Honda charging system

Haut Medoc

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Jun 29, 2004
Messages
10,645
My GF daughters Civic's battery light came on today on the freeway.....
I drove home, belt OK.....
Sat for a little bit, started it & it went off.....
Drove down the street & it came on.....
It seems to be rpm related....
Any thoughts?.....:confused:
 
D

DJ

Guest
Re: Honda charging system

My GF daughters Civic's battery light came on today on the freeway.....
I drove home, belt OK.....
Sat for a little bit, started it & it went off.....
Drove down the street & it came on.....
It seems to be rpm related....
Any thoughts?.....:confused:

Did you check the battery? It may appear to be a maintenace free but you can pry the caps off. Make sure there is water in it.
 

Nandy

Commander
Joined
Apr 10, 2004
Messages
2,145
Re: Honda charging system

Go to a Advance autoparts, pepboys or alikes. They will test the system for you for free.
 

schematic

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Jan 12, 2008
Messages
1,102
Re: Honda charging system

sounds like brushes are on their last legs....
 

SS MAYFLOAT

Admiral
Joined
May 17, 2001
Messages
6,372
Re: Honda charging system

Sounds like dirty posts on the battery to me. The increase of rpm helps force the amp draw to jump through the corrosion. Sometimes they may look clean, but they still can cause problems for charging. I would try cleaning them first to eliminate this one possibility. If that doesn't work, do as stated above by taking it to one of the parts stores that offer free testing.
 

Windykid

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Apr 17, 2007
Messages
1,177
Re: Honda charging system

Start with checking battery cables and connections. Check battery fluid levels. Belt tension. While running disconnect the battery, see if it stalls. Check running voltage at battery. 13.8-15.0V.
 

Haut Medoc

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Jun 29, 2004
Messages
10,645
Re: Honda charging system

I guess I should have stated the obvious stuff that I would have checked....
Battery good, connections clean & tight......
Belt good & tight......
Like I said, it is rpm related....
When first starting, it will charge....
When you get to 2k or so the warning light will come on....
If ya shut the car of, it may or may not charge, but if ya go over 2k the warning light comes on....
If ya go to 3500 the light will waver, 4k go off......
The warning light is accurate, if it is on, no charge....
If it is off, it is charging.....
It's like someone is throwing a switch
Thanks for your input guys, but I know the obvious stuff to look at.....
I was hopin' someone on the forum was a Honda guy & had some specific knowledge of these engines.....
It tested fine at the local Schuck's, but like I said, it is intermittant....
Since the cost of diagnosis at a shop is probably close to the cost of an alternator, I might just replace it.....
I don't like throwing parts at something without having a firm diagnosis though...
Thanks again for your input.....:(
 

orion25

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Aug 7, 2007
Messages
386
Re: Honda charging system

I had a 93 accord with a similar problem. It turned out that the ground strap from the battery was almost rusted through at the connection opposite the battery. I replaced it with some 4 gauge wire normally used for car audio installs.
 

puddle jumper

Captain
Joined
Jul 5, 2006
Messages
3,830
Re: Honda charging system

It sounds like alternator brushes to me to. The only other thing that I ran across was theres a ground strap that goes to the valve cover. If this strap is not there or poor connection the engines does not charge properly.
 

Nandy

Commander
Joined
Apr 10, 2004
Messages
2,145
Re: Honda charging system

Since you are taking the alternator out anyway they can test it for you too. But again, you say is intermittent, but if the intermittent returns while testing then you know you hit the jackpot and have more piece of mind by changing the alternator.
 

Haut Medoc

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Jun 29, 2004
Messages
10,645
Re: Honda charging system

Well, I tried to take it out & it will not come out without removing the half shaft to the left front wheel....:mad:
I had it all unfastened & could not get it out..... :mad::mad:
I reinstalled it & it miraculously started to charge again until last night...:confused:
I ain't sure what to do now, luckily it is a spare car, but I want to fix it......
Not sure if I should throw in the towel & take it in.....
Or go the whole route.....
It would be alot easier if I had a lift.....
Some of the work ya do from above, some from below.....:mad:
I would like to punch the guy who designed the placement in the head......:rolleyes:
 

puddle jumper

Captain
Joined
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Messages
3,830
Re: Honda charging system

I would like to punch the guy who designed the placement in the head......:rolleyes:[/quote]
Hummmmmm how many times ive said that.:p
 

Nandy

Commander
Joined
Apr 10, 2004
Messages
2,145
Re: Honda charging system

I started doing my own mechanics in the mid 90's full time. I am not paying anyone for something I can do. Especially at the rates they charge you for a vehicle repair.
 

Haut Medoc

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Jun 29, 2004
Messages
10,645
Re: Honda charging system

Solved!
A chafed wire to the alternator plug....;)
I removed the alternator after pulling out the half shaft....
Took it & had it tested....
It was OK......:mad:
So, upon closer inspection of the wiring (impossible to do with the alternator in place), I noticed how one wire felt flimsy....
It had fatigued & broken inside the insulation, so sometimes the ends would butt together & form a circuit, sometimes not....
I was able to pull apart the plug & install a new spade connector & a small jumper wire with a crimp connector & some shrink wrap....
The auto shop wanted $500.00 for the job......:D
 
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