Insight Hybrid Won't Start, Battery or ECU Issue?

Hey Mike! I had almost identical issues with my 2018 Honda CR-V Hybrid a few months back. Initially thought it was the main hybrid battery, but it turned out to be much simpler. At the garage, they diagnosed a failing 12V auxiliary battery plus a faulty voltage regulator. The voltage regulator wasn't properly charging the 12V battery, causing those start-up struggles and dimming lights you mentioned. The fix required replacing both components. Started working perfectly after that, no more flickering lights or startup issues. Wasn't a major repair in terms of complexity, but definitely needed proper attention to prevent damage to other electrical components. For reference, my car had about 250,000 km when this happened. These symptoms are pretty typical for aging voltage regulators in hybrid systems. Best to get it checked soon to avoid getting stranded somewhere. Hope this helps, Alex

Hey Alex! Thanks so much for sharing your experience! This sounds exactly like what I'm dealing with. Really relieved to hear it wasn't the main hybrid battery, that would've been a much bigger headache! Do you remember roughly how much you ended up paying for the voltage regulator and battery replacement? Also, has everything been running smoothly since the repair? Just want to make sure I'm prepared for what to expect. Thanks again, Mike

Hey Mike! I'm glad to give you an update! Since my last message, I took my CR-V to a mechanic who diagnosed and fixed the issue. You'll be relieved, it cost me 290€ to fix, which included sorting out the battery voltage problem. The engine control fault they found was actually connected to the low voltage issue, and theyaged to resolve both problems at once. The car's been running like a dream since the repair, no more dimming lights, no starting issues, everything's working exactly as it should. It's such a relief not having to worry about getting stranded anymore! The mechanic said catching it when we did probably prevented more expensive damage down the line. I've put about 15,000 km on it since the repair without any problems. If you're experiencing the same symptoms I did, I'd definitely recommend getting it checked out soon. The peace of mind is worth every penny, and it's way cheaper than I initially feared it might be. Let me know if you need any other details! Alex

Hey Alex! I really appreciate all your detailed feedback! After reading about your experience, I actually went ahead and took my Insight to a new mechanic yesterday. You were spot on, they found the same issues with the voltage regulator and 12V battery! The total repair came to about 310€, which honestly feels like a bargain considering how worried I was. Got to drive it home today and what a difference! No more flickering lights, and it starts up perfectly every time. Such a relief it wasn't anything more serious. The mechanic seemed really knowledgeable about hybrids too, so I think I've finally found a reliable place for future maintenance. Thanks again for helping me avoid what could've been a much bigger headache. It's great having fellow Honda owners to turn to for advice! Best regards, Mike