I have a 2003 Acura CL Type S. I recently had an issue. I drove to a friends and then all of a sudden my car started idling weird, and the gauges started acting crazy. RPM gauge up and down, then they just shut off completely. Car still ran. Then the car shut off. I thought wow, weird. I have never had any major mechanical issues with this car. I have owned it since 2006. So, I thought ok maybe the battery? It was about 4 years old, figured ok could be. So I went and got a new battery, and it fired right up. Everything back to normal. However, now my battery symbol light and brake light stay on, on the gauge cluster. They do not turn off. It seems like my battery isn't charging? Any one deal with this, or have any ideas? Alternator? I thought also the relay? Thanks for any help! Been a while since I posted!

 

all sings point to alternator. I think it can be tested pretty easily at any auto parts store.

 

Have you scanned the car for trouble codes? Could be helpful to see what's in there. Some systems trigger warning lights from low voltage and simply need to be cleared and reset.
Could also be a bad ground, or connection How did the battery terminals look? Could very well be a bad alternator like stated above. Start the car and remove both battery cables, does it still run? If so the alternator is stil working.

 

Battery terminals are all good, cleaned them to rule that out. Thanks I will look into this more! Appreciate the info guys!

 

Sounds like the alternator. You can test by checking the battery with a multi-meter while the car is running. You should see around 14v. Or take it to any parts store and they generally test it for free.

Do not do the old way of removing the negative battery cable with it running to see if it continues to run. While that will show you if the alternator is working and producing the power needed, but these days with modern electronics in vehicles it can damage those.

 

Interesting.
Have you ever heard of the method where by you disconnect both battery cables and hold them together (for like 5-10min.) at the terminals to totally 'drain' all the electronics for a fresh reboot?

 

Ha, I remember people doing that one. Or putting the positive to the chassis. Any time I needed to reset the computer, I'd just remove the cable for 30 minutes or so. Always worked without the worry.

 

My money is on the voltage regulator within your alternator went. When those go the car still gets voltage but it's all over the map because the AC/DC sign waves get all screwed up and throw your electronics haywire.

 

Yeah, that's what I do when I want to reset the ECU (maybe only five min. though ) and then the idle relearn procedure.

When I was having issues with my navi screen not working when the car was running, I PM'd forum member acuratech481 (he's usually in the MDX section & is a Master Tech) and inquired to see if he had any suggestions and that was one of them (holding batt. terminals together) to try and remedy. Never did it though.

 

+1. My alternator is still original (knock on wood) didn't realize how inexpensive a rebuilt denso unit was from rock auto. wondering the quality of that part in comparison to what the dealer has...

 

Thanks for the input guys! I will let you know what I find out. Probably drive the Acura tomorrow, and get it checked.