2003 HONDA CIVIC battery

General Troubleshooting Information
Tips and Precautions
Bef ore Troubleshooting
1. Check applicable fuses in the appropriate fuse/relay
oox.
2. Check the battery for damage. state of charge, and
clean and tight connections.
. Do not quick-charge a battery unless the battery
ground cable has been disconnected, otherwise
you will damage the alternator diodes.. Do not attempt to crank the engine with the
battery ground cable loosely connected or you
will severely damage the wiring.
Handling Connectors. Make sure the connectors are clean and have no
loose wire terminals.. Make sure multiple cavity connectors are packed with
dielectric grease (except waterti ght connectors).. All connectors have push-down release type locks (A).
Some connectors have a clip on their side used to
attach them to a mount bracket on the body or on
another component. This clip has a pull type lock.
Some mounted connectors cannot be disconnected
unless you first release the lock and remove the
connector from its mount bracket (A).
Never try to disconnect connectors by pulling on their
wires; pull on the connector halves instead.
Alwavs reinstall Dlastic covers,
Before connecting connectors, make sure the
terminals (A) are in place and not bent.
(cont'd)
22-3

Gonnectors and Harnesses
aGonnector Index
ldentification numbers have been assigned to in-line connectors. The number is preceded by the letter "C" for connectors, "G" for groundterminals or "T" for non ground terminals.
HamessLocationEngine CompartmentDashboardOthers {Floor, Door,Trunk. and Roo{lNot€s
Starter subharnessC102 and C103T1 and T2T101 and T102
(see page 22-15)
Battery ground cableT3G'l and ( -{see page 22-l!)
Engine ground cableT4{see page 22-14)
Engine wire harnessCl0l through C104G 101(see page 22 16)
Engine compartment wire harness{rioht branchiG201 and G202(see page 22 18)
Engine compartment wire harness(left brench)G301(see page 22 18)
Engine compartment wire harness(dashboard)c401C451 and C452C501 through C503c551c851G402
(see page 22-18)
EPS subharnessC151 and C152G'151\see page 22 241
Dashboard wire harness Alleft branch)C504 through C510G501 and G503(see page 22-26)
Left side turn signal lightc506(see page 22-26)
Dashboard wire harness A(right branch)C50l through C503C5ll through C515C852 and C853G502
(see page 22-26)
Right side turn si9nal lightsub harnesslsee page 22-26)
Dashboard wire harness BC40l through C403c510G40l
(see page 22-30)
ECM wire harnessc101cl52C451 through C453c511G451
{see page 22-32}
Floorwire harness (front side)C402 and C403 G551c453C508 and C509c512C551 an.l C55?
(see page 22'34)
Floor wire harness (rear side)C553 and C554(see page 22-34)
Roo{ wire harnessc507(see paqe 22-38)Hatch wire harnessC553 and C554(s6e paqe 22'39)Driver's door wire harnessC504 and C505(see paqe 22-40)Passenqer's door wi.e harness514 and C515(see oaoe 22-41Te harness)552(see oaqe 22-42i/C wire harnessc851 rhrouoh c853(see paqe 22.43i
22-13

Connectors and Harnesses
Gonnector to Harness lndex
Battery Ground Cable
Connector or TerminalCavitiesLocationConnectstoNotesT3Left side of enqine compartmentLeft side of engine compartmentBody ground via batteryqround car)le2BattervBatterv neoative terminal
Engine Ground Cable
Connector or TerminalCavitiesfocationConnec{stoNotesr45Rioht side of enoine4Right side of engine compartmentBody ground via engine
ENGINE GROUND CABLE
BATTERY GROUND CABLE
\.....
22-14

Under-dash Fuse/Relay Box
Removal and Installation
SRS components are located in this area. Review the
SRS component locations {see page 23-13) andprecautions and procedures (see page 23-14) in the SRS
section before performing repairs or service.
Removal
1. Make sure you have the anti-theft code for the radio,
then write down the frequencies for the radio's
preset buttons.
2. Disconnectthe battery negative cable, then
disconnect the positive cable, and wait at least
three minutes.
3. Remove the driver's dashboard lower cover (see
page 20-59).
4. Disconnect the connectors from the fuse side of the
under-dash fuse/relay box.
5. Remove the mounting bolt, and slide the under-
dash fuse/relay box (A) down from the bracket {B).
6. Disconnect the back side from connectors from the
back of the under-dash fuse/relay box, and remove
the fuse/relay box.
NOTE:The SRS connector is a spring-loaded lock
type (see page 23-1 1).
lnstallation
1. Installthe under-dash fuse/relay box in the reverse
order of removal and connect all connectors to the
under-dash fuse/relay box.
2. Installthe driver's dashboard lower cover.
3. Connect both the negative cable and positive cable
to the battery.
4. Enter the anti-theft code for the radio, then enter
the customer's radio station presets.
5. Confirm that all systems work properly,
6. Do the engine control module (ECM) idle learn
procedure (see page 11-139).
22-49

