So I was just driving my RL home and it was driving fine. Upon stopping at the traffic light near my home, all sorts of warning lights were coming on, such as charging system, sh-awd, power steering. I could smell something burning. When the light turned green, I could barely move, and it felt like the car was stuck in a higher gear. I finally made it home (just about a half mile) and parked. Turned off engine, and now car is totally dead. Battery is about 1 year old. When I opened the hood, I did smell a burning smell.

 

How's your alternator and door handle sensors? Do the door handles work? Go to each door handle on the outside and check if it smells like it burnt.

 

There is literally no power at all. Door handles do not work. I have to use the physical key in the slot to lock/unlock the door. Even the little green LED light for the "door" button does not work. Towed car to dealer. I'll find out on Monday what their diagnosis is. I am suspecting it is the alternator.

 

I meant did they work before this?

 

Yes, they worked fine. This is the first time something on the car has "broken" in the 14 years I've owned it.

 

well, the first step would be to look at the charging system, the battery and then the alternator.

both items could smoke and provide a burning smell.


also, the way you worded "first time something broke in 14 years" sounds like you havent maintained it in 14 years. lol
but i know that isnt the case, as I know you maintain it.

 

Again?

 

Haha, yeah, the first warning light that came on was charging system, then everything else followed. I'll hear from the dealer on Monday I presume. I'll keep you all updated.

 

Definitely sounds (smells) like an alternator

 

Bearing can get stuck in Honda alternators.. I had a couple stuck alternatators due to the bearing failure.
From reading your post seems like u will make this repair very easy: throw away old RL and buy new one from dealer.

 

Haha, I very much doubt that will happen here. I keep cars a long time, until they become too expensive to repair. But if I did get rid of it, I'd be replacing it with something new, not used. I might consider a TLX with SH-AWD but only after the next FMC with the updated infotainment stack.

 

The issue was indeed the alternator. The battery is also fine, being only about one year old. They charged it up and it's holding its charge.

 

Keep the RL then... Better car...

I'd just keep fixing it like 4cruzin and clymerdude.

And if I needed another car, hunt down a clean one!

But, that's just me though...

 

 

I have a 2007 RDX with 270K miles. It needed some work between 200-230K miles, but since, has been damn near bulletproof.

Keep up with the maintenance and they're good!

 

I think even if you pay someone to do the work, it's still cheaper than buying a new car. My philosophy has always been to buy a good quality car (not necessarily "fancy") and keep it until it's not worth fixing. I'm middle aged and have only owned 4 cars in my life, 3 of which are still owned by me. It's a great way to not waste money, constantly buying new cars.

That said, after the alternator repair, it's driving great. My dealer always does an inspection each time I'm there for a service, and everything is "green" on their checklist. Of course, some things will still break without warning (like alternator) but even if you spend $1-2k per year on repairs, that's cheaper than spending $45-55k for a replacement, which is likely what I would do if I had to.

 

I lunched an alternator nearly 3 years ago, and the A/C compressor about 8 months after that. Smooth sailing since then here, too.

 

I'm glad your battery survived. I had an AGM battery in mine, that was wrecked when the alternator died. Had many of the same symptoms as you described. Lucky for me the battery was under warranty, and pep boys replaced it without question.