It's been a while since I've been on this forum.

I have a 2002 RSX Type-S w 75,000 miles.
The lower heat shield to the catalytic converter partially fell off while I was about a mile from my house. It was hanging on the O2 Sensor wires. So I got underneath it and tried to push the shield into place so it wouldn't scrap, but it was scraping anyways.

When I turned on the car, the speedometer guage wasn't working, the gas level indicator was all the way empty (with gas light on) and the check engine and battery light were both on.

I drove it back to my house.
This morning I disconnected the battery (brand new) and jacked up the car, and cut the lower heat shield out. I checked the upper and it seems like it's secure.

I can see where the wires to the secondary (the rear) O2 sensor wires have been frayed slightly and I can see some bare wire, but they're not cut all the way through.

The front O2 sensor wire seems to be in good condition.

I lowered the car back down, pulled the ECU fuse out for a few minutes, plugged it back in and re-connected the battery. Turned on the car and the Gas indicator seems to be working, but my check engine and battery light are both still on.

If the frayed O2 wires were somehow touching each other, could it be shorting the system and causing this problem?

The belt to my alternator was squeaking slightly yesterday, but not today when I turned on the car.

I guess my question is this.
Where should I start. I haven't wire taped the O2 wires yet, I'll do this now and then see the results.

Anything else I should start checking?

I appreciate any advice.

EDIT: I forgot to mention, this car is completely stock. Other than different rims/tires, nothing has been modified.

 

Got back under the car and closely checked the wiring to the secondary (rear) O2 sensor, and only two wires were barely cut into. So I wire tapped them all, then slid the soft wire cover over them and taped up the whole thing. Checked the front O2 sensor and one wire had a slight cut into it, so I wire taped that one.

It turns out the top heat shield is falling apart also. So I'll probably just replace the whole cat. (not a big deal).

I reconnected the battery, turned the car back on and my check engine light and battery light are lit.
The speedometer is also not functioning either.

I used an older analog (needle) multimeter and tested the battery with the engine off and it gave me close to 12V. Turned on the engine and nothing seemed to change. I do have a digital one, but I can't find the cables atm. Had my wife throttle up and the needle didn't seem to move on the multimeter.

The check engine light has been coming on and off before this happened, and I had a friend at a shop scan the car and it was throwing the PO138 error, which is the secondary O2 Sensor (if I recall correctly).

This isn't a big deal, easy fix.
However I'm really concerned about the Battery light (bad alternator?) and the Speedometer not working.

I guess my next step is to start checking the fuses?
Which fuses should I look at specifically?

Thanks for any ideas or help.

 

Your alternator and speedometer problems are directly related to a blown fuse caused by the O2 sensor wires shorting.

Sorry, I don't recall which fuses are involved.

 

Thanks man!
I was hoping that's the case. I've been busy all week and haven't had a chance to get back under.

I was thinking about replacing my cat, but replacement cats don't seem to come with the heat-shields. I found Acura OEM replacements shields for around $60 total for both. I'll replace the secondary O2 sensor, then find/replace the fuses and hopefully that will be it.

 

Just quickly checked fuse #4 (Alternator) and it was blown. LOL!
Checked #10 and it was fine.