Hello everyone,

Found this thread on the TL section
https://acurazine.com/forums/third-g.../#post16484546

Had to replace Alternator after it started smoking. However, the check charging system light came on after repIacing alt. I checked fuses and grounds (engine to chassis and battery negative to chassis), they looked fine. Volt meter plugged in cigarette lighter shows 14.2 to 14.5, so new alt working fine. Just can’t get rid of check charging light.

Before I tackle this battery cable upgrade, does the positive battery/alternator cable hook up to the fuse box simply with a ring/ nut/bolt or do I have to cut and hookup a bunch of small wires? I don’t want to start tearing it up and realize this task is beyond my capabilities. Also Is it necessary to move/raise the fuse box to acces the cable connector easier, and how can I do this? On the negative battery cable, there’s a smaller cable or what looks like a couple of wires that attach to a clip/connector on chassis. How do I connect this to the new negative battery cable? Finally, I don’t see a tranny ground, is this normal or should I look further. And just to confirm, tranny cable should hook up to chassis? Sorry for newbie questions. Please see attached pics (disregard grease around negative post, already cleaned up) and thanks in advance.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/BkdDxfFud8ANGSid8

 

Simply replace the battery grounds! they are almost every time the culprits of electric hiccups on the MDX....

 

Do I just replace engine to chassis ground with thicker cable? How about the negative battery cable with the shorter wire that attaches to connector on chassis, how do I connect new cable to that wire and connector? Should I add tranny to chassis ground cable too? Thanks.

 

Did you replace the alternator with a new Denso or remanufactured one? I'm asking because my alternator went out in Jan 2019 while I was out of town. I bought a reman alternator (only thing available) to install to get home. I was getting check charging system even though it tested good.

Got home and took it to my Independent mechanic. Turns out the reman alternator was the issue. I put in a new Denso and problem solved.

 

Its a Denso rebuilt by a local shop (not Autozone or Oreilly reman). When you say yours tested fine, do you mean bench tested or with volt meter while car running? How much was the new Denso and was it from the dealer? Thanks.

 

Replace the 2 main ground leads on the battery with brand new OEM ones OR DIY thicker high quality grade cables, I used 1x00 cable and added a secondary ground to my battery (07-09 only uses 1 ground cable to battery). The most important are the ones leading to the battery from the chassis but you can add as many grounds from the engine to chassis you can, Transmission already has a ground wire to chassis which is beneath the battery.

 

Ok, thanks for the advice.

 

I bought mine at AutoZone. I was in a pinch and needed to get home. After installed, car started and was fine for a few hours. Then charging system notifications popped. Went to the AutoZone I bought it from and they tested with the car running and said it was fine.

I got back home, my shop tested it and got me a new Denso for $550 installed. I took the reman back to AutoZone to get my money back.

 

Or this may resolve your issue. Skirmich is super knowledgeable.

 

Thanks Nats007. TL owners had similar problems with check charging light and only solution was to replace with new Denso alternator as well. As I haven’t had any problems aside from annoying light, I’ll try Skirmich’s suggestions for now.

 

Anyone know to open the black plastic housing (see green arrow on bottom right picture) around negative cable? I’ve tried but small plastic pieces keep falling out and I don’t want to make things worse 😁. My plan was to add another ground cable to a post inside this case (assuming there is a post). Or should I just slip the new ground cable ring under the nut(red arrow) for the terminal ring? Also, just to confirm, this black housing contains the battery sensor, so no way to get rid of it (along with the wire that attaches to a clip on chassis), right? Thanks.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/BkdDxfFud8ANGSid8