Hi all. Got my 1990 Accord DX out of mothballs now that the weather is warming up. I started her up no problem, but the clock doesn't come on and the stereo is completely dead. Checked the fuses, inside box and under the hood, all check out ok.

Here's some background... She usually sits for 3-4 months at a time in the elements, so I pull the battery and leave it on a trickle charger in the garage. Yesterday I put the battery in and started her up when I noticed the problem. I also noticed when I push the "temporary on" (that tiny button in the corner to check the clock when the car is off), the clock DOES come on, but only as long as I press the button. It always reads 1:00. Any ideas?


Another bit of info... I've had battery-life problems in the past so yesterday I disconnected the battery while she was running and the engine died, so I'm replacing the alternator as soon as USPS drops it off. Don't think it's related, but, you never know...

 

Stock or aftermarket radio, wanting to know if this is factory wires or something else.

 

Thanks for the reply! Aftermarket stereo, factory harness.

It's been installed for years without a problem. I haven't checked the fuse on the stereo yet, but even if it was blown it wouldn't explain the clock being out.. I just double-checked the main fuses and everything seems to be in order...

 

Just seems werid, of course you knew that

There is the backup fuse in the underhood fuse panel....clock resetting.

EDIT: sorry one pic is cut off. On the clock:
A: red/blk = light on
B: blk = ground
C: yel = IG1 power
D: wht/yel = constant power - time memory

 

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I've already checked the BOTH fuses, under the driver side and under the hood. Both are tested, checked and rechecked. There is no problem with the fuses.

 

the problem can cetainly be the alternator, i've had many alternator problems in the past and usually when the alternator is not producing enough voltage it will cause lights meters and also the clock to fail. usually when there is a bad alternator it is much cheaper to check for the problem such as the diode or the voltage regulator instead of puchasing a new one.

 

Yup! That was it. Swapped out the alternator this afternoon and soon as I turned the key, works 100%. Thanks!