2007 Honda Fit: Original battery dead at two years
#1
2007 Honda Fit: Original battery dead at two years
My 2007 Fit Sport's original battery is being replaced under warranty by Honda because it died today. My car is a little under two years old with less than 11,000 miles on it.
Late December, 2008: For the first time ever, my car did not start. It had not been driven for a week. Temperatures had gotten down to 20F at night.
The car has a Guidepoint vehicle tracking/recovery system and a remote starter installed, both done by the Honda dealer before they gave the car to me.
I had the car jumped and took it to my dealer. They homed in on the Guidepoint and told me it would drain the battery. They tested my battery. It wasn't in perfect condition but it was still good enough to be considered a "good" battery. It tested at about 340 out of 370. I resolved to drive the car at least every other day.
January 8, 2009: I posted in the Fit forums that my car would not start again. This time, it had been idle for only a few days.
I had it jumped again and drove straight to my dealer. Again, they potentially blamed Guidepoint, the cold weather, anything and everything. Again, I sat for an hour while they ran diagnostic tests. These tests showed that my battery was halfway to dead (317 out of 370) but still "good" according to Honda's metrics.
I resolved the drive the car daily!
Today, January 27: The car did not start. It was driven every single day last week and then sat idle for two days over the weekend. Again, the car had to be jumped and driven to the dealer. Again, I had to sit for an hour while they ran ever more complicated tests.
They tested for any stealth current draws. The current draw when my car is "asleep" is only 60 milliamps. This is within the "normal" range according to Honda. Guidepoint is not and has never been the problem. The remote starter is not and has never been the problem.
The battery failed all tests. In just a month, the battery was tested three different times and it steadily got worse each time. This time, it tested somewhere in the 200's out of 370. Finally, I will get a new battery under warranty.
Be warned: batteries have been rationed by Honda. They are having a shortage and thus dealerships can't keep any replacements on hand. They must now be ordered on an as-needed basis using the parts ordering system. This means that I need to keep driving my car with a crappy battery in it until they call me to tell me my battery has arrived at the dealership.
Then I can, no doubt, look forward to sitting at the dealership for an hour. Again. Sigh.
Late December, 2008: For the first time ever, my car did not start. It had not been driven for a week. Temperatures had gotten down to 20F at night.
The car has a Guidepoint vehicle tracking/recovery system and a remote starter installed, both done by the Honda dealer before they gave the car to me.
I had the car jumped and took it to my dealer. They homed in on the Guidepoint and told me it would drain the battery. They tested my battery. It wasn't in perfect condition but it was still good enough to be considered a "good" battery. It tested at about 340 out of 370. I resolved to drive the car at least every other day.
January 8, 2009: I posted in the Fit forums that my car would not start again. This time, it had been idle for only a few days.
I had it jumped again and drove straight to my dealer. Again, they potentially blamed Guidepoint, the cold weather, anything and everything. Again, I sat for an hour while they ran diagnostic tests. These tests showed that my battery was halfway to dead (317 out of 370) but still "good" according to Honda's metrics.
I resolved the drive the car daily!
Today, January 27: The car did not start. It was driven every single day last week and then sat idle for two days over the weekend. Again, the car had to be jumped and driven to the dealer. Again, I had to sit for an hour while they ran ever more complicated tests.
They tested for any stealth current draws. The current draw when my car is "asleep" is only 60 milliamps. This is within the "normal" range according to Honda. Guidepoint is not and has never been the problem. The remote starter is not and has never been the problem.
The battery failed all tests. In just a month, the battery was tested three different times and it steadily got worse each time. This time, it tested somewhere in the 200's out of 370. Finally, I will get a new battery under warranty.
Be warned: batteries have been rationed by Honda. They are having a shortage and thus dealerships can't keep any replacements on hand. They must now be ordered on an as-needed basis using the parts ordering system. This means that I need to keep driving my car with a crappy battery in it until they call me to tell me my battery has arrived at the dealership.
Then I can, no doubt, look forward to sitting at the dealership for an hour. Again. Sigh.
#2
My 2007 Fit Sport's original battery is being replaced under warranty by Honda because it died today. My car is a little under two years old with less than 11,000 miles on it.