Battery
{Battery Test
Use either a JCI or Bear ARBST tester, and follow the
manufacturer's procedures. lf Vou don't have one of
these computerized testers, follow this conventional
test procedure:
1. Be sure the temperature of the electrolyte is
between 70'F (21"C) and 100'F (38'C).
2. Inspect the battery case for cracks or leaks.
. lf thecase isdamaged, replacethe battery.l. lf the case looks OK, go to step 3.
3. Check the indicator EYE.
. lf the EYE indicatesthe baftery ischarged, goto
step 4.. lf the EYE indicatesa lowcharge, gotostep7.
4. Apply a 300 amp load for 15 seconds to remove the
surface charge.
5, Wait 15 seconds, then apply a test load of 280 amps
for 15 seconds.
6. Record battery voltage.
. lf voltage is above9.6volts,the battery isOK.l. lf voltage is below9.6volts, gotostepT.
7. Charge the battery on High (40 amps) until theEYE
shows the battery is charged, plus an additional 30
minutes. lf the battery charge is very low, it may be
necessary to bypass the charger's polarity
protection circuitry.
. lf the EYE indicatesthe battery is chargedwithin
3 hours, the battery is OK.l. lf the EYE indicatesthe battery is notcharged
within 3 hours, replace the battery.l
A battery can explode if you do not follow the
proper procedure, causing serious injury to anyone
nearby. Follow all procedures carefully and keep
sparks and open flames away from the battery.
22-50

4. Make these input tests at the connector,
.lfanytestindicatesaproblem,findandcorrectthecause,thenrecheckthesystem.
. lf all the input tests prove OK, the control unit must be faulty. Replace it.
CavityWireTest conditionTest: Desired resultPossible cause if result is not obtained2R E D/BLUUnder all
conditions
Check for voltage to ground:
There should be battery voltage.
Blown No. 14 (40A) fuse in the
under-hood fuse/relay box
Blown No. 3 {10A)fuse in the
under-dash fuse/relay box
An open in the wire12YE L/RE Dlgnition switch
oN (r)Check for voltage to ground:
There should be battery voltage.
Blown No. l2 (7.5A)fuse in the
under-dash fuse/relay box
An open in the wire
BLKUnder all
conditions
Check for continuity to ground:
There should be continuitv.
. Poor ground {G50'1). An oDen in the wire7BLKUnder all
conditions
Check for continuity to ground:
There should be continuitv.
. Poor ground (G501)
' An open in the wire
10REDI/ELCombination
light switch ON/ =f\
Check for voltage to ground:
There should be battery voltage.
Blown No. 15 (15A) fuse in the
under-hood fuse/relay box
Faulty headlight relay 2
Faulty combination light switch
An open in the wire
1RED/B LUCombination
light switch ON
{iD), and
dimmer switch
in HIGH
Connect a jumper wire between
No.3 and No. 1 terminals.
Both headlights (HIGH) and
h igh beam indicator light
should come on.
Blown bulb
Faulty low beam cut relay
Faulty combination light switch
Poor ground (G50'l )
An open in the wire'11
3
RED/BLK
GRN/BLK
Combination
light switch ON(iD), and
dimmer switch
in HIGH
Com bination
light switch ON(iD), and
dimmer switch
in HIGH
Connect a jumper wire between
No. 5 and No. 11 terminals.
Right headlight (HIGH) should
come on.
Check for continulty to ground
There should be continuity.
. Blown bulb. Faulty combination light switch. Poor ground (G 50'1 ). An open in the wire
. Faulty combination light switch. Poor grou nd {G501). An open in the wire
5
6GRN/ORNParking brake
lever oulled
Check for continuity to ground:
There should be continuitv.
Faulty parking brake switch
An open in the wire
8BLU/REDCombination
light switch OFF
Check for voltage to ground:
There should be battery voltage.
Faulty headlight relays
Short to ground
An ooen in the wire
WHT/BLUlgnition switch
oN 0r)
Attach to ground:
The DRL indicator light should
come on.
. Blown No. 10 (7.5A) fuse in the
under-dash fuse/relay box. Faulty DRL indicator. An ooen in the wire
t5G RN/REDlgnition switch
oN (||)Attach to ground:
The brake system light should
come on.
Faulty brake system indicator
An open in the wire
22-77

