Please help with "Charge System Warning Light".
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 8,632
Likes: 192
From: Las Vegas, NV, USA
Please help with "Charge System Warning Light".
My stock 89 CRX Si has been having the charge system warning light come on at idle.
My observation from driving w/ a volt-meter on the battery:
It seems that as soon as the ECU swtches the alternator into "low-voltage" charge mode (to save gas), the idiot light comes on. The light stays on until the voltage finally drops down to 12.5v. Then the voltage settles around 12.3v. The light ALWAYS goes out when I rev the engine, but the voltage never changes. Voltage always jumps back to 14+ when I hit 45mph (like it should).
Here is my attempts to resolve the problem (with no results):
I've tried 3 different alternators (1 old & two remand autozone units), and two different under-hood fues boxes (ELD is built into fuse box). All wiring & belt tension checks out...
Does anybody know what the hell could be going on?
My observation from driving w/ a volt-meter on the battery:
It seems that as soon as the ECU swtches the alternator into "low-voltage" charge mode (to save gas), the idiot light comes on. The light stays on until the voltage finally drops down to 12.5v. Then the voltage settles around 12.3v. The light ALWAYS goes out when I rev the engine, but the voltage never changes. Voltage always jumps back to 14+ when I hit 45mph (like it should).
Here is my attempts to resolve the problem (with no results):
I've tried 3 different alternators (1 old & two remand autozone units), and two different under-hood fues boxes (ELD is built into fuse box). All wiring & belt tension checks out...
Does anybody know what the hell could be going on?
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 8,632
Likes: 192
From: Las Vegas, NV, USA
Re: Please help with "Charge System Warning Light". (Tyson)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Tyson »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">you got me stumped... 
clean connectors and ground?
tried a different ecu?</TD></TR></TABLE>
I havn't personally cleaned the grounds, but my mechanic checked all the wiring. They are good guys too (worked on the car for 2 days & didn't charge me since they couldn't fix it).
Well, the only thing left to do is try a different ECU. I don't know anybody with a PM6, and my mechanic's one was fried by another customer's moded car...
Anybody here in Vegas with a CRX Si that wouldn't mind taking an hour or so to help me out (swap ECU)?
clean connectors and ground?
tried a different ecu?</TD></TR></TABLE>
I havn't personally cleaned the grounds, but my mechanic checked all the wiring. They are good guys too (worked on the car for 2 days & didn't charge me since they couldn't fix it).
Well, the only thing left to do is try a different ECU. I don't know anybody with a PM6, and my mechanic's one was fried by another customer's moded car...
Anybody here in Vegas with a CRX Si that wouldn't mind taking an hour or so to help me out (swap ECU)?
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 873
Likes: 0
From: Umatilla, or, us
Re: Please help with "Charge System Warning Light". (94eg!)
Definately check the grounds and and terminal connections. Had the same problem and I solved it with those to things being checked and fixed.
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 8,632
Likes: 192
From: Las Vegas, NV, USA
Re: Please help with "Charge System Warning Light". (mr_hahn73)
Does anybody know how to pull the pins out of the Alternator harness plug?
I think it would be 1000 times easier to check for problems if I could check each crimp & connector...
I think it would be 1000 times easier to check for problems if I could check each crimp & connector...
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 8,632
Likes: 192
From: Las Vegas, NV, USA
Re: Please help with "Charge System Warning Light".
Back from the dead!!!
This problem turned out to be two crappy alternators from Checker (Now O'Reilly's) Auto Parts. I guess both the ones I tried from there were crap. I honestly think it may have had the wrong size pulley on it or something. The one I had been running for all these years finally took a dump. Happened just hours before I was taking it on a trip outta town (lucky I guess). It left me in the middle of a busy intersection in 105* Las Vegas weather.
Well after I called for a ride, picked up some tools, picked up a new lifetime warranty alternator from Autozone, and changed it out in the parking lot of the gas station..........PROBLEM SOLVED!!!! It's been a couple months and the charge warning light hasn't come on once.
This problem turned out to be two crappy alternators from Checker (Now O'Reilly's) Auto Parts. I guess both the ones I tried from there were crap. I honestly think it may have had the wrong size pulley on it or something. The one I had been running for all these years finally took a dump. Happened just hours before I was taking it on a trip outta town (lucky I guess). It left me in the middle of a busy intersection in 105* Las Vegas weather.
Well after I called for a ride, picked up some tools, picked up a new lifetime warranty alternator from Autozone, and changed it out in the parking lot of the gas station..........PROBLEM SOLVED!!!! It's been a couple months and the charge warning light hasn't come on once.
Honda-Tech Member
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 18,961
Likes: 76
From: I am Tyson
Re: Please help with "Charge System Warning Light".
funny, 5 years of experience on this forum has taught me that no matter how many "new" alternators you get, its always possible you got a bunk one from the parts store.
i was a little confused i gave that answer when i read it. then i saw the date...
i was a little confused i gave that answer when i read it. then i saw the date...
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