1988 Honda Prelude Battery Drain

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ROBIN GRAHAM
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I have a 1988 Prelude with 188K miles. Recently the red light on the dashboard that reads 'door/seatbelt', is on all the time along with the constant beeping like the door is open; even when I'm driving. I was able to break the speaker so the sound stopped but my new problem is that when my car sits, not running, for more than 16-20 hours the battery dies. It seems to me that the car thinks the door is always open and the red light flashing and sound going off is wearing the battery down when the car is not running! This all started at the same time so it makes sense that it's related. My question: how can I disconnect or rig that connection between the door and frame or re-wire something to stop this constant pull on the battery? Where is the connection point on the door that isn't connecting now?? thanks
Aug 26, 2006 at 2:12 AM
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MIKEYBDMAN
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[quote:33ff2cc501="Robin Graham"]I have a 1988 Prelude with 188K miles. Recently the red light on the dashboard that reads 'door/seatbelt', is on all the time along with the constant beeping like the door is open; even when I'm driving. I was able to break the speaker so the sound stopped but my new problem is that when my car sits, not running, for more than 16-20 hours the battery dies. It seems to me that the car thinks the door is always open and the red light flashing and sound going off is wearing the battery down when the car is not running! This all started at the same time so it makes sense that it's related. My question: how can I disconnect or rig that connection between the door and frame or re-wire something to stop this constant pull on the battery? Where is the connection point on the door that isn't connecting now?? thanks[/quote:33ff2cc501]

Why dont you check your door jam switches, and replace the bad one. Then you have everything working as normal.....well, except the speaker you broke. :?:
Aug 26, 2006 at 6:02 AM
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ROBIN GRAHAM
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thanks for your response. the door jam switch is the black L shaped thing inside the door frame? pardon my car ignorance...
I have checked that and it works fine. When I move it back (like the door would be closed) it turns off the red light on the image of the car on the dash to tell me that the door is closed. But the other light remains on. Is there another sensor or switch that tells the car that the door is closed and to stop beeping??
Aug 27, 2006 at 4:14 PM
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MIKEYBDMAN
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 623 POSTS
[quote:a0363b9669="Robin Graham"]thanks for your response. the door jam switch is the black L shaped thing inside the door frame? pardon my car ignorance...
I have checked that and it works fine. When I move it back (like the door would be closed) it turns off the red light on the image of the car on the dash to tell me that the door is closed. But the other light remains on. Is there another sensor or switch that tells the car that the door is closed and to stop beeping??[/quote:a0363b9669]

The other sensors that drive this system are the Drivers and passengers seat belt switches, and the Drivers and passengers seat belt retractors with solenoid and sensor switch. All of these sensors feed the automatic seat belt control unit. This unit drives the lights that are staying on. You will probably need someone who can follow a schematic to trouble shoot the system for you.
Aug 28, 2006 at 6:45 AM

Suggested Repair

Check and replace any faulty door jamb switch. If the door indicator works but the other warning light stays on, have the driver and passenger seat belt switches, seat belt retractors with solenoids and sensor switches, and the automatic seat belt control unit diagnosed using a wiring schematic.

Conversation Summary

The owner of a 1988 Honda Prelude reports that a door/seatbelt warning light stays on and the car beeps as if a door is open, even while driving. After disabling the speaker, the battery dies when the car sits for about 16-20 hours. The owner suspects a constant electrical draw from the door-sensing circuit. The expert first recommends checking and replacing a bad door jamb switch. After the owner says that switch turns off the door graphic but another light remains on, the expert explains that seat belt switches and retractor sensors also feed the automatic seat belt control unit and recommends schematic-based troubleshooting.

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