code reader, IMA battery is deteriorating. I am the original owner; it has only 98K mileages. How long can I drive this car with a dead IMA battery? My mechanic said If I turn the IMA battery(under the back seat) off, then I cannot drive the car very long because “starter” is connecting to the IMA battery( or if the switch is turned off, then starter does not work and car 12V battery looses charge). So, turning the IMA battery off is not an option.

Honda replaced the IMA battery in 2011 because the first one deteriorating. I don’t want to buy a battery for $2K because I don’t drive more than 6000 miles a year. You guys are experienced, knowledgeable and smart. I need your suggestions. I am asking the same question again. How long can I drive this car with a dead IMA battery? . I would keep it if I can drive it with a dead IMA battery.

 
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I had a 2000 insight and the ima battery went bad in it. 2-3000 was too much so I looked online and found that you can drive it this way and it will just use the 12volt battery to start the engine. Then I found someone who showed me how to take out the ima battery and keep some board to keep the 12 volt battery charged. not sure if the civic are the same way. Drove it like this for quite a while and still got 70-80 mpg. car was so slow and you had to be careful in town cause car needed to be above idle to keep it charged.

 
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Don't turn the battery off. Drive it as-is.
It may be slower and have CEL+IMA warning lights on, but it will run and drive.

Carry jumper cables or a jumper pack just in case?

 
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moved to proper forums...