Preparation: Have the following ready before starting the install 1. 3/8 drive metric wrench set 2. small flat blade screwdriver 3. philip screwdriver 4. scissors 5. diagonal cutters 6. torx driver (T-30) 7. Flat or satin finish black spray 8. Hacksaw or other hand saw 9. 8mm box or open end 10. 2" wide fabric duct tape 11. Black tape 12. Bench vice or vice grip pliers 13. Utility knife 14. 1/4" drill 15. denatured pure grain alcohol
MIMA upholstery tool: A stainless steel tool has been included with your MIMA system. This tool can pop out the upholstery fasteners,pry up the small black screws on the rear cover, and can also be used to pry out a tough connector on the MCM and ECM.
Shift console removal Unscrew the shift knob by turning it counter clockwise until it is off the screw.
Remove the four screws (2 on each side) at the corners of the shift console cover, and pop out the plastic plugs with the upholstery tool. The shift console cover should now lift right out of the car. The plugs are in there pretty good, so pry carefully with the tool provided. If the plug breaks, you will have to get a replacement from your Honda parts department.
Remove rear storage compartment Danger you are about to open the High Voltage area of the car. Always leave the battery switch off while the cover is removed, unless instructed to by these instructions.
Remove all the torq and 10mm bolts from the rear covers.
opening the IMA box
First open the metal cover in the center of the rear IMA area, and after pulling the red plastic cover off the switch, flip the switch to off, and replace the red cover to keep it off.
Continued... Once all of the cover screws are removed, the HV switch turned off, and the final black screw in the HV disconnect switch area is removed, the aluminum cover can be removed. Don't forget the small aluminum cover on the passenger rear hatch area. This cover has a variety of different bolts and screws the plastic screws on the front look like standard Philips, but may not unscrew, and will need to be pried out. There are two bolts on the back, one is hidden by the carpeting. Finally the plastic push plugs will need to be pried out. Once this panel is out, the big cover should easily lift out. Final step is to remove the negative wire from the 12V battery(caution when this is disconnected, the rear hatch can only be opened with a key)
Removing the IMA cover
Dont scratch the fabric
Now that we have all of the screws and bolts out of the cover, and the power switch has been flipped off for a few minutes, we are ready to remove the cover and expose the wonders of the Insight IMA box.
The IMA box
IMA components
Get familiar with the components and their locations as I will be referencing them in the instructions.
Removing the battery and MPI foam
removing the foam
Carefully remove the white foam covers from the battery module and the MPI module.
Removing the passenger seat
Removing the passenger seat
We have found that running cables under the rug is so much easier if the rug is loosened by removing the passenger seat, that I am now adding this to the install procedure. The bolts that mount the seats are difficult to remove as they have a form of locktite on the threads, so use at least a 3/8" drive to remove them. Once the seat is loose, take off the seat belt, so the seat can be completely removed from the car.
