2003 Civic ABS/Brake/Airbag Indicators & das light issues

[frischesbrot]

Hello!

My 2003 Honda Civic EX is no longer under warranty- and it is having some dash, indicator light issues. My ABS and Brake light will occassionally flicker- sometimes even rapidly, and/or go in and out. THe Airbag light will come on when I start the car (as it should) then shut off, then turn back on once I start moving. Also, my dash lights went out once on me last week- totally shut off- all power out on a moment with no guages reading, then it came back on within 2 seconds. Any ideas as to what could be going on?

 

[Michael Pardee]

Hello!

My 2003 Honda Civic EX is no longer under warranty- and it is having some dash, indicator light issues. My ABS and Brake light will occassionally flicker- sometimes even rapidly, and/or go in and out. THe Airbag light will come on when I start the car (as it should) then shut off, then turn back on once I start moving. Also, my dash lights went out once on me last week- totally shut off- all power out on a moment with no guages reading, then it came back on within 2 seconds. Any ideas as to what could be going on?

The widespread electrical symptoms suggest you have something wrong in the main electrical system. That usually means one of three areas: alternator, battery, or connections (especially ground connections). Are you looking at a DIY approach or at what to expect when you take it to a shop?

Mike

 

[frischesbrot via CarKB.com]

Thanks for your reply. I'd like to go DIY- if possible. Let me know what I'd be up against.

Hello!

[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]

it
came back on within 2 seconds. Any ideas as to what could be going on?

The widespread electrical symptoms suggest you have something wrong in the main electrical system. That usually means one of three areas: alternator, battery, or connections (especially ground connections). Are you looking at a DIY approach or at what to expect when you take it to a shop?

Mike

 

[Michael Pardee]

Thanks for your reply. I'd like to go DIY- if possible. Let me know what I'd be up against.

If you have a digital voltmeter you can check a few important things.

With the engine running (since that is when you have the problem) and the headlights on measure the DC voltage between the engine block - anyplace on the engine, actually - and the chassis. There should be negligible voltage between the two. If there is voltage the engine ground is not connected and that will certainly cause all sorts of weird symptoms.

Also with the engine running, check the DC and AC voltages across the battery. The DC should be 14 volts +/- about 1/2 volt... higher when the alternator is cold, lower when it is hot. The AC voltage across the battery must be less than 0.1 volt. If it is higher - often over a volt AC - either the battery is seriously bad or the alternator has bad diodes. Replacing the battery or even connecting another one across the existing one with jumper cables will tell the difference.

If that doesn't show anything obvious, you are probably going to have to verify grounds behind the dash and probably under the hood. That is much more easily done with a Helm manual (about $60 US IIRC from Helm http://www.helminc.com ) because of their comprehensive wiring information. The grounds can be checked by measuring (engine running) from one ground point to any other. If they are the same voltage you need to keep looking. Maybe the wiring diagram will even point to a ground that is common among the circuits that are acting up.

Mike