Late December, 2008: For the first time ever, my car did not start. It had not been driven for a week. Temperatures had gotten down to 20F at night.
The car has a Guidepoint vehicle tracking/recovery system and a remote starter installed, both done by the Honda dealer before they gave the car to me.
I had the car jumped and took it to my dealer. They homed in on the Guidepoint and told me it would drain the battery. They tested my battery. It wasn't in perfect condition but it was still good enough to be considered a "good" battery. It tested at about 340 out of 370. I resolved to drive the car at least every other day.
January 8, 2009: I posted in the Fit forums that my car would not start again. This time, it had been idle for only a few days.
I had it jumped again and drove straight to my dealer. Again, they potentially blamed Guidepoint, the cold weather, anything and everything. Again, I sat for an hour while they ran diagnostic tests. These tests showed that my battery was halfway to dead (317 out of 370) but still "good" according to Honda's metrics.
I resolved the drive the car daily!
Today, January 27: The car did not start. It was driven every single day last week and then sat idle for two days over the weekend. Again, the car had to be jumped and driven to the dealer. Again, I had to sit for an hour while they ran ever more complicated tests.
They tested for any stealth current draws. The current draw when my car is "asleep" is only 60 milliamps. This is within the "normal" range according to Honda. Guidepoint is not and has never been the problem. The remote starter is not and has never been the problem.
The battery failed all tests. In just a month, the battery was tested three different times and it steadily got worse each time. This time, it tested somewhere in the 200's out of 370. Finally, I will get a new battery under warranty.
Be warned: batteries have been rationed by Honda. They are having a shortage and thus dealerships can't keep any replacements on hand. They must now be ordered on an as-needed basis using the parts ordering system. This means that I need to keep driving my car with a crappy battery in it until they call me to tell me my battery has arrived at the dealership.
Then I can, no doubt, look forward to sitting at the dealership for an hour. Again. Sigh.
Late December, 2008: For the first time ever, my car did not start. It had not been driven for a week. Temperatures had gotten down to 20F at night.
The car has a Guidepoint vehicle tracking/recovery system and a remote starter installed, both done by the Honda dealer before they gave the car to me.
I had the car jumped and took it to my dealer. They homed in on the Guidepoint and told me it would drain the battery. They tested my battery. It wasn't in perfect condition but it was still good enough to be considered a "good" battery. It tested at about 340 out of 370. I resolved to drive the car at least every other day.
January 8, 2009: I posted in the Fit forums that my car would not start again. This time, it had been idle for only a few days.
I had it jumped again and drove straight to my dealer. Again, they potentially blamed Guidepoint, the cold weather, anything and everything. Again, I sat for an hour while they ran diagnostic tests. These tests showed that my battery was halfway to dead (317 out of 370) but still "good" according to Honda's metrics.
I resolved the drive the car daily!
Today, January 27: The car did not start. It was driven every single day last week and then sat idle for two days over the weekend. Again, the car had to be jumped and driven to the dealer. Again, I had to sit for an hour while they ran ever more complicated tests.
They tested for any stealth current draws. The current draw when my car is "asleep" is only 60 milliamps. This is within the "normal" range according to Honda. Guidepoint is not and has never been the problem. The remote starter is not and has never been the problem.
The battery failed all tests. In just a month, the battery was tested three different times and it steadily got worse each time. This time, it tested somewhere in the 200's out of 370. Finally, I will get a new battery under warranty.
Be warned: batteries have been rationed by Honda. They are having a shortage and thus dealerships can't keep any replacements on hand. They must now be ordered on an as-needed basis using the parts ordering system. This means that I need to keep driving my car with a crappy battery in it until they call me to tell me my battery has arrived at the dealership.
Then I can, no doubt, look forward to sitting at the dealership for an hour. Again. Sigh.
How warm did it get on those days? I know there was another thread somewhere talking about condensation as a main factor in poor battery life.
Why are the batteries being rationed by Honda?
#3
Mine was replaced at 28000 miles. I had the same problem, i would drive it everyday then a couple days i didnt drive it and it drained. Then after that, it wouldn't hold a charge and needed to be charged everyday. Got it replaced under warranty. They had one in stock tho and replaced it on the spot.
