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Battery warning light

Tiny
VITOQUES
  • MEMBER
  • 1991 HONDA CIVIC
Electrical problem 4 cyl Two Wheel Drive Manual 176000 miles

i just replaced battery, alternator, sparkplugs, cables and distribuitor but it's still not starting but it only does it once in a while because some days it works great and some days I have to jump it in order to start I also cleaned the conections to the alternator but it is still displaying the battery warning light. I understand its an old car but if there is anythingelse I could do please let me know thanks
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Saturday, November 14th, 2009 AT 10:15 AM

36 Replies

Tiny
F4I_GUY
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,302 POSTS
Check the power wire running from the alternator to the battery. Perform a voltage drop test on it. Anything more than 0.3V is unacceptable.
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Saturday, November 14th, 2009 AT 8:38 PM
Tiny
PMP
  • MEMBER
  • 177 POSTS
  • 1998 HONDA CIVIC
  • 4 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 148,000 MILES
Hi, I had a problem starting the car yesterday it would crank but not start. Today its been running fine almost all day long and starting fine. The battery light came on prolly 5 times today when I start the car then I give it a little gas and the light goes off. I had the alternator and battery checked and there both fine. The guy said the alternator is pushing out like 14 volts I think. Battery terminals are tight too. What could be happening?
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Sunday, November 26th, 2017 AT 8:20 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,885 POSTS
You are dealing with two different issues. As far as the battery light, that is to indicate the alt isn't charging. That alt may be in the process of going bad or the voltage regulator. The 14+ volts is normal with the engine running.

As far as the no start, if it happens again, check to see if there is spark and fuel to the engine. One will most likely be missing. At that point, we will know what circuit to focus on.

If you need directions, go to our homepage under the DIY section for detailed directions and a video.
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Sunday, November 26th, 2017 AT 8:20 PM (Merged)
Tiny
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  • 177 POSTS
Why does the battery light come on random though? Also the battery is staying charged. Should I buy another alternator. If so which reman should I buy bosch or denso?
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Sunday, November 26th, 2017 AT 8:20 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,885 POSTS
The alt or regulator may be working most of the time, but my fail on and off. As far as brand, I'm not permitted to recommend any. But, both that you mentioned are fine. You may want to wait until it gets worse to confirm the alternator is the problem. Also, if the light is on and off, it most likely isn't having an affect on things because the battery is fully charged, the charging stops, then restarts. It never allows the battery to get low enough to be an issue.
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Sunday, November 26th, 2017 AT 8:20 PM (Merged)
Tiny
PMP
  • MEMBER
  • 177 POSTS
Well what else can it be other then the alternator? The battery is brand new a week old. I had the charging system checked at advanceauto and everything was good.
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Sunday, November 26th, 2017 AT 8:20 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,885 POSTS
That is what the light is indicating.
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Sunday, November 26th, 2017 AT 8:20 PM (Merged)
Tiny
PMP
  • MEMBER
  • 177 POSTS
  • 1998 HONDA CIVIC
  • 4 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 148,000 MILES
Hi, This happens once in a while. Seems to only come on at a cold start after car has been sitting a while. The battery light comes on when I start the car sometimes but ill give it a little gas and it goes right off. Brand new battery as of yesterday. Battery cables are fully tight. Any suggestions?
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Sunday, November 26th, 2017 AT 8:20 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
Do you have a multimeter?If so hook the meter up start it when cold and see what the voltage is reading when the battery light is on. My guess is your alternator is starying to fail also do you get any belt sqeaul when the light is on.
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Sunday, November 26th, 2017 AT 8:20 PM (Merged)
Tiny
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I dont wanna wait too long and break down somewhere. My next door neigbor said that if the diode isnt workin then AC current is being pushed in the system and can blow my ecu. Is this true?
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Sunday, November 26th, 2017 AT 8:20 PM (Merged)
Tiny
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I dont have a multimeter and its really random when it comes on. No belt sqeaul but my belts are old and need to be replaced. Can I have it checked when the car is hot? Also if I do need an alternator would a worldwide alternator from advanceauto be fine? Comes with lifetime warrenty
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Sunday, November 26th, 2017 AT 8:20 PM (Merged)
Tiny
PMP
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  • 177 POSTS
Can I do it when the car is warmed up? I dont have a multimeter id have to drive to a friends house and the light comes on once in a while its random. No belt sqeaul but all the 3 belts need to be replaced thdere old and crackly. If I need an alternator what brand can I go with I see advanceauto has once for like 100 with lifetime warrenty called worldwide alternators?
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Sunday, November 26th, 2017 AT 8:20 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RIVERMIKERAT
  • MECHANIC
  • 6,110 POSTS
There are only a few actual companies that manufacture or remanufacture alternators. Advance is just as good as any other.
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Sunday, November 26th, 2017 AT 8:20 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SUSAN163
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1990 HONDA CIVIC
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 154,000 MILES
1990 Honda Civic 4 cyl Two Wheel Drive Automatic 154000 miles

