In May 2023, I purchased a new battery. I am in the northeast and use the car infrequently, and it sits outside. I had not started the car in 3-4 weeks and it has been quite cold here. I tried last week and it would not start and I called AAA to jump it. Last weekend, I was able to get the car on the highway for about 3 hours. Since, I have started it every two days without a problem.

Today, I went by AutoZone to get the battery checked. They used an AutoMeter BVA-360AZ hand-held tester. It said “Good Battery” with 76% State of Charge, “Cranking Health” Pass, and “Reserve Capacity” OK. Next it showed “Good Starting System” with Pass on everything. Lastly, it tested the “Charging Test Result”. The result was “Bad Charging System”. The “Voltage Regulation” Pass, the “Diodes” Pass, but the “Charging Current” showed a Fail.

I then went by another AutoZone and unfortunately, these test results were duplicated. If the alternator is the problem, why is the battery showing good and with 76% State of Charge? I have a mechanic that will be back in town next Friday. Any thoughts as to what might be going on and what I should do next?

Thank you.

 

I, too am in the Northeast (MA) and my RDX sits for periods of time but it is in my garage with temps around 50 even in the 20 degree overnight temps. If it sits for more than two weeks I hook up a trickle charger and top off the battery. Not sure if you have this as an option, but have done this for years.

 

Thank you for your post.

I can pick up a trickle charger at Harbor Freight.

https://www.harborfreight.com/search...er%20for%20car

I am not surprised that the car did not start after sitting for 3-4 weeks in the cold that we have had. And as mentioned, it is now starting without a problem. However, based on the test results from AutoZone, I am wondering if I have a problem with my alternator. While the battery is testing good, could it be the problem?

 

Getting the battery load tested will be able to paint the full picture on it. But considering it sat for 4 weeks in the northeast with the brutally cold weather we've had, I'm not surprised if it just needs to keep being driven more. Unless your battery is defective, it should not already be going bad.

 

Alex, thank you for your post.

Today, I started the car after sitting for the past few days and without a problem. Granted it is in the mid 30's now, but that is still a good sign.

However, as I posted, based on the test results from AutoZone, the battery and starter tested good but not the alternator. The “Voltage Regulation” Pass, the “Diodes” Pass, but the “Charging Current” showed a Fail. Does this tell you anything in light of the fact that the car is starting without a problem? Should I go to a mechanic and get the alternator tested?

I can continue to start the car every few days, drive it around more frequently, and if the car continues to start, can I conclude that the alternator is good and charging the battery?

 

I would keep driving and see how the battery holds up.

 

I wouldn't trust the AutoZone test equipment. It's probably detecting low range voltage charging as defective, but it is not. Your RDX has a sophisticated multi-range voltage charging system and from reading your posts, it's charging just fine. If there is a problem, you will see a message on the dash. This is from Acura's technical press release:
Link to press release:
https://hondanews.com/en-US/releases...-US&mode=print