Dashboard Warning Lights

Tiny
SATBHARDWAJ
  • MEMBER
  • 1999 HONDA ACCORD
After starting the car the following red warning lights at the dashboard will stay on:

Brake,
Battery
All car doors open

Initially all these lights and other warning (almost all) were flashing for some time and then the above lights will stay on continuously. Intermittently these will flash also, like there were some loose connections.

What could be the problem?

Thanks,
Sat
Monday, February 27th, 2006 AT 1:35 PM

17 Replies

Tiny
BRUCE HUNT
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,754 POSTS
Is the check engine light on too. It seems too coincidental for the sensors on all of these to go out. This sounds very much like a loose connection at a wire connector, probably up in the hard to get spot at the back of the dash cluster.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+8
Friday, March 3rd, 2006 AT 5:31 PM
Tiny
HOKIEDALE
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Hello Sat and Bruce,

This morning, the exact same behaviour started with my 1999 honda accord EX. No engine check light, just the warning lights. They would intermittently go on and off sort-of like a short. All the same lights that Sat had mentioned - doors, rear brake light, battery and hand brake.

It appeared to happen more frequently and immediately when I applied the footbrake.

Sat - did you find the issue?

Thanks for the help.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+13
Thursday, February 7th, 2008 AT 11:13 AM
Tiny
HOKIEDALE
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Okay since there are no responses here, for historical purposes, I will let everyone know what I found out.

After my lights started blinking, the speedometer and tachometer and radio etc. Cut out. The engine was running but the transmission (since, I guess it is electronic) quit working. I pulled over and cut the engine off. It would not start back. I hooked up jumper cables to another car and it started just fine, but I only made it 200 yards before the same behavior happened.

Come to find out, my alternator had sheared the two bolts off that were holding it to the engine block, and the belt had detached. I guess, while the blinking was going on with the warning lights, the alternator was going through the process of becoming detached (intermittently working). Once it let go altogether, the battery drained, and the electrical functions in the car ceased.

Long story-short. I was able to retract the sheared bolts and remount the alternator. Everything is working fine
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+13
Tuesday, February 12th, 2008 AT 11:53 AM
Tiny
MILANILIC
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
Hi all,

I've had the exactly same problem with my Honda Accort 1999 Auto VTEC SE. The mechanic traced the fault to faulty Voltage Regulator in the alternator. It was replaced and Bob's your uncle! :-) :-)

It cost me 65 Euros (in Montenegro) in total, but I've read somewhere that a Honda service in the UK would replace the alternator outright and would charge  200+ for that, so I'm happy.

Hope this helps.

Milan
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+4
Monday, February 18th, 2008 AT 12:16 PM
Tiny
EMGOMEZ
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
I currently have the same problem. My car runs fine, however the lights turn on red on the dash from time to time. I had the alternator checked and it was fine. Everthing I have red points to the volatage regulator. Is there a way to check it? When the alternator was checked, the voltage regulator should have read that it was bad. I was told the voltage regulator is in the alternator. Has anyone else had this problem and fixed it? Thanks for the help!
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+2
Saturday, June 21st, 2008 AT 2:00 AM
Tiny
JD5566
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
I have 1998 Honda Accord EX with same issue - dash lights started blinking intermittently. The following day, car would not start. Battery tested fine. At this point I assumed alternator issue.

Took to mechanic for diagnosis and repair. He agreed, alternator issue. Just got car back for THIRD TIME with THIRD new alternator installed. Dash lights just blinked again.

I hooked up voltage regulator previously and noticed that when I decellerate to less than 1500 RPM alternator cuts off momentarily and battery begins to drain. Soon, alternator cuts back on.

I am clueless and confused, and mechanic seems to be as well. Could he possibly of put THREE bad alternators on?

Oh. And yes, voltage regulator is built on to alternator.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+5
Thursday, July 10th, 2008 AT 7:58 AM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
Hi JD5566,

When testing voltage, did you test both at battery terminal and alternator main mast? Both same reading?

