2010 HONDA INSIGHT Engine

This section covers the more
common problems that motorists
experience with their vehicles. It
gives you inf ormation about how to
safely evaluate the problem and what
to do to correct it. If the problem has
stranded you on the side of the road,
you may be able to get going again.
If not, you will also f ind instructions
on getting your vehicle towed.......................
Compact Spare Tire .386
....................
Changing a Flat Tire .387
.............
If the Engine Won’t Start . 394
................................
Jump Starting .396
..............
If the Engine Overheats . 398
.........
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 401
12 Volt Battery Charging System .....................................
Indicator .402
.......
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 403
...............
Brake System Indicator . 404
..............................................
Fuses .405
..............................
Fuse Locations .410
......................
Emergency Towing .412
..........
If Your Vehicle Gets Stuck . 413
Taking Care of the Unexpected
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
385
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The engine normally starts with the
IMA motor. If the engine does not
start while the IMA battery charge is
normally suf f icient, check the
f ollowing:Check the transmission interlock.
The transmission must be in Park
or neutral or the starter will not
operate. Are you using a properly coded
key? An improperly coded key will
cause the immobilizer system
indicator in the instrument panel
to blink rapidly (see page ).
Do you have f uel? Check the f uel
gauge; the low f uel indicator may
not be working.
There may be an electrical
problem, such as no power to the
f uel pump. Check all the f uses
(see page ).
Are you using the proper starting
procedure? Ref er to
on page . 127
405
303
If theEngineWon’tStart
Starting the
Engine
394
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When the IMA battery charge is low,
the starter motor is used to start the
engine. If the engine does not start,
check the f ollowing:If the headlights dim noticeably or
go out when you try to start the
engine, either the 12 volt battery is
discharged or the connections are
corroded. Check the condition of
the 12 volt battery and terminal
connections (see page ). You
canthentryjumpstartingthe
vehicle f rom a booster 12 volt
battery (see page ).If youfindnothingwrong,youwill
need a qualif ied technician to f ind
the problem. See
on page .
Turn the ignition switch to the ON
(II) position. Turn on the
headlights, and check their
brightness. If the headlights are
very dim or do not come on at all,
the battery is discharged. See on page .
Turn the ignition switch to the
START (III) position. If the
headlights do not dim, check the
condition of the f uses. If the f uses
areOK,thereisprobably
something wrong with the
electrical circuit for the ignition
switch or starter motor. You will
need a qualif ied technician to
determine the problem. See on page . 412
381
396
396
412
If theEngineWon’tStart
Emergency
Towing
Jump Starting
Emergency T owing
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
395
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µ
´
´ Start the vehicle. If the starter
motor still operates slowly, check
that the jumper cables have good
metal-to-metal contact.
Once your vehicle is running,
disconnect the negative cable f rom
your vehicle, then f rom the
booster battery. Disconnect the
positive cable f rom your vehicle,
then from the booster battery.
Keep the ends of the jumper cables
away from each other and any metal
on the vehicle until everything is
disconnected. Otherwise, you may
cause an electrical short.
If the booster battery is in another
vehicle, have an assistant start
that vehicle and run it at a fast idle. Connect the second jumper cable
to the negative ( ) terminal on
the booster battery. Connect the
other end to the grounding strap
as shown. Do not connect this
jumper cable to any other part of
the engine.
Connect one jumper cable to the
positive ( ) terminal on your
battery. Connect the other end to
the positive ( ) terminal on the
booster battery. 7. 6.
4.
5.
3.
CONT INUED
Jump Starting
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
397
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If your vehicle’s 12 volt battery is
disconnected or goes dead, the IMA
battery level gauge reading will not
be correct the next time you turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position. It will show less than the
actual level temporarily. It will show
the correct level af ter you drive f or
at least 30 minutes.The high temperature indicator
should be of f under most conditions.
If the engine coolant temperature
gets higher than normal, the
indicator will blink. If it stays on, you
should determine the reason (hot
day, driving up a steep hill, etc.).
