Honda IMA light and engine light on: what now?

Is the IMA light on in your Honda Civic Hybrid, Insight or Jazz Hybrid, together with the engine light? Then there is a fault in Honda's hybrid system, called IMA: Integrated Motor Assist. In most cases the IMA battery is worn out. Below you can read how to recognise this and what the solution is.

What is the IMA system?

In Honda hybrids, an electric motor between the engine and the gearbox assists the petrol engine when accelerating. The energy for this comes from the IMA battery, which sits behind the rear seat. If that battery is weak, the system switches off the assistance and the IMA light comes on – often together with the engine light.

Symptoms of a worn IMA battery

• The IMA light and the engine light are on at the same time.
• The battery gauge jumps quickly from full to empty (often called 'recal').
• The car accelerates slowly because the electric assistance drops out.
• The auto-stop function at standstill no longer works.
• A code such as P0A7F (battery deteriorated) or another Honda-specific IMA code is stored in the memory.

Which models are affected?

Model	Year	Refurbished	New cells
Honda Civic Hybrid	2006–2011	€ 695,-	€ 1.745,-
Honda Insight	2009–2015	€ 645,-	€ 1.795,-
Honda Jazz Hybrid	2011–2016	€ 645,-	€ 1.795,-

What is the solution?

We first read out the fault codes to be sure the IMA battery is the cause. If so, you can choose between a refurbished battery (the most affordable solution) or a battery with completely new cells (the longest-lasting solution). The replacement takes about 1 to 2 hours, in our workshop in Purmerend or at your home.

Frequently asked questions

Can I keep driving when the IMA light is on?
Usually yes: the petrol engine keeps working. Only the electric assistance (partly) drops out, so the car accelerates more slowly and uses more fuel. In the long run the 12-volt battery can run flat if the system no longer charges properly.

Can the battery be 'recalibrated'?
A recalibration can help temporarily with a slightly weakened battery. With truly worn cells, the IMA light almost always comes back.

What does a new IMA battery cost?
At Hybridbro a refurbished IMA battery costs from €645 (6 months warranty) and a battery with new cells from €1,745 (24 months warranty), including VAT, fitting and diagnosis.

{"@context":"https://schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","headline":"Honda IMA light and engine light on: what now?","datePublished":"2026-10-10","author":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Hybridbro"},"publisher":{"@id":"https://hybridbro.com/#business"},"mainEntityOfPage":"https://hybridbro.com/en/2026/10/10/honda-ima-light-on/","inLanguage":"en"},{"@type":"AutoRepair","@id":"https://hybridbro.com/#business","name":"Hybridbro","url":"https://hybridbro.com/","telephone":"+31645893266","email":"info@hybridbro.com","address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","streetAddress":"Signaal 74","postalCode":"1446 XA","addressLocality":"Purmerend","addressRegion":"Noord-Holland","addressCountry":"NL"},"areaServed":["Netherlands","Belgium","Luxembourg","Northern France","Western Germany"]},{"@type":"FAQPage","mainEntity":[{"@type":"Question","name":"Can I keep driving when the IMA light is on?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Usually yes: the petrol engine keeps working. Only the electric assistance (partly) drops out, so the car accelerates more slowly and uses more fuel. In the long run the 12-volt battery can run flat if the system no longer charges properly."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"Can the battery be 'recalibrated'?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"A recalibration can help temporarily with a slightly weakened battery. With truly worn cells, the IMA light almost always comes back."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"What does a new IMA battery cost?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"At Hybridbro a refurbished IMA battery costs from €645 (6 months warranty) and a battery with new cells from €1,745 (24 months warranty), including VAT, fitting and diagnosis."}}]}]}

Fault code P3000 on Toyota and Lexus: what does it mean?

Fault code P3000 often appears on Toyota and Lexus hybrids together with the red triangle, the engine light and the message 'Check Hybrid System'. Unlike some other codes, P3000 is not an exact diagnosis but a general warning. What does it mean and what should you do?

What does P3000 mean?

P3000 means the computer has found a fault in the hybrid battery control system. It is a kind of catch-all message: the system reports that something is wrong with the battery or its control, but not exactly what. That is why it is important to check which other codes are stored in the memory.

Which codes often appear with it?

Code	Meaning
P0A80	Hybrid battery pack worn out – replacement needed
P3011 – P3024	One or more weak battery blocks
P0A7F	Hybrid battery deteriorated
P0A84	Problem with the battery cooling fan

Possible causes

• Worn hybrid battery – the most common cause in older Prius, Auris, Yaris and Lexus models.
• Overheating due to a dirty or defective battery fan.
• Sensor or wiring problems around the battery, for example corrosion on connections.
• A weak 12-volt battery – low on-board voltage can cause all kinds of fault messages in hybrids.

What should you do?

Do not just clear the code and hope it goes away. Have all fault codes read out so it becomes clear whether the hybrid battery is the cause. If the battery is worn, we replace it for a fixed price – see the prices per model. If it is something else, such as the fan, we will tell you honestly. Also see our article on fault code P0A80.

Frequently asked questions

Is P3000 always a broken battery?
No. P3000 is a general message. In most cases the cause is the hybrid battery, but it can also be the battery fan, a sensor, wiring or the 12-volt battery. A proper diagnosis is therefore important.

Can I keep driving?
That depends on the cause. Often the car still drives in a limited mode. Have the car read out as soon as possible so you know where you stand.

Can you read out the car?
Yes. Send us all fault codes via WhatsApp, or let us read out the car. We will tell you honestly whether the battery needs replacing or whether something else is the cause.

