Honda Element 03

Birdbrain2 · 08-09-2008, 06:56 PM

My Element loses its battery charge if car is not run for five days. New battery, but vehicle has aftermarket remote alarm and door lock system. Also, the center roof inside light doesn't work, and I can't figure out how to remove the light's cover. Maybe the problem lies there, any ideas? thanks, birdbrain2

**Midnight Tech** · 08-10-2008, 01:07 PM

Try this: the next time that the car will not be driven for a period of time, remove the negative battery cable and see if it loses charge. If it doesn't you either have a large parasitic draw or bad diodes in the alternator.

Birdbrain2 · 08-10-2008, 01:30 PM

Midnight tech, thanks...it didn't start again this morning, after only one day of no driving, so I will follow your suggestions.

Are Bad Diodes unusual, or normal in a '03 Honda alternator with 66K miles? If we run it everyday, there isn't this no-starting problem, and isn't a diode either working or not working? I really don't know. thanks

**Midnight Tech** · 08-10-2008, 02:00 PM

Diodes can go bad after any length of time - they serve as an electronic "check valve" and only let current flow in one direction. When they go bad they let the current "leak out" backwards from the way it normally flows.
Running it every day keeps the battery built up - not enough leaks out to make it act up.

**SABL** · 08-11-2008, 09:24 AM

Hi BB2,

Trying to figure out where to start............ hang on.

Have you had the alternator checked for output?

Checked belt tension?

Have you had the battery checked? Sometimes mistakes do occur during the manufacturing process.

Is the security system a recent install? Did you start having problems soon after the installation?

As for the interior light.... depending on the style..... sometimes the lens is removed by squeezing the lens and pulling outward (or down). For flush mounted lenses you have to gently pry the lens out with a suitable tool..... small putty knife. Do not handle the new bulb with bare fingers (depending on the type of bulb), the natural oils on your fingertips may cause premature failure. I use a clean cloth or paper towel when handling certain bulbs......you just have to know which bulbs.

Let us know how things are going.
SABL

08-09-2008, 06:56 PM	#1 (permalink)
Birdbrain2 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 3 OS: xp	Honda Element 03 My Element loses its battery charge if car is not run for five days. New battery, but vehicle has aftermarket remote alarm and door lock system. Also, the center roof inside light doesn't work, and I can't figure out how to remove the light's cover. Maybe the problem lies there, any ideas? thanks, birdbrain2 Last edited by Birdbrain2; 08-09-2008 at 06:57 PM.

08-10-2008, 01:07 PM	#2 (permalink)
Midnight Tech Admin/Head GreaseMonkey/Igor's alter ego/Grand Exalted PoohBah Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: SC Posts: 2,920 OS: Windows XP Home/Pro SP3/Windows 98SE/Fedora Core 6/RH 7.2 with Autopoint/TAMS II	Re: Honda Element 03 Try this: the next time that the car will not be driven for a period of time, remove the negative battery cable and see if it loses charge. If it doesn't you either have a large parasitic draw or bad diodes in the alternator. __________________ Please post all questions in the appropriate forum. Questions sent by email or PM will not be answered. Sharing my life...with my Imzadi! Interested in Trek gaming? Check out the Dynaverse! Proud supporter of the Carolinas Aviation Museum. If we have helped you in any way, please donate to keep TSF up and running!

08-10-2008, 01:30 PM	#3 (permalink)
Birdbrain2 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 3 OS: xp	Re: Honda Element 03 Midnight tech, thanks...it didn't start again this morning, after only one day of no driving, so I will follow your suggestions. Are Bad Diodes unusual, or normal in a '03 Honda alternator with 66K miles? If we run it everyday, there isn't this no-starting problem, and isn't a diode either working or not working? I really don't know. thanks

08-10-2008, 02:00 PM	#4 (permalink)
Midnight Tech Admin/Head GreaseMonkey/Igor's alter ego/Grand Exalted PoohBah Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: SC Posts: 2,920 OS: Windows XP Home/Pro SP3/Windows 98SE/Fedora Core 6/RH 7.2 with Autopoint/TAMS II	Re: Honda Element 03 Diodes can go bad after any length of time - they serve as an electronic "check valve" and only let current flow in one direction. When they go bad they let the current "leak out" backwards from the way it normally flows. Running it every day keeps the battery built up - not enough leaks out to make it act up. __________________ Please post all questions in the appropriate forum. Questions sent by email or PM will not be answered. Sharing my life...with my Imzadi! Interested in Trek gaming? Check out the Dynaverse! Proud supporter of the Carolinas Aviation Museum. If we have helped you in any way, please donate to keep TSF up and running!

08-11-2008, 09:24 AM	#5 (permalink)
SABL Moderator Relaxation Room Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Galena, Ohio Posts: 1,224 OS: WinXP SP3	Re: Honda Element 03 Hi BB2, Trying to figure out where to start............ hang on. Have you had the alternator checked for output? Checked belt tension? Have you had the battery checked? Sometimes mistakes do occur during the manufacturing process. Is the security system a recent install? Did you start having problems soon after the installation? As for the interior light.... depending on the style..... sometimes the lens is removed by squeezing the lens and pulling outward (or down). For flush mounted lenses you have to gently pry the lens out with a suitable tool..... small putty knife. Do not handle the new bulb with bare fingers (depending on the type of bulb), the natural oils on your fingertips may cause premature failure. I use a clean cloth or paper towel when handling certain bulbs......you just have to know which bulbs. Let us know how things are going. SABL