You will also see a ‘‘WATER TEMP
HOT’’ message on the multi-
inf ormation display (see page ).If the vehicle overheats, you should
take immediate action. The only
indication may be the high
temperature indicator blinking or
remaining on. Or you may see steam
or spray coming f rom under the
hood.
67
If the Engine Overheats
Jump Starting, If the Engine Overheats
398
Driving with the high temperature
indicator on can cause serious damage
to your engine.
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CONT INUED
Saf ely pull to the side of the road.
Put the transmission in Park, and
set the parking brake. Turn of f all
the accessories, and turn on the
hazard warning lights.If you see steam and/or spray
coming f rom under the hood, turn
of f the engine. Wait until you see
no more signs of steam or spray,
then open the hood.
If you do not see steam or spray,
leave the engine running, and
check the high temperature
indicator. If the high heat is due to
overloading, the engine should
start to cool down almost
immediately. If it does, wait until
the high temperature indicator
goes of f , then continue driving.
If the high temperature indicator
stays on, turn of f the engine.Look f or any obvious coolant leaks,
such as a split radiator hose.
Everything is still extremely hot,
so use caution. If you f ind a leak, it
must be repaired bef ore you
continue driving (see
on page ).
If you don’t f ind an obvious leak,
check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank (see page ). Add coolant if the level is
below the MIN mark.
If there was no coolant in the
reserve tank, you may need to add
coolant to the radiator. Let the
engine cool down until the high
temperature indicator goes of f
bef ore checking the radiator.
1. 2.
3.
4.5.
6.
7.
289 412
If theEngineOverheats
Emergency
Towing
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
399
Steam and spray from an
overheated engine can
seriously scald you.
Do not open the hood if steam
is coming out.
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Using gloves or a large heavy
cloth, turn the radiator cap
counterclockwise, without pushing
down, to the f irst stop. Af ter the
pressure releases, push down on
the cap, and turn it until it comes
off.If the temperature stays normal,
check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. If it has
gone down, add coolant to the
MAX mark. Put the cap back on
tightly.
Start the engine, and set the
temperature to maximum heat
(climate control to AUTO at
‘‘ ’’). Add coolant to the
radiator up to the base of the f iller
neck. If you do not have the
proper coolant mixture available,
you can add plain water.
Remember to have the cooling
system drained and ref illed with
the proper mixture as soon as you
can.
Put the radiator cap back on
tightly. Run the engine, and check
the high temperature indicator. If
it begins to blink or comes on
again, the engine needs repair
(see
on page
).
8. 9.
10. 11.
412
If theEngineOverheats
Emergency T owing
400
Removing the radiator cap
while the engine is hot can
cause the coolant to spray out,
seriously scalding you.
Always let the engine and
radiator cool down before
removing the radiator cap.
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If necessary, add oil to bring the
level back to the full mark on the
dipstick (see page ).The engine running generates the oil
pressure. When the Auto Idle Stop is
activated, the engine is stopped, the
oil pressure is dropped, and the low
oil pressure indicator does not come
on.
Saf ely pull of f the road, and shut
of f the engine. Turn on the hazard
warning lights.
Let the vehicle sit f or a minute.
Open the hood, and check the oil
level (see page ). An engine
very low on oil can lose pressure
during cornering and other driving
maneuvers.
Start the engine and watch the oil
pressure indicator. If it does not go
out within 10 seconds, turn of f the
engine. There is a mechanical
problem that needs to be repaired
bef ore you can continue driving
(see
on page
).
This indicator should never
come on when the engine is
running. If it starts f lashing or stays
on, the oil pressure has dropped very
low or lost pressure. Serious engine
damage is possible, and you should
take immediate action.
You will also see a ‘‘CHECK
ENGINE OIL LEVEL’’ message on
the multi-information display when
this indicator comes on. 1.
2.
3.
4.
288
348
412
L ow Oil Pressure Indicator
Emergency T owing
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
401
Running the engine with low oil
pressure can cause serious mechanical
damage almost immediately. Turn of f
the engine as soon as you can saf ely get
the vehicle stopped.
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