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4 Wheel Drive/SUVs/Honda Odyssey 2003 alternator

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Expert: - 11/9/2011


Question
I have a Honda Odyssey 2003. Several months ago I was driving and saw lights on dashboard (all lights flashing around the car image on the dashboard). According manual they indicated alternator problems. I was on road for my vacation. So I continue driving until car stopped. Using AAA  I brought car to nearest mechanic who changed alternator. He told that battery is ok. Car was running great. But still from time to time I have the same flashing lights on dashboard. They are not constant. They appear and disappear. Several times I brought car to mechanic, but problem wasn't reproducible. I still had to pay for mechanic time. Any ideas?
Thanks. EFIM

Answer
Efim,

I would replace the battery as you drained it to a point where it may have overheated, and has an internal short when under a heavy load.

If you do replace it, make sure that the terminals and connections are clean and tight.  Also check the alternator wiring, and wiring to the battery for loose connections.

Carl

4 Wheel Drive/SUVs

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Carl Brandt

Expertise

Will discuss suspensions, lifts, lockers along with tire suggestions. Trail ratings and possible requirements needed for specific type of trails. Safety equipment and what you should carry with you. Certified off-road instructor. I am not a mechanic, and 4-Wheeling is a hobby, so if I can't answer a technical question it is due to my mechanical knowledge being related to vehicles that I have owned, or have worked on. I do not have manuals on all vehicles.

Experience

40 plus years of 4 wheeling in a variety of vehicles. At the present time, my major off-road rig is a 94 Jeep Wrangler with a spring over and a 1 1/2" suspension lift. This gives me a total lift of 7" or so. I have lockers front and rear. I have removed the track bars, and sway bar for maximum articulation. I am running a stock 2.5 ltr 4 cylinder with a Jacobs ignition along with a cold air high flow filter. It has 4.56:1 gears with a Dodge NV4500 transmission along with a 3.8:1 Atlas II transfer case. This gives me a final ratio of 105:1 in low gear/low range. Other vehicles I own, are a 96 Ford F-250 with a 6" lift, posi rear end, 36" Hummer tires, 5 speed with a fuel injected 460 ci engine, an 87 Samurai with an 8" lift, Ford 9" rear end with a spool, Chevy Dana 44 front end with an electric locker, 5.88 gears, 16% reduction in high range and a 6.5:1 low range with 35" Baja Claws, and a stock 2003 Grand Cherokee Overland. Trails I have run are the Rubicon (10 times), Dusey Ershim, Fordyce Creek trail, McGrew trail, several trails in Moab, Utah along with local monthly runs.

Organizations
Lost Coast 4x4's Cal 4-Wheel Corva UFWDA Blue Ribbon Coalition

Education/Credentials
Certified off-road instructor - Certificates in engineering/electronics

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