Questions and Answers

Honda Accord Alternator Q. Hello Vincent: First off I would like to thank you for sharing your knowledge with us over the web. I found it very useful and helpful. Thanks!

I own a 1984 Honda Accord EX. Occasionally I receive a battery light for a short while. The car does not stall. But, I think it decided to stop and I am wondering if the battery is weak or the alternator is given up. I have read your articles on the The Charging System - Part 2: The Alternator, and also the 400 Dollar wire. The battery showed 12 when I tested it. I am looking for a diagram and the installation procedures for installing the alternator.

Thanks,
Nash

A. The best way to test the battery is with a carbon pile load tester. But since most DIY's don't have this piece of equipment the next best thing is to have the charging system tested. Any shop can do this for, about, $20.00. Then you will know for sure if it is a weak battery or alternator.

A way you can do this at home is to start the engine and turn everything on, headlights on high beam, blower motor on high and rear window defroster on. Race the engine to 2,500 rpm and with your voltmeter on the battery, it should read about 13.5 volts. If it does, then it's a good bet the alternator is okay. If not, then you can do a cell test.

Get a coat hanger and cut two straight pieces about 8" long and sand the ends clean and shiny. Clip your voltmeter to them and put one on the positive battery terminal and the negative end in the cell next to the positive terminal. You should get a reading of about 2.2 to 2.4 volts. Then that the positive lead and put it in the first cell and the negative lead in the second cell. You should get the same 2.2 to 2.4 volt reading. Do this for all the cells and with the last cell put the positive lead in the last cell and the negative lead on the negative terminal.

If you get a 0 volt or near 0 volt reading, that cell is dead. If you get a reading of about 3 volts, the battery is sulphated and needs to be replaced. If you get a reading of 4 volts or higher, the cell is shorted out. If your battery is four years old or older, replace it, it's not long for this world and could very well be weak

To replace the alternator...

REMOVAL:

1. Disconnect the ground wire from the batteries negative terminal.
2. Disconnect the engine wire harness connector from the alternator, and remove the terminal nut. NOTE: For ease of access to the alternator, it may be necessary to disconnect the left drive shaft from the steering knuckle.
3. Remove the alternator adjustment bolt and nut, then remove the alternator belt from the pulley.
4. For fuel injected engines remove the air cleaner case and intake manifold B NOTE: Before disconnecting the vacuum hoses from the manifold, mark their locations to ensure they are returned to their original locations on assembly.
5. Remove the alternator through bolt, then remove the alternator.
6. If necessary, remove the mount bracket bolts, and the upper and lower mount brackets.

INSTALLATION:

1. Install in reverse order of removal.

Additional Information provided courtesy of ALLDATA