#4
I'd be interested to know anything you read regarding environmental conditions that affect battery life! I know heat can kill a battery and cold makes a battery less effective for starting an engine, but aside from that I know very little.
Honda apparently is running low on Fit batteries in stock. They're expecting a fresh delivery from their supplier in early February. Until then, they're preventing US dealers from ordering batteries in bulk to have on hand. They must be ordered one by one for necessary vehicle repairs. (The guy at the dealership showed me a memo from Honda they had received so he could better explain why they couldn't replace my battery right then.)
#6
2008 Honda Fit Battery
Yesterday, January 27, 2009, my 2008 Blue Honda Fit Sport Automatic would not start and had to be jumped twice. I immediately went to the service department of my local Honda Dealership. They said the battery was covered under warranty (Bought 4/1/08 with Mileage of 5,000 miles) and would be replaced quickly. Then the Service Advisor came in and said "You are not going to believe this!" There is not replacement Honda Fit battery in Dallas County, Texas and one must be ordered. They kept my car and got me a rental car to drive until my Fit is fixed. I have not heard back as to when a battery will be shipped in. The dealer said that the same battery is used in their Hybrid cars.
What is so special about this battery? (Voltage, size, etc?)
What is so special about this battery? (Voltage, size, etc?)
#7
Yesterday, January 27, 2009, my 2008 Blue Honda Fit Sport Automatic would not start and had to be jumped twice. I immediately went to the service department of my local Honda Dealership. They said the battery was covered under warranty (Bought 4/1/08 with Mileage of 5,000 miles) and would be replaced quickly. Then the Service Advisor came in and said "You are not going to believe this!" There is not replacement Honda Fit battery in Dallas County, Texas and one must be ordered. They kept my car and got me a rental car to drive until my Fit is fixed. I have not heard back as to when a battery will be shipped in. The dealer said that the same battery is used in their Hybrid cars.
What is so special about this battery? (Voltage, size, etc?)
What is so special about this battery? (Voltage, size, etc?)
As for what's special about the batteries... maybe somebody can interpret this memo and tell us. This is the copy of the memo that the Honda tech cited as the reason why they didn't have any batteries in stock.
Originally Posted by AHM Memo
From: AHM Parts Marketing
Subject: Fit/Hybrid Battery Availability Update 31500-SNC-00100M
AHM has cancelled all undelivered single line SNC battery orders. This is being done to balance battery demand vs. current supply and to stabilize quantities being delivered to each dealership.
AHM will proceed to cancel multiple line orders containing SNC batteries. Please note that only the SNC batteries will be cancelled and that the balance of the order containing non-SNC batteries will be shipped.
SNC battery orders placed through the parts center dealer analysts on P015 for known CAR DOWN situations will not be cancelled.
Beginning 1/23/09, only dealers that have a car down can place an order for SNC batteries using the "Controlled Parts Ordering System" via iN. UPO and CPO orders will not be accepted.
This process will be in use until such time that AHM is confident that our supply of SNC batteries has returned to normal stocking levels. Deliveries for SNC batteries will beging approximately February 1, 2009. We will be sending regular updates through iN to keep you informed of battery availability.
American Honda has taken substantial steps to assure a continued and uninterrupted supply of batteries. This is a temporary situation that will be resolved soon. Thank you for your business and continued support.
AHM will also selectively cancel SNC battery orders out of your multi-part orders, but we will still ship you the non-SNC batteries (normal car batteries).
If you previously ordered a SNC battery for a dead car, we'll still ship it to you.
Beginning 1/23/09, you can only order SNC batteries through the parts ordering system for repair purposes.
This policy will remain in effect until we are sure we have enough batteries in stock to keep up with demand. Deliveries for SNC batteries will begin approximately February 1, 2009. We will keep you posted.
AHM is currently hoping we get some more SNC batteries soon before all the dealerships and the customers who have to wait put our heads on pikes.
The 31500-SNC-00100M in the title of the memo seems to be the part number of the battery.
The lack of batteries appears to affect Honda hybrids as well.
Does SNC refer to the supplier of the battery... or do Fits have sealed nickel-cadmium batteries instead of the usual lead acid batteries?
