Honda Insight Hybrids – Broken Ground straps

When I hear of Honda Insight owners having unusual electrical problems one of the first areas I check is the car’s ground straps. Nearly every high mile Honda  Insight that comes into the shop for the first time has at least one broken ground strap.

These wires are crucial to keeping the car’s electronics in good health. Without them all sort of electrical symptoms can occur.

The straps are made of copper and corrode over time, often from the inside out.  So although they look fine visually, when you give them a gentle tug they simply crumble apart.

The straps themselves cost about $10 apiece so it doesn’t cost much to keep the electrical gremlins at bay.