Hi there I have a 89 Prelude 2.0Si and when I start the car up. The battery check light comes on and stays on. I'm thinking it is either my battery or my alternator. So I tired doing this: With the car on, I disconnect the ground on the battery to see if the car stays on running. It just dies out when I do that. I heard that was a way to test if the alternator was going/bad. If the car would of stayed on then that would of meant the alternator was good? Thanks for your help...

 

Get a voltmeter. Measure your battery with the car off. It should be around 12 volts. With the car running and the blower, lights, etc. on, voltage at the battery should be around 13 to 15 volts. Any lower than 12, then the alternator is more than likely the culprit. Point being, voltage at the battery should be a little higher when the car is running, than with it off. This is one way to test the alternator. Also, check for bad grounds, battery connections, etc. Or better yet, go to Autozone and they'll check it for free. From my experience, if you get an alternator from Autozone, PepBoys, Advance Auto, or wherever, get the one with the lifetime warranty. If you get the one with the one year warranty, it'll stop working in one year and one day.

 

^agreed, go to autozone and they will test the battery and the alternator for free. They will also check it while it's on the car so you don't have to un-bolt it.

Life time warrenty is a must.

 

Thanks for the help I just don't want the car to stop working on my way there or back b/c the autozone from my house is about 20minz away. I'll probably buy a meter to check it and return it after I'm done...

 

Does anyone have a link with instructions (Step by step/pictures) to removing/installing a 89 Prelude 2.0SI alternator? Thanks!

 

It's pretty straight forward, there's a mounting bolt and a adjusting bolt. bolt it off, un-plugg connections and That's that. When you put it back on, make sure you torque it down to the specs (not sure what it is on the prelude) but for the integra:
Mounting Nut (33 ft-lbs)
Adjusting Nut (17 ft-lbs)

Make sure the belt is tight or else you will get an annoying belt squeak.

 

okay..thanks Food2000.....I don't remember, but do you or anyone here know if I need to remove anything else out of the way (ie power steering pump)before I can get access to remove the alternator? Thanks

 

What i think you should do before taking the alternator in, is to go ahead and make a 20 minute trip to autozone. Have them test / recharge the battery and see if that's your problem. I forget what about doing that test where you disconnect the neg and see if the car can run on the alt. I remember someone explaning to me why that bad and how it's a misconception. If it's not the battery then maybe you have to pull the alternator.

i'll go and lookat my friend h23's lude today and see how to get to the alt but i'm not sure if the 89 / 95' ludes are the same... anyone else can help this guy?