#10
I did a quick search for the part number and came up with a price range of $85-$100.
#11
No aftermarket battery found
I checked on-line with several battery suppliers and not one of them has a battery for the Fit. Seems like we're stuck with Honda for the time being.
Perhaps there is a motorcycle battery that will do in a pinch?
Perhaps there is a motorcycle battery that will do in a pinch?
#12
I saw a discussion about this in these forums. For what it's worth, my dealer strongly warned me against using an aftermarket battery. They hinted it might void the warranty.
Here's the link if you're interested: https://www.fitfreak.net/forums/fit-...-top-d51r.html
It seems to require modification of your car in order to make the battery fit.
Here's the link if you're interested: https://www.fitfreak.net/forums/fit-...-top-d51r.html
It seems to require modification of your car in order to make the battery fit.
#13
Group 51R will drop right in (though it is slightly longer), and most batteries in that size are approx. 500 CCA.
The Fit battery is group 151R and nobody makes it but Yuasa for Honda.
Just get the 51R and be happy that it's slightly more powerful than the original.
The Fit battery is group 151R and nobody makes it but Yuasa for Honda.
Just get the 51R and be happy that it's slightly more powerful than the original.
#14
Here is the battery on a web site:
(US Honda) part's listed on this site:
Honda Parts at HondaPartsDeals.com: Honda Accessory, Honda Car Parts, Honda Auto Parts, Honda Accord Parts
as:
Part No: 31500-SNC-00100M
Description: BATTERY (44B19L-S)
Price: $68.45
(US Honda) part's listed on this site:
Honda Parts at HondaPartsDeals.com: Honda Accessory, Honda Car Parts, Honda Auto Parts, Honda Accord Parts
as:
Part No: 31500-SNC-00100M
Description: BATTERY (44B19L-S)
Price: $68.45
#15
I was just thinking about my 1996 Ford Ranger XLT that I drove for 100,000 miles on the original battery. It still was not causing any problems when I decided to purchase a new one before that winter started up. I drove on the original battery for 9 years! The guys in the garage were shocked!
Cat :x
Cat :x
#16
kinda too lazy to read the thread, but here is your problem: "My car is a little under two years old with less than 11,000 miles on it."
unless you had the car on a battery manager while you were not using the car, your milage is too short to fully charge the battery.
unless you had the car on a battery manager while you were not using the car, your milage is too short to fully charge the battery.
#17
Just got my Blue 2008 Honda Fit back from the Honda Dealer Service Department yesterday (2-2-09) when a replacement battery came in finally. The Service Assistant said that a Honda Dealer in San Antonio, TX has 26 Honda Fits awaiting new batteries. It sounds like a recall is needed.
#18
(Kinda too lazy to give you a verbose reply.)
#19
Just got my Blue 2008 Honda Fit back from the Honda Dealer Service Department yesterday (2-2-09) when a replacement battery came in finally. The Service Assistant said that a Honda Dealer in San Antonio, TX has 26 Honda Fits awaiting new batteries. It sounds like a recall is needed.
Did an unexpected amount of 2-3 year old batteries die?
Is the manufacturer not able to keep up with regular demand?
Sigh.
#20
Honda Fit Batteries
With 26 Honda Fits needing batteries in San Antonio - It appears to be a large batch of defective batteries when installed at manufacturing plant in Japan. My dealer said they are trying to get a supply of replacement batteries to have on hand since it is quite a well liked and popular car.
Evidently the battery manufacturer is having a hard time putting out a good supply of the battery due to the warranty replacement demand and people upgrading their old lead-acid batteries to the new nickel-cadmium batteries and thus an over-demand and limited supply.
The dealer said that a replacement lead-acid battery would not work in the Honda Fit. I wonder if the alternator is different also and will not charge a lead-acid battery.
Evidently the battery manufacturer is having a hard time putting out a good supply of the battery due to the warranty replacement demand and people upgrading their old lead-acid batteries to the new nickel-cadmium batteries and thus an over-demand and limited supply.
The dealer said that a replacement lead-acid battery would not work in the Honda Fit. I wonder if the alternator is different also and will not charge a lead-acid battery.