Robert,
I have a 89 CRX that the battery light comes on after awhile of driving.
Does this mean that the alternator is bad or is there a voltage regulator
that is not on the alternator that I can replace. Can this be found without
tearing out the alternator. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks, mike
Hey Mike -
First thing I would do is check the alternator belt tension making sure it's not too loose.
Second, I would check the connections on the alternator and make sure that they are good and snug (there's only two, the single "white" wire and a green socket-type connector on the back side of the alternator).
Third, check the condition of your ground cables!!! I just recently replaced my stock skinny ground cable because of some random power problems (one of which had to do with my battery not charging...). I replaced the stock one with a larger 2-gauge ground cable from Kragen's for about $8.00 (USD).
I would also go and check fuse #14 under the dash and make sure that it's not blown - I have a 1990 and I assume that the 89 will be similar. If this fuse is blow, the warning light can come on even though the charging system is working OK. But generally if this fuse is blow, you'll get the warning light right away. But it still doesn't take more than a second to check said fuse.
The regulator is internal and so is the brush. I've not had to replace the regulator and so I can't tell you if you need to tear the whole thing apart or not.
However... if it is the regulator, you're actually better off getting another alternator - or at least a rebuilt one. I believe the cost of the regulator from the dealer was in the $150-$160 (USD) price range. And a new brush is about $5 or $6.
A rebuilt alternator is at about 1/3 that.
When I did my alternator R&R (http://www.crx.org/southcal/tech/alternator/index.html), which was because of a bad internal bearing, I went down to the local Kragen's and picked up what they call a "new-rebuilt" alternator for about $50 (USD) after core.
They call it "new-rebuilt" because they reuse the outside housing from older alternators but use new internal guts. Kragen also offered me two choices, one was a complete rebuilt alternator (at a lower cost) where it was "repaired" and the "new-rebuilt" model which carried a limited lifetime warranty.
The "repaired" alternator also carried a limited warranty, which I believe was 12 months or 12K miles, whichever came first.
There's also the possibility that you have a bad battery; one or more of the internal cells (or plates) could be shorting out. If your battery is not one of the "maintenance free" types - where you have the ability to add water - then check the water level.
If there's a Kragen's out near you, check with them about having them perform a test on your charging system. I believe it's free (at least out here it is).
Other places such as AutoZone and I think even PepBoy's may offer that same sort of service. It's a simple test where they hook it up to a device (machine) that checks the voltage and the charging amps. It then applies an electrical load on the system where they can watch how your charging system reacts.
Keep in mind that it's not an exact measuring and test tool... in other words, it won't tell you if it's the regulator, brush or rectifier that is bad, but it will help determine if it's the alternator or/and the battery. I think some go as far as to check/test the ground where to try and determine if you have a "false", or "floating" ground - these are grounds that look OK on the meter but whenever a load is placed on it, it disappears and you have a basically nothing. But a floating ground condition will usually show up under a load test (i.e. when you go to start the engine).
Hope this helps... let me know what you find out...
CRX Owners Group President (http://www.crx.org/southcal)
1990 Honda CRXsi (http://www.hooligan.cc)
ICQ # 3714283 (nickname: godzilla)
Julian Drive (San Diego County) - February 8, 2003
http://www.crx.org/southcal/events.html
