First post here and could appreciate some feed back but here is what's going on w/ my 2003 SI. I was driving the other day and the charging light came on, not a problem replace the alternator as it was charging at approx 12 volts. I had failed NJ inspection recently and 1 of the fail codes was p1298 which is the ELD. Swapped out the alternator for a new 1 and it was still charging at approx 12 volts...took the new alternator back and picked up a new ELD today at a local honda dealership and the charging light was still on and it was charging at approx 13 volts. I checked the codes again and p1298 was still present along with codes for my speed sensor and camshaft sensor. Cleared out all the codes and the check engine light came on again, the charging light came on again along with a few other issues. My speedo stopped working, the ESP light came on and i'm still charging at approx 13 volts. I would prefer not to swap out the alternators again as it's a pain and really if the car is charging at 13 volts it's prob not an issue w/ the alternator. My battery is about 5 months old and the car cranks over w/out issue. Has anyone else had issues like this w/ their civics and is there a remedy? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

This is common on '96 to '00 models -- known as the "fuse 15 problem", the car does not power up the alternator, and other sensors also. Same thing could happen on others, make sure the "I" wire on the alternator powers up to battery voltage with the key on.

 

which wire is the "I" wire on alternator. I have same issues on my 2001 civic Lx. my charging light is ON for about a year now. No other code. No other problem. all accessories work ok including AC. car has about 11000 miles since that light came on. I changed the battery at that point. Got alternator checked by advanced autos. they reported alternator is ok. it generates 13.5 volts. My NJ inspection is expiring 8/31.

 

I'd start by unplugging the plug with small wires at the alternator, then turn the key on (do not start) and see if the "battery" light comes on. It should not. If it does there is a short in the wire between the alternator and the light. If the light doesn't come on then, the alternator is probably the problem. I don't think that the battery light is inspected, so you can pass if it is on. If the check engine light is on while the engine is running, for any reason, the car will fail.

 

I removed four wire plug from alternator. then turned ignition to "ON" position. battery light came on immediately. So, does it mean that circuit to charging light is short and need to be repaired? How to proceed next? How to locate the problem?

 

Raise the car up so you can safely work underneath it, it's the only way to see the typical "fuse 15" problem area. Check for damage of the wires leading from the alternator where they go across the back of the engine and over the bracket that braces the intake manifold to the engine block.