Electrical issue??
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2
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From: jacksonville, fl, usa
Electrical issue??
As if being a woman wasn't hard enough, I'm not sure who to trust....
I drive a 02 Honda Odyssey (yes, a minivan) and lately it's been putting on some funky light show. It doesn't happen often (not I or the mechanic can replicate it) but it seems to happen when we go over a bump. Basically the front passenger door light on the dashboard will say it is open when it is not and at the same time the dome lights will come on and then go off soon thereafter and at that same time I'll hear a spark noise (like when you touch two live electrical wires together). Can anyone please tell me what this can be due to? One mechanic said it was the alternator and I paid and got a diagnostic on that and that was wrong because it was working just fine! The reason why the mechanic said it was the alternator was because my battery had not lasted a year before it had to be replaced and my windshield wipers go very slow in the "fast" position. But the diagnostic said the battery was good, alternator good. What else can be causing the light show? Help!!!
I drive a 02 Honda Odyssey (yes, a minivan) and lately it's been putting on some funky light show. It doesn't happen often (not I or the mechanic can replicate it) but it seems to happen when we go over a bump. Basically the front passenger door light on the dashboard will say it is open when it is not and at the same time the dome lights will come on and then go off soon thereafter and at that same time I'll hear a spark noise (like when you touch two live electrical wires together). Can anyone please tell me what this can be due to? One mechanic said it was the alternator and I paid and got a diagnostic on that and that was wrong because it was working just fine! The reason why the mechanic said it was the alternator was because my battery had not lasted a year before it had to be replaced and my windshield wipers go very slow in the "fast" position. But the diagnostic said the battery was good, alternator good. What else can be causing the light show? Help!!!
Honda-Tech Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 632
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From: Central, fl, us
Re: Electrical issue?? (hondanewbie99)
It could be either a chasis ground or a door open/closed switch, or your getting a short to ground in that particular harness. ( would explain the intermitance of the problem). Have paticience with the mechanic, These are tough and time consuming problems) I do recommend an electrical shop.
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: jacksonville, fl, usa
Re: Electrical issue?? (3 Dough)
Thank you! Do you recommend an electrical shop as opposed to going to the dealer? Oh! and would the short to ground explain the battery not lasting a whole year and the windshield wipers going slow in the "fast" position?
Honda-Tech Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 632
Likes: 0
From: Central, fl, us
Re: Electrical issue?? (hondanewbie99)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by hondanewbie99 »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Thank you! Do you recommend an electrical shop as opposed to going to the dealer? Oh! and would the short to ground explain the battery not lasting a whole year and the windshield wipers going slow in the "fast" position?</TD></TR></TABLE>
1st question: It's up to you. There are plenty of users here that are techs for honda, they may have more insight than me. ie: It may not be something they prefer to mess with, and it may be more time consuming for them to find.
2nd question: Yes, a short to ground can affect other parts of you electrical system.
1st question: It's up to you. There are plenty of users here that are techs for honda, they may have more insight than me. ie: It may not be something they prefer to mess with, and it may be more time consuming for them to find.
2nd question: Yes, a short to ground can affect other parts of you electrical system.
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