2k6 HCHII software updates - slow acceleration below 6 bars of charge

Sledge · #1 04-05-2010, 09:10 AM

Hello all! Haven't posted to CleanMPG in awhile. Been busy with life and all that. Anyway I have an "issue" with my 2k6 HCH2 and I wanted to see if others had the same experience.

In December of 2009, I brought my car to the dealer for some maintenance and they said my car needed 4 software updates. They did the updates and now the hybrid system has gotten more stingy. If I have 7 or 8 bars of charge, the car accelerates like it always has. If I have 5 or 6 bars of electricity, there is a lot less assist; maybe half as much. If I have less than 4 bars, there is almost no assist at all.

Is this normal behavior for 2k6 cars with all software updates? How about 2007-2010?

My first guess is there is higher than expected battery failures on the 2k6 cars and so Honda partially castrated the assist to reduce the amount of charge/discharge cycles. As long as the car can make it to 80k miles, then the hybrid warranty runs out and they're in the clear. Mind you, this is just a WAG. I don't claim to have any substantial proof.

msantos · #2 04-05-2010, 09:22 AM

Hi Sledge;

I suggest you perform a power reset.

If you do, follow the directions carefully and the car should be back to almost "normal". In any case, please note that the IMA governance routines have changed with somewhat more aggressive regeneration thresholds. In the big scheme of things this is a good thing since the original software implementation was way too relaxed.

Cheers;

MSantos

Sledge · #3 04-05-2010, 09:29 AM

I just found this:

http://www.in.honda.com/Rjanisis/pubs/SB/A09-058.pdf

This fits the issue almost perfectly. The tech at the dealer said they did not document the update versions the car received in December so they don't know what was exactly done.

msantos · #4 04-05-2010, 12:47 PM

I was actually referring to the 09-058 software under the assumption that the techs had applied it along with all other outstanding software updates on the most recent visit.
But as in other cases before, if the software was indeed already applied and you are not seeing the intended results, then a power reset is all you need.

Cheers;

MSantos

Sledge · #5 04-05-2010, 01:44 PM

I'll be visiting the dealer on Monday and hopefully all will be resolved by then. I'll do a power reset maybe later today (though I have some errands to run).

Sledge · #6 04-12-2010, 04:28 PM

Update!

Once again I have called it. There are three software updates to TSB09-058. Only one was installed in December.

Sledge: 2 correct TSB guesses
Honda dealer: pwned

Harold · #7 04-12-2010, 05:17 PM

My 2006 acts the same as yours since up-date. I am pleased with the way the car performs and manages the SOC. My FE is much improved. Just got in from a 40 Kilo. drive and ended up with 3.3 ltr. per 100 kil. Or 71.3 US mpg indicated. I am very happy camper!
Cheers;

H

Mendel Leisk · #8 04-12-2010, 08:42 PM

Harold, have you then had all the software dates? Or at least a good wack of them? Is your assist similar, ie: more reluctant than pre-update, per the OP? 3.3 is disgustingly good, I've come no where near that.

Harold · #9 04-12-2010, 10:15 PM

Hi Mendel;
My 2006 has had one up-date only and I'm not sure which one . No indication on the paper work. It does act like sledge said his was. I find the power is fine. Very short assists as the SOC diminishes. Progressive less as the SOC drops. I find it is perfect for the type of terrain in my area. I can start up a 20 kilometer grade at 4 ltr. per 100 kil. and at the top be at 6 ltr. per 100 k. 4 to 6 % grade. When I return to the starting point at the bottom I never seem to get back to 4 ltr. per 100 kil. maybe 4.3 ltr. per 100 k. I'm not sure why this happens? The results I manage earlier in the day where moderate climbs and not to long. Town and rural 60kph to 80kph max. C.C. on flat stretches.
Cheers;

H

Mendel Leisk · #10 04-13-2010, 02:05 PM

We recently managed 4.1 (in-dash indication) on a trip from North Coquitlam to Harrison Hot Springs, via Lougheed Highway (not freeway), about 200 km round trip. If you're familiar with the area you'll know it's mostly flat, with 2~3 decent climb/descent zones. Traffic was pretty light and we didn't get hung up much. Speed limit typically 80 km/h, lower at various small towns.

Weather was dry, little or no wind, temps around 15C. I gradually drove it down to 4.1, and don't think I could do much better, maybe just a bit.

We've also had one update, soon after purchase, in conjunction with the recall for better protection of the IMA battery terminals. This came via letter. I suspect both of us are not on the same software version as Sledge.