Unusual electrical problem - 1997 Prelude
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From: VA Beach, VA, USA
Unusual electrical problem - 1997 Prelude
I own a 1997 Honda Prelude with a 5spd manual transmission. The car is completely stock and has 220,000 miles.
The problem:
The instrument panel (speedometer, rpm meter, etc.), indicator lights, and radio momentarily shut off and turn back on. The problem seems to occur when there is a large, sudden change in current flow or when a new load places a demand on the electrical system. The problem was first noticed by my wife while driving, so I tried to repeat the fault conditions while the car was in the driveway. There were no error codes, so I tried some front-panel troubshooting. From my troubleshooting efforts, I was able to repeat these occurences when I cycled the headlights on (not off) and cycled the ac on (not off). I presume that the same fault will occur if I press the brake pedal to cut the tail lights on, but I have not attempted this yet.
From searching Honda-tech, the only information that I was able to find were discussions regarding a faulty ignition switch and a related recall notice by Honda. I attempted to recreate the fault conditions by jiggling the key in the ignition, switching the half a position back and forth, and pushing and pulling on the key. The fault never reoccurred and the car does not have problems starting (sometimes the ignition locks preventing me from starting the car, but this happens randomly and rarely, and is most likely unrelated). I also read a lot of articles stating faults caused by electrical shorts and open to ground.
I believe that I may have an open to ground condition somewhere in the electrical system. The problem occurs, only lasts momentarily, and never shuts the engine off. I think as a new circuit is closed and a new load is introduced into the system, the demand for current flow changes and momentarily decreases the current in the circuit until it can find the next path of least resistance to complete the circuit. Hence, the reason the electrical system does not completely shut down (condition of an electrical short). However, I am seeking the opinions of others that may have experienced or witnessed this fault. Any comments, thought, opinions are welcome. Thanks.
The problem:
The instrument panel (speedometer, rpm meter, etc.), indicator lights, and radio momentarily shut off and turn back on. The problem seems to occur when there is a large, sudden change in current flow or when a new load places a demand on the electrical system. The problem was first noticed by my wife while driving, so I tried to repeat the fault conditions while the car was in the driveway. There were no error codes, so I tried some front-panel troubshooting. From my troubleshooting efforts, I was able to repeat these occurences when I cycled the headlights on (not off) and cycled the ac on (not off). I presume that the same fault will occur if I press the brake pedal to cut the tail lights on, but I have not attempted this yet.
From searching Honda-tech, the only information that I was able to find were discussions regarding a faulty ignition switch and a related recall notice by Honda. I attempted to recreate the fault conditions by jiggling the key in the ignition, switching the half a position back and forth, and pushing and pulling on the key. The fault never reoccurred and the car does not have problems starting (sometimes the ignition locks preventing me from starting the car, but this happens randomly and rarely, and is most likely unrelated). I also read a lot of articles stating faults caused by electrical shorts and open to ground.
I believe that I may have an open to ground condition somewhere in the electrical system. The problem occurs, only lasts momentarily, and never shuts the engine off. I think as a new circuit is closed and a new load is introduced into the system, the demand for current flow changes and momentarily decreases the current in the circuit until it can find the next path of least resistance to complete the circuit. Hence, the reason the electrical system does not completely shut down (condition of an electrical short). However, I am seeking the opinions of others that may have experienced or witnessed this fault. Any comments, thought, opinions are welcome. Thanks.
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Joined: May 2020
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Re: Unusual electrical problem - 1997 Prelude
I own a 1997 Honda Prelude with a 5spd manual transmission. The car is completely stock and has 220,000 miles.
The problem:
The instrument panel (speedometer, rpm meter, etc.), indicator lights, and radio momentarily shut off and turn back on. The problem seems to occur when there is a large, sudden change in current flow or when a new load places a demand on the electrical system. The problem was first noticed by my wife while driving, so I tried to repeat the fault conditions while the car was in the driveway. There were no error codes, so I tried some front-panel troubshooting. From my troubleshooting efforts, I was able to repeat these occurences when I cycled the headlights on (not off) and cycled the ac on (not off). I presume that the same fault will occur if I press the brake pedal to cut the tail lights on, but I have not attempted this yet.
From searching Honda-tech, the only information that I was able to find were discussions regarding a faulty ignition switch and a related recall notice by Honda. I attempted to recreate the fault conditions by jiggling the key in the ignition, switching the half a position back and forth, and pushing and pulling on the key. The fault never reoccurred and the car does not have problems starting (sometimes the ignition locks preventing me from starting the car, but this happens randomly and rarely, and is most likely unrelated). I also read a lot of articles stating faults caused by electrical shorts and open to ground.
I believe that I may have an open to ground condition somewhere in the electrical system. The problem occurs, only lasts momentarily, and never shuts the engine off. I think as a new circuit is closed and a new load is introduced into the system, the demand for current flow changes and momentarily decreases the current in the circuit until it can find the next path of least resistance to complete the circuit. Hence, the reason the electrical system does not completely shut down (condition of an electrical short). However, I am seeking the opinions of others that may have experienced or witnessed this fault. Any comments, thought, opinions are welcome. Thanks.
The problem:
The instrument panel (speedometer, rpm meter, etc.), indicator lights, and radio momentarily shut off and turn back on. The problem seems to occur when there is a large, sudden change in current flow or when a new load places a demand on the electrical system. The problem was first noticed by my wife while driving, so I tried to repeat the fault conditions while the car was in the driveway. There were no error codes, so I tried some front-panel troubshooting. From my troubleshooting efforts, I was able to repeat these occurences when I cycled the headlights on (not off) and cycled the ac on (not off). I presume that the same fault will occur if I press the brake pedal to cut the tail lights on, but I have not attempted this yet.
From searching Honda-tech, the only information that I was able to find were discussions regarding a faulty ignition switch and a related recall notice by Honda. I attempted to recreate the fault conditions by jiggling the key in the ignition, switching the half a position back and forth, and pushing and pulling on the key. The fault never reoccurred and the car does not have problems starting (sometimes the ignition locks preventing me from starting the car, but this happens randomly and rarely, and is most likely unrelated). I also read a lot of articles stating faults caused by electrical shorts and open to ground.
I believe that I may have an open to ground condition somewhere in the electrical system. The problem occurs, only lasts momentarily, and never shuts the engine off. I think as a new circuit is closed and a new load is introduced into the system, the demand for current flow changes and momentarily decreases the current in the circuit until it can find the next path of least resistance to complete the circuit. Hence, the reason the electrical system does not completely shut down (condition of an electrical short). However, I am seeking the opinions of others that may have experienced or witnessed this fault. Any comments, thought, opinions are welcome. Thanks.
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1997, 97, cluster, cut, electrical, gauges, honda, jumping, lights, manual, prelude, problems, randomly, speedometer, switch, transmission, troubleshooting
