Alternator not charging..??

[ChaseR]

Ok so the accord is coming along, it idles and all but the battery light in the cluster stays illuminated. Autozone tested the alternator and it test out fine When we dissconnect the battery while idling the car dies instantly. Shouldn't the car run with no battery once its started? Any ideas? We have checked all connections to the harness and the grounds..

[AccordB20A]

yeah it should stay running if the alternator is working. Did it just start doing this? Make sure you check all your fuses cause the alternator needs power to work

[ChaseR]

na man just swapped in a fresh A20A3, This specific alternator was working on the old tired motor... So ya It's not like it was running and then stopped. we are just working out the kinks and getting this back on the road.

[2oodoor]

probably a ground off somewhere, or the field wire on the alt is not making connection. Assuming the battery checked out ok and is fully charged.

[2ndGenGuy]

I've seen a few Hondas die with the battery disconnected, with all perfectly functional alternators. I don't think that's a reliable test...

[AccordB20A]

really? thats amazing.

i guess in that case you will have to run your car and see if your battery goes flat
but why would the light be on for?

[ChaseR]

just looked in the shop manual and it says to check the number 1 fuse in the dash and the number 8 fuse under the hood. If those are blown then the system could be charging fine but it would still indicate a fault. Brand new battery btw..

[AccordB20A]

well the light only comes on when its overcharging or undercharging so maybe its charging but too much or not enough. the brushes might be on their way out. when you rev the engine does the light go off??

[ChaseR]

nope the light stays on when the engine is reved

[AccordB20A]

is you cat light on too... over here for some reason the cat light and alt light are connected so if one or the other goes bad they both light up.. i think

[ChaseR]

cat light?

[Civic Accord Honda]

usdm cars dont have cat lights

[AccordB20A]

lol that makes sence now dw

[ChaseR]

i will check the fuses tommorow

[MessyHonda]

with a volt meter check if you are getting 14.4 volts...while running...my first alternator died...then i got a napa one and it died 2 months later now i got another napa one...and its doing fine...and mine was rated at 81 amps so its better than the stock 70 amp one.

[2oodoor]

usdm cars dont have cat lights

yep , thank goodness... can you imagine..ohh no my kyat light is on:nervous:

[russiankid]

I agree with Messy, get a volt meter and see how much voltage you are getting at the battery when the engine is running.