{"@context":"https://schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","headline":"Fault code P3000 on Toyota and Lexus: what does it mean?","datePublished":"2026-10-10","author":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Hybridbro"},"publisher":{"@id":"https://hybridbro.com/#business"},"mainEntityOfPage":"https://hybridbro.com/en/2026/10/10/fault-code-p3000-toyota-lexus/","inLanguage":"en"},{"@type":"AutoRepair","@id":"https://hybridbro.com/#business","name":"Hybridbro","url":"https://hybridbro.com/","telephone":"+31645893266","email":"info@hybridbro.com","address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","streetAddress":"Signaal 74","postalCode":"1446 XA","addressLocality":"Purmerend","addressRegion":"Noord-Holland","addressCountry":"NL"},"areaServed":["Netherlands","Belgium","Luxembourg","Northern France","Western Germany"]},{"@type":"FAQPage","mainEntity":[{"@type":"Question","name":"Is P3000 always a broken battery?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"No. P3000 is a general message. In most cases the cause is the hybrid battery, but it can also be the battery fan, a sensor, wiring or the 12-volt battery. A proper diagnosis is therefore important."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"Can I keep driving?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"That depends on the cause. Often the car still drives in a limited mode. Have the car read out as soon as possible so you know where you stand."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"Can you read out the car?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Yes. Send us all fault codes via WhatsApp, or let us read out the car. We will tell you honestly whether the battery needs replacing or whether something else is the cause."}}]}]}

Fault code P0A80: meaning, causes and costs

Do you see the red triangle, the engine light and the message 'Check Hybrid System' on the dashboard of your Toyota or Lexus? And does the scan tool show code P0A80? Then you can be fairly sure where the problem lies: the hybrid battery. In this article we explain what P0A80 means, whether you can keep driving and what the solution costs.

What does P0A80 mean?

P0A80 stands for 'Replace Hybrid Battery Pack'. The hybrid battery pack consists of dozens of cells, divided into blocks. The battery computer constantly measures the voltage of each block. If one block deviates too much from the rest, the system concludes that the pack is worn out and sets code P0A80.

Other codes are often stored at the same time, such as P3011 to P3024. These indicate which battery block is weak. P0A7F (battery deteriorated) or P3000 (general fault in the battery system) also often appear together with P0A80.

Which cars get P0A80?

P0A80 mainly occurs in older Toyota and Lexus hybrids with a NiMH battery, such as the Prius 2, Prius 3, Auris Hybrid, Yaris Hybrid and Lexus CT 200h. We also regularly see this code on the Lexus RX, IS and GS.

What are the causes?

• Age and mileage – after 10 to 15 years or many kilometres, cells lose capacity.
• Overheating – a dirty battery fan or a covered ventilation grille makes the battery too hot. That greatly speeds up wear.
• Standing still for long periods – a car that is not driven for months can end up with unevenly discharged cells.
• One defective cell – sometimes one block is the culprit while the rest is still reasonable.

What are the solutions?

Solution	What it involves	Advice
Clearing the code / balancing	Temporarily equalising the voltage	Usually comes back quickly
Refurbished battery	Weak cells replaced with tested cells	Affordable, 6–12 months warranty
Lightly used battery	Analysed pack from a young car	Middle ground, 18 months warranty
New cells	All cells replaced, original housing	Longest-lasting, 24 months warranty

See our full price list per model. With every replacement we also clean the battery cooling so the problem does not come back.

Frequently asked questions

Can I still drive with fault code P0A80?
Usually yes, but with less power and higher fuel consumption. The system protects the battery by putting less load on it. Do not keep driving for months: a severely weakened battery can eventually make the car break down.

Is resetting or 'balancing' enough?
Sometimes the code disappears temporarily after clearing or balancing, but if there are weak cells in the pack it almost always comes back. It is an emergency fix, not a repair.

What does fixing P0A80 cost?
At Hybridbro a refurbished battery costs from €645 and a battery with new cells from €1,649, including VAT, fitting and diagnosis.

{"@context":"https://schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","headline":"Fault code P0A80: meaning, causes and costs","datePublished":"2026-10-10","author":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Hybridbro"},"publisher":{"@id":"https://hybridbro.com/#business"},"mainEntityOfPage":"https://hybridbro.com/en/2026/10/10/fault-code-p0a80-hybrid-battery/","inLanguage":"en"},{"@type":"AutoRepair","@id":"https://hybridbro.com/#business","name":"Hybridbro","url":"https://hybridbro.com/","telephone":"+31645893266","email":"info@hybridbro.com","address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","streetAddress":"Signaal 74","postalCode":"1446 XA","addressLocality":"Purmerend","addressRegion":"Noord-Holland","addressCountry":"NL"},"areaServed":["Netherlands","Belgium","Luxembourg","Northern France","Western Germany"]},{"@type":"FAQPage","mainEntity":[{"@type":"Question","name":"Can I still drive with fault code P0A80?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Usually yes, but with less power and higher fuel consumption. The system protects the battery by putting less load on it. Do not keep driving for months: a severely weakened battery can eventually make the car break down."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"Is resetting or 'balancing' enough?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Sometimes the code disappears temporarily after clearing or balancing, but if there are weak cells in the pack it almost always comes back. It is an emergency fix, not a repair."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"What does fixing P0A80 cost?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"At Hybridbro a refurbished battery costs from €645 and a battery with new cells from €1,649, including VAT, fitting and diagnosis."}}]}]}