Strange Electrical Problem
Thread Starter
Honda-Tech Member
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 187
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From: North Shore, MA
Strange Electrical Problem
I also posted this in the Accord subsection, but I have a feeling it will get more replies in here.
Hey everyone. I have a 95 Accord EX 4dr 5 Speed 2.2, and I've had a strange electrical problem for the past 5 months or so. I will list all of the details and symptoms that I can.
The battery light illuminates when the car is revved past 2.5-3k RPMS, and when this happens the lights dim and the subwoofer cuts out. If I drive underneath that rev range, everything is normal.
-Battery, connections, alternator all tested fine with my mechanic
-The alternator was replaced last fall (the only variable that was changed anywhere near the start of this issue)
-I have a stereo running off of the battery with an aftermarket brass connecting block. However, I have been running this stereo for almost 3 years with no problems.
-The problem only happens under load, not in neutral, and it is less pronounced when going downhill.
-It is intermittent...seems to go away when it rains (though not all the time)
-When I pull the stereo fuse, the problem still persists
This problem is driving me crazy, and I have a feeling the alternator I got (autozone refurb ) is bad. I'm wondering if any of you have any insight that I could be missing.
Thank you
Hey everyone. I have a 95 Accord EX 4dr 5 Speed 2.2, and I've had a strange electrical problem for the past 5 months or so. I will list all of the details and symptoms that I can.
The battery light illuminates when the car is revved past 2.5-3k RPMS, and when this happens the lights dim and the subwoofer cuts out. If I drive underneath that rev range, everything is normal.
-Battery, connections, alternator all tested fine with my mechanic
-The alternator was replaced last fall (the only variable that was changed anywhere near the start of this issue)
-I have a stereo running off of the battery with an aftermarket brass connecting block. However, I have been running this stereo for almost 3 years with no problems.
-The problem only happens under load, not in neutral, and it is less pronounced when going downhill.
-It is intermittent...seems to go away when it rains (though not all the time)
-When I pull the stereo fuse, the problem still persists
This problem is driving me crazy, and I have a feeling the alternator I got (autozone refurb ) is bad. I'm wondering if any of you have any insight that I could be missing.
Thank you
Old Fart
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 26,173
Likes: 18
From: kelowna, bc, canada
Re: Strange Electrical Problem (95ACEX)
My first guess would be the alt. or voltage regulator, or maybe a loose connection.
When you had the alt. tested, how was that done?
If it only comes on under load and when RPM reaches "2.5-3K" wire a meter to the alt. output and go for a drive and see if voltage drops when the alt. light comes on, keep moving the meters connection one connection away from alt. until you find find the point where the voltage drops, if it's right at the alt. the there is a problem with it or the built in voltage regulator, if not, it would have to be a connection between the alt, and the the inside fuse box(s) probably at the under hood fuse box, maybe a poor connection at the main buss in the under hood fuse box
94
When you had the alt. tested, how was that done?
If it only comes on under load and when RPM reaches "2.5-3K" wire a meter to the alt. output and go for a drive and see if voltage drops when the alt. light comes on, keep moving the meters connection one connection away from alt. until you find find the point where the voltage drops, if it's right at the alt. the there is a problem with it or the built in voltage regulator, if not, it would have to be a connection between the alt, and the the inside fuse box(s) probably at the under hood fuse box, maybe a poor connection at the main buss in the under hood fuse box
94
Thread Starter
Honda-Tech Member
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 187
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From: North Shore, MA
Re: Strange Electrical Problem (fcm)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by fcm »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">My first guess would be the alt. or voltage regulator, or maybe a loose connection.
When you had the alt. tested, how was that done?
If it only comes on under load and when RPM reaches "2.5-3K" wire a meter to the alt. output and go for a drive and see if voltage drops when the alt. light comes on, keep moving the meters connection one connection away from alt. until you find find the point where the voltage drops, if it's right at the alt. the there is a problem with it or the built in voltage regulator, if not, it would have to be a connection between the alt, and the the inside fuse box(s) probably at the under hood fuse box, maybe a poor connection at the main buss in the under hood fuse box 94</TD></TR></TABLE>
I appreciate your help. I have heard from other people they think it's the voltage regulator inside the alternator as well, which would make the most sense because that is the only variable that seems to have made a difference. I will probably end up replacing the alternator.
When you had the alt. tested, how was that done?
If it only comes on under load and when RPM reaches "2.5-3K" wire a meter to the alt. output and go for a drive and see if voltage drops when the alt. light comes on, keep moving the meters connection one connection away from alt. until you find find the point where the voltage drops, if it's right at the alt. the there is a problem with it or the built in voltage regulator, if not, it would have to be a connection between the alt, and the the inside fuse box(s) probably at the under hood fuse box, maybe a poor connection at the main buss in the under hood fuse box
94</TD></TR></TABLE>I appreciate your help. I have heard from other people they think it's the voltage regulator inside the alternator as well, which would make the most sense because that is the only variable that seems to have made a difference. I will probably end up replacing the alternator.
Honda-Tech Member
iTrader: (1)
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 9,716
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From: 99 probs but a stolen car aint 1, ca, cerritos/fullerton
Re: Strange Electrical Problem (95ACEX)
also make sure the chassie is well grounded, Motor to chassie tranny to chassie.I seen this happen a couple of times 
Thread Starter
Honda-Tech Member
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 187
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From: North Shore, MA
Re: Strange Electrical Problem (slowSOHCvtec)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by slowSOHCvtec »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">check ground wires, voltage regulator, and ELD</TD></TR></TABLE>
ELD? Also, anyone have a pic of where the transmission ground is?
ELD? Also, anyone have a pic of where the transmission ground is?
Honda-Tech Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 240
Likes: 0
From: Williamstown, NJ, 08094
Re: Strange Electrical Problem (95ACEX)
ELD= electrical load device, its a relay usually located in the fuse box under your hood...
The ELD measures elecrical load in the car, it helps the ECU anticipate what it needs to do to hold the idle speed steady...give it a whirl, check a helms manual im not sure exactly where it is in the accords
The ELD measures elecrical load in the car, it helps the ECU anticipate what it needs to do to hold the idle speed steady...give it a whirl, check a helms manual im not sure exactly where it is in the accords
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Old Fart
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 26,173
Likes: 18
From: kelowna, bc, canada
Re: Strange Electrical Problem (slowSOHCvtec)
I have to agree with slowSOHCvtec I forgot that you have them on USDM models, Canadian models do not, EG: my 94 LS does not have one but a USDM 94 Integra does, it is mounted under the under hood fuse box, I think, I don't have one so I can't look. 
94
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