2003 Odyssey - interior light flickering

[mrshardee2]

I have an 2003 Odyssey that evidently has an electrical problem that nobody can figure out. If the car is cranked and a door is open, the interior lights flicker. If the car is off, or all doors are closed and the lights are on, there is no flickering. Anybody else have this problem?

Thanks!
Amber :-)

[gunnmen01]

cranking a motor over takes alot of the batterys power, is it causing any other problems or just the flickering while you crank?


gunnmen01

[mrshardee2]

The lights don't flicker while I'm cranking, only after the car is cranked and running.

Amber

[lorunner]

Could be a normal thing. I really haven't looked at any other Oddy. to see if they do it to but i can tell you this all of these cars have what they call an ELD which controls the voltage coming out of the altenator and only supply power to run what it need and when a load is detected it tells the alt. to supply more voltage. I know that the dash light and the headlight will flicker to some degree but i never noticed if the ceiling lites do to.

[lorunner]

maybe this will help to.





Headlights & Dash Lights Dim
With Electrical Load
NOTE: This article applies to all Honda models
except Passport.
Soon after the change from daylight savings time to
standard time (the last Sunday in October), Tech Line
gets numerous calls about flickering or dimming
headlights and/or dash lights when the brakes or turn
signals are used.
This flickering or dimming happens when the battery
is supplying most of the current for the electrical load
instead of the alternator (something a customer is
more likely to notice when their headlights are turned
on).
Since the early ’90s, Honda vehicles have come with
an electrical load detector (ELD) unit in the
under-hood fuse/relay box. This unit allows the
ECM/PCM to regulate the alternator (switch it
between high output and low output) to provide the
best combination of fuel economy and electrical
system operation. The ELD sends a signal to the
ECM/PCM that’s proportional to the electrical
demand. The ECM/PCM switches the alternator
between high output and low output depending on
several factors, which include electrical demand,
battery charge level, and the driving cycle. When the
alternator is in low output, the engine load is reduced
and fuel economy improves.
If your customer complains about this flickering or
dimming, tell them about the ELD unit and how it
works. Unless the engine won’t crank, or the vehicle
has other symptoms of a weak battery, chances are the
flickering or dimming isn’t an electrical problem.
ELD UNIT
UNDER-HOOD
FUSE/RELAY BOX

[mrshardee2]

That may just explain my problem. Thanks!

[lorunner]

No problem. Im not saying thats its totally normal it depends on how severly they flicker.

[baldysmoltzy]

I have the same problem with my 03 Odyssey. The flickering is very bad, and the flickering is irregular. I also know of another person in FL with the same problem. I would be interested to see if there are any other thoughts.

[Rufnusd]

That reply from Honda is ridiculous. It states "This flickering or dimming happens when the battery
is supplying most of the current for the electrical load instead of the alternator (something a customer is more likely to notice when their headlights are turned on)."

If your auto is relying on battery power while it is running that means the alternators output is being overloaded. If you exceed this up to 120%, permanent alternator damage will take place.

The primary purpose of a battery is to start your car. The secondary is to smooth AC ripple from the alternator. At no time should your car rely on its battery for current while running.

If my dome lights flickered on my Ody I would look at the timed relay which is affiliated with the ign key switch, door trigger, and the override switch on the dash. Let the dealer fix it, in fact insist that they do.