My 01 EX is having some kind of electrical problem. First time around it was clearly the alternator, it got a refurb'd alternator and a new batter...that lasted a year. I put another refurbed alternator in it and that lasted about a day before the battery light came on. If I used no acessories (radio, AC, lights) it was driveable. So I said screw it and went and got an OEM spec alternator, the same exact alternator the dealership would have charged me $354 for. Everything was great for a few weeks then I noticed at higher engine speed, say 4500+ rpm, the battery light would flash. A few weeks after that, I noticed sometimes when I start the car cold in the morning, the light would be on. Sometimes if I leave it, the light goes out, sometimes I have to step on the pedal and rev it and it goes out. I asked the dealership about this and had them do an electrical test... fine. Alternator was working correctly, battery at 14.4v, plenty of CCA, basically according to that test the battery and alternator are fine. (note, it did get a new ELD before alternator #2, the one that lasted about a day before the light started coming on)

Today on my way to work, I get on the highway about 3 miles from the house and the light came on and stayed on for 18-20 miles. Not once did the guages / lights go off like they do when the battery is dead. I turned all electrical stuff off and it stayed on. I shut the engine off and started it back up, came back on instantly.

Few miles before getting off the highway, the light went from on to blinking / flashing, then off, with intermitent blinking here and there.

Any idea what is up with this thing?
New OEM alternator.
New ELD from august / september area
Battery is fine
I replaced the ground wire from the battery to the rest of the car, and the braided line from the engine to the frame.

I'm stumped. anyone have any ideas?
Thanks

 

1) Your alternator belt is loose or contaminated with oil, making the belt slip intermittently.

2) A wire/connector in the alternator/regulator circuit is loose and occasionally making a poor electrical contact. Also check whether fuse #4 in the under-dash fuse/relay box is blown.

3) There is a problem in the Multiplex Control System.

 

Thanks for the info. I was wondering if there was possibly a fuse blown or a short / crappy connection somewhere. Is the under dash fuse box a problem to get to? I've never had to go ito that one

 

The picture shows the location of the under-dash fuse/relay box.

My wild guess is that the problem probably lies with a loose/corroded connector or wire in the circuit connecting the alternator, battery, ECU, and fuse box; however, be sure also to rule out an intermittently slipping alternator belt.

[IMG]local://upfiles/25538/684830F0E19740E589856F8FD5724D09.jpg[/IMG]

 

Thanks again, I'll check fuse #4.

I was wondering about the belt also, earlier in the summer I had the big service done, timing belt, etc. I mentioned that the belts were making noise, they said they'd check them out and replace if needed....alternator / accessory belt didn't get replaced.

 

Hey was just wondering if you found what the issue was cause it sounds exaclty what I'm going through with my 94 civic. Except mine decided it wasn't going to start today. Please let me know I'd very much appreciate it.