The instrument panel on my '05 AP2 w/75k miles has a slight flicker at idle. The car's charging fine right now, having started right up after sitting 3 weeks in my driveway. I did replace the battery about a year ago, which corrected a slight flicker back then. Assuming this current flicker is the rectifier, I'm trying to guestimate how much longer until I can expect it to fail and no longer charge the battery. Any educated guesses how much longer I might have?

 

As far as i know it wont fail. All it will do is flicker. Just buy the rectifier and get that worry off you.

 

Mine started flickering at 24k miles and I fixed it after a year at 44k. I changed plugs at the same time. There is no more flicker, and if I rev the engine in neutral, it no longer bogs below 1k for a moment after the revs drop. I also noticed more engine power, but it was already at 212 whp the day before I changed the rectifier. You have plenty of time, so buy it from Majestic Honda for about half what the dealer charges. I have been using the same red Autozone battery that came with the car from the Honda dealership at 21k miles and I have never had a problem starting the car. However, I have never gone a week without driving it.

 

can any one explain to me what the rectifier is and where is located? and the benefits to changing it?

 

It will be item number 8 in the picture

http://www.hondaautomotiveparts.com/auto/j...TOR+%28DENSO%29

The reason you change it is because it contains the diodes. Since you cant change single diodes you have to replace the whole thing. which fixes the flickering at idle issue. If you dont have the flicker there is no need to do this.

 

would not hurt to check the battery again

 

the rectifier is inside the alternator. it won't be cheap because it consists of about 8 high current diodes. the semiconductors are expensive.

majestic honda charges $159 + shipping for the rectifier. you might be able to find cheapo aftermarket replacement rectifiers but those are absolute crap that won't last more than a couple years.

my opinion is to just replace the alternator w/ a used one. they usually last a very long time because oem alternators are built w/ high quality components.


btw, if your light flickers, make sure your idle is stable and the engine isn't misfiring.

 

Thanks for the input, sounds like I have some time before I risk the alternator not being able to keep up with the battery.

 

if the rectifiers are actually bad, it's not good to leave them like that for long. although most of the ac spikes will probably be absorbed by the battery, there's still a chance other electronics can get damaged. i doubt your battery likes to be hit w/ ac either.

 

I bought my 2006 S2000 new in Nov 2006. After about a year of ownership, I drove the S at at track day. The flickering instrument panel started after one of the sessions. I put up with it for years and finally changed the rectifier (which fixed the problem) in Apr 2011. Not sure if it was just a fluke or if it was related to the continuous high revs of track day driving. I'll post back if it reoccurs (next track day is in a few weeks).