Alternator light not turning off.
#1
Registered!!
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Winnipeg, MB Canada
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Rep Power: 0 Alternator light not turning off.
Hey all, well I've just had a very frustrating experience with a Honda Dealership. A couple days ago, my alternator light came on...when I got home I tested the battery, it read 12.5 V. Good. Started the car, and it read about 13.5 V, good. Put the system under load by turning everything on , and it sagged a bit, but hovered around 13.3-13.6 V. So I thought it wasn't my alternator or battery, and brought it into the local Honda Dealer.
Well, they told me it was my alternator. They said it was just "on the verge" of failing, and that I should replace it. So I say ok. Well, they call me when the jobs done, and tell me that the Alternator light is still on. Now I'm pretty livid, because I never thought it was the alternator, and I really felt like I just paid $500 for nothing.
Now I've got a wiring diagram, and I plan on doing continuity tests to see if all the lines are solid, and then start proofing out components in the charging system. I guess I'm hoping someone here might have some helpful advice on where to look, because I'm not the greatest when it comes to this stuff. I just wasnt gonna give them any more money to spend a few more hours of $110 labor and possibly find nothing.
Thanks.
Well, they told me it was my alternator. They said it was just "on the verge" of failing, and that I should replace it. So I say ok. Well, they call me when the jobs done, and tell me that the Alternator light is still on. Now I'm pretty livid, because I never thought it was the alternator, and I really felt like I just paid $500 for nothing.
Now I've got a wiring diagram, and I plan on doing continuity tests to see if all the lines are solid, and then start proofing out components in the charging system. I guess I'm hoping someone here might have some helpful advice on where to look, because I'm not the greatest when it comes to this stuff. I just wasnt gonna give them any more money to spend a few more hours of $110 labor and possibly find nothing.
Thanks.
#3
Registered!!
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Winnipeg, MB Canada
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Rep Power: 0 Re: Alternator light not turning off.
I've tried. They gave me a 10% discount on the total cost. But that doesnt mean much when I still have the warning light up.
I don't know how much further I could get with this, they seemed to not want to budge anymore.
I don't know how much further I could get with this, they seemed to not want to budge anymore.
#5
Registered!!
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Winnipeg, MB Canada
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Rep Power: 0 Re: Alternator light not turning off.
The ELD unit should be in my underhood fuse box correct?
I just looked for it and in the space where its supposed to be theres nothing.
2004 Civic SI, dont think I mentioned that. Is this normal???
I just looked for it and in the space where its supposed to be theres nothing.
2004 Civic SI, dont think I mentioned that. Is this normal???
#7
Registered!!
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Winnipeg, MB Canada
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Rep Power: 0 Re: Alternator light not turning off.
Not sure where it was made, but I bought it in Canada. The manual for it looks like its not SI exclusive.
So I would presume its CA SI.
So I would presume its CA SI.
#10
Registered!!
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Winnipeg, MB Canada
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Rep Power: 0 Re: Alternator light not turning off.
Yessir, that was my point of reference.
Is it in a different place for Canadian models? The backside diagram of the fuse box makes no mention of it.
Is it in a different place for Canadian models? The backside diagram of the fuse box makes no mention of it.
#11
Registered!!
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Winnipeg, MB Canada
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Rep Power: 0 Re: Alternator light not turning off.
I will look into the drive belts after supper.
Im 99% sure its a US EX. It isnt the hatchback, and the engine is the same as the other models for that year.
Im 99% sure its a US EX. It isnt the hatchback, and the engine is the same as the other models for that year.
#15
Registered!!
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Winnipeg, MB Canada
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Rep Power: 0 Re: Alternator light not turning off.
K, thanks for everything so far Craig.
Not quite sure how to proceed next. Ive tested continuity between the plug on the alternator and the PCM, checks out. The other wires in the charging system are really not easy to get to. Not really confident taking things apart yet.
Think Im gonna have to try and negotiate with the dealership to treat this as a special case, and help me further, at a lesser charge.
Not quite sure how to proceed next. Ive tested continuity between the plug on the alternator and the PCM, checks out. The other wires in the charging system are really not easy to get to. Not really confident taking things apart yet.
Think Im gonna have to try and negotiate with the dealership to treat this as a special case, and help me further, at a lesser charge.
#17
Registered!!
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Winnipeg, MB Canada
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Rep Power: 0 Re: Alternator light not turning off.
Ive gotten to step 8. I dont have the HDS, so I cant troubleshoot it further.
But looking at that, the tech at Honda told me to check continuity on those lines(steps 10-11), never mentioning that safety HDS part. So I may have damaged my PCM.
Is that pdf available online by the way? Also, if you could link the next page of the alternator/regulator troubleshooting.
But looking at that, the tech at Honda told me to check continuity on those lines(steps 10-11), never mentioning that safety HDS part. So I may have damaged my PCM.
Is that pdf available online by the way? Also, if you could link the next page of the alternator/regulator troubleshooting.
#20
Registered!!
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Winnipeg, MB Canada
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Rep Power: 0 Re: Alternator light not turning off.
Ok, got Honda to look at it again, and now they say its a defective PCM keeping the light on.
Being an almost $1000 repair, I think Ill live with the light and check my alternator every month.
Is there any reason to believe they are wrong?
Being an almost $1000 repair, I think Ill live with the light and check my alternator every month.
Is there any reason to believe they are wrong?
Thread
Thread Starter
Honda Civic Forum
Replies
Last Post
trellex
Mechanical Problems/Vehicle Issues and Fix-it Forum
5
05-24-2015 04:39 PM
davidarenberg
I.C.E. (Audio) & Electrical Upgrades
4
05-16-2015 08:45 AM
crowtoo
Mechanical Problems/Vehicle Issues and Fix-it Forum
3
05-11-2015 06:50 PM
cchance85
Mechanical Problems/Vehicle Issues and Fix-it Forum
8
05-09-2015 11:54 AM
SSMatey
Mechanical Problems/Vehicle Issues and Fix-it Forum
4
04-13-2015 06:09 PM