Battery light come on -- replaced battery. Battery light is still on only when it's in park. Put it in drive or nutural and rev it up it goes out.
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Sunday, November 26th, 2017 AT 8:20 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MHPAUTOS
  • MECHANIC
  • 31,937 POSTS
Hi there,

this will normally indicate a faulty alternator, this is the unit the charges the battery, the charge rate can be tested quickly by your mechanic, have this test done first.

Mark (mhpautos)
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Sunday, November 26th, 2017 AT 8:20 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
The only reason I said check it when it was cold is because you said that is when the battery light comes so borrow the meter from your buddy. Also take it to the auto parts store and have them test the alternator in your car. If you do get a alternator from them make sure you have it tested before leaving the store.
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Sunday, November 26th, 2017 AT 8:20 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SUMMERSTUDENT
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1993 HONDA CIVIC
Hi, I have a Honda Civic 93 230 000 kms.

On the 3/4 way on the highway to home, I noticed that my acceleration isn't as good as what it used to be (might be because I drove at 150km/h up hill and the car overheated?). Well after that hill, my acceration was going very slow even if I floored the pedal.

And once I enter the town to a stop light, the battery light was flashing and caused the motor to stall (and the car was shaking really bad). So I decided to park somewhere and to let it rest for half an hour. Afterward, I started my car, the car was shaking a lot and the battery light flashes on low rev (like under 1500 rpm when you brake). And the sound of the engine isn't smooth at all, like a puttt puttt puttt.

Any idea what it's causing that? I've tried to changed the spark plugs but it isn't working.

Thx

EDIT : Btw. It's a manual transmission
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Sunday, November 26th, 2017 AT 8:20 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BRUCE HUNT
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,754 POSTS
You have a typical problem with Honda and other cars. Find the leak in the coolant. Could be the radiator, hose, etc. Engine overheating is a major problem, it causes the computer to perform badly and the loss of power is associated with that.
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Sunday, November 26th, 2017 AT 8:20 PM (Merged)
Tiny
STUKFACE
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1987 HONDA CIVIC
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 147,300 MILES
Electrical problem
1987 Honda Civic 4 cyl Two Wheel Drive Manual 147300 miles

about 4 months ago my battery light came on and the the drove for a while but the light would turn off when I reved it past 3k rpms but finally it died and I replaced the alternator and it was fine. Then about a week ago the battery light came on again off and on randomly and I couldn't get it to go off like before if a reved the engine and for the last 3 days the light was always on until the car died. So today I put a brand new battery in cause the one I had was old and I put in a new alternator so I thought id give it a try, but with the new battery in the light is still on. Im not sure what it could be if you have any ideas they would be much appriciated! Thanks
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Sunday, November 26th, 2017 AT 8:20 PM (Merged)
Tiny
STUKFACE
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  • 2 POSTS
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Sunday, November 26th, 2017 AT 8:20 PM (Merged)

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