Turn Signal/Hazard Relay Input Test
1. Removetheturn signal/hazard relay (A) from the under-dash fuse/relay box (B).
Inspect the relay and fuse/relay box socket terminals to be sure they are all making good contact
. lf the terminals are bent. loose, or corroded, repairthem as necessary, and recheckthe system.
. lf the terminals look OK, go to step 3.
Make these input tests at the fuse/relay box.
.lfanvtestindicatesaproblem,findandcorrectthecause,thenrecheckthesystem.
. lf all the inputtests prove OK,theturn signal/hazard relay must befaulty. Replace it
000i 0!1000
00u! u0
CavitvTesl conditionTest: Desired resultPossible cause il result is not obtained
1Under all conditionsCheck for continuity to ground:
There should be continuiw.
. Poor ground (G201)
. An ooen in the wire
3lgnition switch ON ( ll)
Hazard warning switch
OFF
Check for voltage to ground:
There should be battery voltage.
' Blown No. 19 (7.5A) fuse in the
under-dash fuse/relay box. Faulty hazard warning switch. An ooen in the wire
Hazard warning switch
ON
lgnition switch OFF
Check for voltage to ground:
There should be battery voltage.
. Blown No. 5 {10A) fuse in the
under-hood fuse/relay box. Faulty hazard warning switch. An ooen in the wire
2lgnition switch ON ( ll)
and turn signal switch
in Right or Left position
Connect No. 2 terminalto No. 3
terminal:
Right or left turn signal lights
should come on.
. Poor ground (G201, G301, G501,
G502, G553). Faulty turn signal switch. An oDen in the wire
lgnition switch OFF
Hazard warning switch
ON
Connect No.2 terminal to No. 3
termrnal:
Hazard wa rning lights should
come on.
. Poor ground (G201, G301, G501,
G502, G553). Faulty hazard warning switch. An open in lhe wire
22-87

Rear Window Defogger
Function Test
NOTE:. Be careful not to scratch or damage the defogger
wires with the tester probe.
. Before testing, check the No. 11 (30A) fuse in the
under-hood fuse/relay box and No. '14 ('10A) fuse in
the under-dash fuse/relay box.
1. Check for voltage between the ve rtica I dividersand
body ground with the ignition switch and defogger
switch ON.
There should be voltage as shown.
. lf there is no voltage. checkfor:- faulty defogger relay.- an open in the BLK, BLK,/YEL, or YEL/BLK wire.- taulty heater control panel.
. lf there is battery voltage, goto step 2.
6V
Check for continuity between the negative terminal(B) and body ground.
lf there is no continuity, check for:. an open in the BLK wire.. Poor body ground at the window antenna coil
mounting bolt.
Touch the voltmeter positive probe to the halfway
point of each defogger wire. and the negative
probe to the negative terminal,
There should be about 6 V with the ignition switch
and the defogger switch ON.
. lf thevoltage is asspecified, the defoggerwlre is
oK.. lf the voltage is not as specified, repair the
defogger wire.- lf it is more than 6 V, there is a break in the
negative half of the wire.- lf it is less than 6 V, there is a break in the
positive half of the wire.
2.
22-106
2.
Defogger Wire Repair
NOTE: To make an effective repair, the broken section
must be no longer than one inch.
1. Lightly rub the area around the broken section (A)
with fine steel wool, then clean it with alcohol.
Carefully mask above and below the broken portion
of the defogger wire (B) with transparent tape {C).
Mix the silver conductive paint thoroughly. Using a
small brush, apply a heavy coat of paint extending
about 1/8 inch on both sides of the break. Allow 30
minutes to dry.
Check for continuity in the repaired wire.
Apply a second coat of paint in the same way. Let it
dry 3 hours before removing the tape.
5.