If reading is different, you could have a broken wire which has intermittent contact. Check for a bad main fuse contact.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+4
Thursday, July 10th, 2008 AT 8:21 AM
Tiny
ACCORD2002
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
Hi! I had a similar issue with my daughter in law's 2002 Accord! All the lights in the dash came on, but, the car was working ok. I told her not to drive it, until I could check it out. The battery and starter had been replaced 10 days before! I checked the voltage in the battery and it was good. I cleanned all the cable connections at the starter, alternator and all the grounds for the eng! Still the lights were on! I removed the Alt and took it to Autozone to be checked and God an behold, it failed! It seems that it was going bad and I was lucky that I caught it on time! I replaced it and the problem was corrected. A good tip, connect the Battery wire on the alt before you install the mount bolts to the alt. It is a lot easier to turn the alt facing up, to install the nut! There is not to much room between the Rad and the alt to do it after the Alt is bolted on! Also, disconnect the upper hose of the power steering reservoir and make sure that it is plugged! This will make it a lot easier to remove the alt mounting bolts and pull it out of the engine!
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+6
Wednesday, January 11th, 2017 AT 5:50 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 46,214 POSTS
Great addition to this thread! Nice work, it looks like it is the alternator problem causing this issue.

Best, Ken
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
-1
Sunday, January 15th, 2017 AT 6:12 PM
Tiny
BIG DADDY02
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1999 HONDA ACCORD
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 65,000 MILES
My daughter ran off the road slightly and hit a small hole with the right front tire. She corrected and and came back on the road, but the warning lights on the dash came on and would not go off. On the dash the battery light, door open lights, brake light, SRS light, stays on. The car runs fine and I can find no problems with the steerings. Please help.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+4
Tuesday, November 20th, 2018 AT 10:34 AM (Merged)
Tiny
LEGITIMATE007
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,121 POSTS
I think a false code has been set, after all it was probably a nice little "bang" to the cars system. I would bring it to your local parts place and have them run a scan on the computer(free) and clear any codes that may have been set. See how that goes, if it doesnt change anything, then jot down any diagnostic trouble codes and bring them to me for further diagnosis
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Tuesday, November 20th, 2018 AT 10:34 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DENNISP51
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1999 HONDA ACCORD
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 186,452 MILES
This just happened, when I started up the SRS light, ABS light, Brake light, Battery Light, All door indicators saying they are open and the back rear brake light on the car icon also. Oh yes also the Tac, speedometer did not work, but odometer did. Within 5-10 minutes the speedometer and Tac started working after on and off a couple times. The ABS light went off also, then the SRS light went on and off depending on movement, if I am driving it goes off when stopping it comes back on. But here is the question the Brake, Battery and door indicators all are staying on ! They went out twice all at the same time, but then all came back on. I has to be a short somewhere, will diagnostics tell me or?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+2
Tuesday, November 20th, 2018 AT 10:34 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JEREMIAH
  • MECHANIC
  • 217 POSTS
You could have it scanned but I have a feeling you will have codes from all systems ranging from low voltage to high resistance.
Your might have a power supply problem since you are getting lights from all systems even though they have separate wirings. It may sound strange, but check your alternator condition as well as the wires in between then your grounds.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+3
Tuesday, November 20th, 2018 AT 10:34 AM (Merged)
Tiny
GIL SNOW
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1998 HONDA ACCORD
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 73,400 MILES
The charging system, brake system and brake light warning lights all illuminate at the same time but they flicker on and off randomly. The battery has held a 12.5 - 13 volt charge for a week after several trips of approx. 30 minutes. The brake fluid level is okay. The brakes operate normaly with excellent braking action. The brake lights continue to operate normally.
Additionally, I randomly have difficulty in getting the shifter from Park to the Drive (D4) postion because the push button on the shifter will not depress
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, November 20th, 2018 AT 10:34 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
Hi Gil Snow,

There seems to be a blown fuse under hood causing the lights to show.

The push button problem might be due to a faulty brake switch. The next time you are unable to shift the gears, get someone to check if the brake lights are showing when brake pedal is depressed.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Tuesday, November 20th, 2018 AT 10:34 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JERRYSEVILLE
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1998 HONDA ACCORD
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 63,000 MILES
Three lights came on simultaneously: Battery Light, Door Ajar Light, Brake Light.
Is this one problem or multiple problems?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, November 20th, 2018 AT 10:34 AM (Merged)
Tiny
WIZE_N
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
I have the same problem with my 98 accord v6. I have replaced the alternator. The problem went away for a day and now all of these same lights will come on and off intermittently. Please let me know if you resolve this or if you wish to exchange any ideas
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+3
Tuesday, November 20th, 2018 AT 10:34 AM (Merged)

Please login or register to post a reply.

Sponsored links