Battery light in Dash lights up when parking brake is on

Discussion in 'General Motoring' started by John Edwards, Aug 6, 2005.

  1. John Edwards

    John Edwards Guest

    Hi,

    I have a 1998 honda accord V6. I have a strange problem, the battery
    indicator light in the dashboard lights up (along with the symbol of
    the car with all doors open) while the car is running whenever I try to
    set the parking brake.

    When I referred to the honda manual that I have, it says the battery
    indicator light will only light up on the dashboard (while the engine
    is running ) only if the charging system is failing to charge the
    battery.

    I am unable to believe that the charging system is dying as whenever I
    release my parking brake, the indicator disappears and reappears when I
    try to engage the parking brake again.

    My question is, what has the parking brake to do with the battery
    indicator in the dashboard ?

    Can you please reply, I need to take the car to the mechanic. It would
    be nice to know what to expect..

    Regards,
    John
     
    John Edwards, Aug 6, 2005
    #1
  2. John Edwards

    Sam Nickaby Guest

    The hand brake switch sends a ground signal into the instrument unit, possibly
    crossing over to the system check line.

    I had a bizarre problem like this on a 97 BMW. It was so distracting that
    I had to remove and re-install the instrument unit from the dash and the
    problem was gone.
     
    Sam Nickaby, Aug 6, 2005
    #2
  3. John Edwards

    motsco_ _ Guest


    -------------------------


    Write down your programmed radio stations. Make sure you have your
    radio's security code. Disconnect the battery for ten seconds. Hook it
    back up and the problem should be 'reset'.
    Has the problem been there since you has the battery changed, or some
    other electrical service? Does the 'lamp check' act wierd when you
    perform it, or is it OK?

    'Curly'
     
    motsco_ _, Aug 6, 2005
    #3
  4. John Edwards

    John Edwards Guest

    Thanks for the replies. I recently had a body repair done on my front
    fender. The car was out of the body shop and since then having this
    problem. I have taken it back to the body shop, they are unable to
    figure it out yet as why this is happening. One possible guess from
    their side is a diode in the dashboard that is bad, that thy have to
    replace. Else they are thinking of replacing the whole instrument
    panel. They are positive that it is not a wiring thing. I am just
    keeping my fingers crossed at this moment.

    Any ideas.. ?

    -- John
     
    John Edwards, Aug 8, 2005
    #4
  5. John Edwards

    motsco_ _ Guest

    ----------------------------

    Did you perform the 'lamp check' per the Owner's Manual, and did you try
    resetting everything by lifting the batery terminal?

    'Curly'
     
    motsco_ _, Aug 9, 2005
    #5
  6. John Edwards

    John Edwards Guest

    I am not sure what a lamp check is, but will read the owners manual
    again to find out. If the lamp check means that all lamps are fine, yes
    all visible lamps (outside the vehicle) look to be working. I have
    tried lifting the battery terminal, stayed more than 10 seconds as
    suggested, but it did not resolve the problem. Apparently the body
    shop's local Honda expert is unable to figure out the root cause for
    the problem. They are now trying to send the car to the dealership
    where more know-how might be expected.
     
    John Edwards, Aug 10, 2005
    #6
  7. John Edwards

    SoCalMike Guest

    its when you turn the key on, and all the lights on the dash (ABS,SRS<
    check engine, etc) go on, then shut off.
     
    SoCalMike, Aug 10, 2005
    #7
  8. John Edwards

    John Edwards Guest

    I did the lamp check as suggested. I think it is a positive, with all
    the lamps coming on.

    -- John.
     
    John Edwards, Aug 10, 2005
    #8
  9. John Edwards

    John Edwards Guest

    Actually I am wrong. I saw again, the battery light does not show up in
    the light check. It lights only when the hand brake is engaged. It used
    to light up in the lamp check in the past, can anyone shed any light on
    this based on the new information.. ?

    -- John
     
    John Edwards, Aug 11, 2005
    #9
  10. John Edwards

    John Edwards Guest

    Update on this topic. The body shop has replaced hte whole instrument
    cluster on the vehicle to get around this problem. Now the problem
    seems to have disappeared. But unfortunately, they say that if they
    replace the instrument cluster, the mileage on the car goes to "0"
    (zero), so they have some legal sticker on my car, which says the
    odometer is not the original. This is the downside of the fix. Atleast
    I am happy the problem is solved.

    -- John
     
    John Edwards, Aug 21, 2005
    #10
Ask a Question

Want to reply to this thread or ask your own question?

You'll need to choose a username for the site, which only take a couple of moments (here). After that, you can post your question and our members will help you out.