My check engine light came on today. (doesn't seem like anything is wrong) however, about 2 months ago, I replaced the alternator with a non-honda alternator. Question: can a non-honda alternator cause issues? Ever since i replaced the batter & alternator the battery light flickers. I had it checked out and the charging system seems to be perfect, according to the honda dealership. They said the reason the light is flickering is because, I put in a non-honda alternator. Can this be so? I called the dealership today, and they said the check engine light might be related to the non-honda alternator. Can this be so, or are they pulling my leg? any adivce apperciated.

 

i think the dealership is pulling your leg here. a non honda altenator isnt the reason your light is flickering. but i would look more into that issue. do you have subs?, stereo? neon lights? or any other accesorie stuff? those items could put more of a strain on your altenator. also what is the amperage rating of your altenator? maybe the alt. isnt rated that high of a spec. you will need to see what your vehicle is charging at. most local shops charge 10 bucks for a alt. test and or battery. sears, firestone, etcc..

as for your check engine light.. i dotn think honda has a low charging check engine light code. some vehicles do have a code for this. but you will need to get the check engine light deal taking care of. autozone and schucks and maybe napa will be able to scan yoru car for codes for free and at least tell you the code. post to what you find out.

all in all..you spent 10 bucks total for your two problems. good luck

 

The "Honda" alternator is either made by Mitsubishi or Denso. So even a honda alternator isnt a honda alternator.
Go to Autozone, they scan codes for free. See what the code is. Go from there.

 

Yes, but it's not specifically because it's "non-Honda." Honda doesn't manufacture parts; they outsource to other companies under contract. The specific brand is what you want to pay attention to.

The "battery" light you speak of is actually an indicator for the charging system, specifically the alternator. It monitors the current being produced by the alternator and turns on when it drops below a certain threshold (which I believe is somewhere in the neighborhood of 10-11V). If the charging light flickers while you're driving, then the alternator is unquestionably bad. A properly functioning alternator should produce between 14-14.5V.

Cheap remanufactured alternators will often be bad straight out of the box. I've seen it happen more times than I can count.

'01-05 Civics are pretty notorious for alternator problems. I recommend using only a Denso reman or a Bosch reman alternator, because those two brands have had the lowest return/failure rates at our shop.

 

For got to mention the car is a 02 civic EX. All factory items. No accessories that would be pulling extra charge. I had the dealership, do a charging test and they said it was charging perfect. They said the batter light will flicker because its a non-honda alt. (sound sispoucious). I honda recently replaced the computer system (For free) do to other issues. This battery flickering only started AFTER they replaced the computer system. However my main concern is the check engine light comming on. However, the car seems to be running fine. (other than the batter light flickering and now the check engine light on). No noise or funny sounds. Any thought appreciated!!!

 

I also had similar problem.

 

Nobody can tell you anything about the Check Engine light until you have the diagnotstic trouble codes read with an OBD-2 scanner.

 

caryabhi123,

Can you shed light on your expericence? What was your issues, how did it get fixed, est??

 

Speaking of altenator issues I just had mine replaced a few months ago. A few days ago I heard a hissing coming from my belts near my powersteering resevoir I would smell a slight burning scent. I started it today and the noise was slightly louder but drove fine. Now today i came across the same symptoms when the altenator failed like abs light came on, radio turned off, lights demmed and when i turned the car off it would not turn over. I Left it for a few hours and it started back up mind you its cold at night in VA. I was thinking it could be the belts or the pulley I have no idea anyone with similar issues?

 

are the belts tight?

 

yeah the belts are snug its being towed tommorow

 

when my civic had the check engine light come on i took it to the dealer ship and they told me it comes on when its time to check the motor for any defaults and change all the fluids...but u dont have to do that if u take real care of ur car..so what they did to it was turn the car off and put the key all the way foward(not turnin it on tho) and the messed with the lil stick that comes out from the speedometer and then it stopped....they told me it comes on at a certain amount of miles....idk if thats what ur car is tryin to do..just wanted to throw sum info

 

is it check engine or maintenance

 

That's not the Check Engine light. You're thinking of the Maintenance Required light.