A local S2000 has a weird problem.

Happens when at a stop or driving low RPM style. His instrument cluster fades (faintly, but noticeably) in and out. Dark to light, but very faintly.

He had his trusted Honda guy (Glen Love @ Bellevue Honda) take a look at it. Linked up this fancy Honda tablet PC kinda deal to the car and his car showed steady lines. Looked like an EKG thingy for a car. 14.6 something volts consistent. Glen said anything above 13.8 is good.

But still, the instrument cluster is doing weird things, but he suspects it's the alternator. The fluctuations are so sensitive, the instrument cluster is the only one showing affect v. other electrical components in the car.

Anyone experiencing the same thing? Thoughts?


Additional Facts:
-flickers when idle.
-at higher rpms does not flicker
-does not flicker whenturning cluster on with just battery power
-completely stock S2k

 

Is there a radar detector hard-wired?

 

Maybe a bad ground wire somewhere in there? Also could be a loose fuse.

Warren

 

Check the battery terminal connections. They might need cleaning or tightening. Also could have something to do with the voltage regulator.

 

Anyone got solved?
i got same problem.

 

have you tried all of the suggestions above?

 

Miles and year would help as well.

If the alternator tested good under load, it is probably good. If the headlights, audio, etc. all function correctly, the alternator is 95% chance good. If the problem has been consistent and not getting worse relatively quickly [dying alternators do so in a matter of days not months], it's not the alternator. Bad ground/wiring/fuse.

 

That fancy Honda Tablet PC thingy is probably a digital oscilloscope. It's really only kind of fancy.

I would charge the battery and clean the terminals.

 

to anyone reading this. REPLACE THE ALTERNATOR.

ive already posted this. when the cluster flickers, the alt is wasted. it will put out correct voltage, yet the diode is bad, and you are getting some AC voltage, and low amperage. also, when you replace it, change the battery.
i have seen 2 go bad now, one of them is my own, on an 04. other was mikeys, on his 03. honda was bent at me, and claimed theyve never seen one fail, one honda dealer (next to my current shop) said there was nothing wrong, so i took it to the honda i trust,, and they tested it with the honda tester, it said it was fine. they connected the snap on one, BAM said it was toast. the tester i have cost 2g's and it said it was toast first try. get a nice interstate battery to go with it, and clean your terminals every 10k miles. youll see a nice difference in battery life. laters, PM is you need more info. dave

 

fixed up! That was Alternator.
Thanks guys