Intermittent Light Problem

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Steve - 27 Sep 2004 02:12 GMT

Hello,

I had a bad alternator and my car died after running off of the
battery. I had the alternator tested at Autozone (it was bad) and now
my troubles continue. My Brake and Charge lights are still coming on
intermittently. The amount of time my car is running doesn't seem to
make a difference. I had Autozone check my new alternator at the
battery terminals and they said it is alternating between 12 and 16
amps!! My car does begin to run rough when the lights come on. I
disconnected the AC pump also thinking it might have been pulling too
many amps.. that didn't seem to make a difference. Like I said, once
the lights do come on it is intermittent, flickering, etc... I
checked the cleaned and retightened the battery terminals, and the
positive lead on the new alternator. They are all tight. Any other
ideas?? Thanks for any advice.

Steve

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Randolph - 27 Sep 2004 03:08 GMT

> Hello,
>
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> battery terminals and they said it is alternating between 12 and 16
> amps!!

If they "checked my new alternator at the battery terminals" they would
have measured the voltage, not the current. So they probably meant 12 -
16 Volts (not amps).

During normal operation, most (all?) Hondas should have 14.5V +/- 0.5V.
Be sure to step on the brake pedal (hand brake does not count) when you
measure the voltage, as Hondas otherwise will drop the output voltage at
idle.

Above 15 V is not right, and means the voltage regulator (in the
alternator) is shot. Driving around like that is a problem, as excessive
voltage can damage electronic components.

If the voltage regulator is replaceable, you need a new one. If it is
not replaceable, you need a whole new alternator. AutoZone should give
you a replacement under warranty.

A common cause of premature alternator failure is a bad battery. You
should have it tested (just make sure you get your free replacement
alternator before you have anyone find out that your old battery caused
the problem in the first place). If the battery is more than 4 years
old, don't even bother testing it, just put in a new one. If it wasn't
at the end of its life before, running first with no charging then with
over-voltage would have pushed it over the edge.

> My car does begin to run rough when the lights come on. I
> disconnected the AC pump also thinking it might have been pulling too
> many amps.. that didn't seem to make a difference.

The magnet clutch on the A/C compressor draws less current than a single
headlight, so it shouldn't make much difference.

> Like I said, once
> the lights do come on it is intermittent, flickering, etc... I
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
>
> Steve

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motsco_ _ - 27 Sep 2004 16:35 GMT

> Hello,
>
[quoted text clipped - 13 lines]
>
> Steve

===========================

The BRAKE light may be coming on because the brake fluid reservoir may
be low. Doubtful it has anything to do with alternator.

'Curly'

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