Seeing the red battery light coming on your Honda CR-V can be a little confusing.
But if you know what it means, you can take steps to fix the issue or prevent it from happening again.
In this article, I am going to go over what the battery light means, the leading causes, and how to fix the problem.
Let’s get into it!
The Importance of the Battery on Your Honda CRV
Before diving deeper into what is causing the battery light to come on your Honda CR-V,
it’s important to understand the significance of having a fully functional battery.
The battery is one of the most important components of your Honda CR-V, as it powers almost everything that you do in your vehicle.
Without it, you can’t start the engine or even unlock doors and open windows.
What Does the Battery Light Mean on a Honda CR-V?
Now that I have briefly explained the function of the battery on your Car.
let’s look at what the battery light means on a Honda CR-V.
In short, when the battery symbol is illuminated on your dashboard, it simply means your CRV’s battery management system (BMS) and the PCM is trying to tell you that there is an issue with the battery or charging system.
This could mean that the battery needs to be replaced,
But it also could mean that there’s another underlying problem within the charging system, causing the battery light to come on.
Components of Honda’s Charging System
In order to understand what’s causing the battery light on your CRV, let’s take a look at the different components of Honda’s charging system.
- Battery
- Alternator
- Voltage Regulator
- Battery Sensor Fuse
Honda CRV Battery Light Causes
Now, let’s discuss what causes a car battery light to come on, based on my experience as a mechanic.
Bad Battery:
The number one cause of the battery light to come on is a worn-out battery.
Since the battery is always at work to keep the electronics on your Honda functioning properly, it can wear out over time.
On average the battery on your CRV will last anywhere between 3-5 years.
If your battery is old and worn out, your car computer will pick this up and display the battery light.
Battery Low Voltage:
The second most common cause of the battery light coming on is a low battery charge.
If you’ve been driving less and then park your car, it’s possible that the alternator isn’t fully charged and can only power essential systems like lights and radio.
If this happens, you’ll need to jumpstart your CR-V or get a portable battery charger to recharge your battery.
Faulty Battery Current Sensor/Fuse:
The battery current sensor is attached to your negative battery terminal and measures the voltage of your battery.
If there’s an issue with this sensor, it will cause the car computer to think there’s something wrong with the battery and display a battery symbol light.
You can get one of these from any local Honda dealer or online.
The part number is: 38920-TR0-A02
Corroded Battery Terminals:
From what I have seen, the battery terminals on the Honda CR-V are very susceptible to corrosion.
This can cause a loss of battery charge.
As a result of this, the battery light will come on.
Faulty Alternator:
The fifth and final common reason for the battery light coming on is a faulty alternator.
The alternator on CRV is responsible for charging the battery.
If it is not charging properly, the battery won’t change to its required voltage; then, the battery light will come on.
How to Fix and Reset Honda’s CRV Battery Light
Lastly, let’s look at how to fix and reset Honda’s CRV battery light.
Check the Battery
The first thing to do I recommend that you do is to check the connections.
If they are loose, tighten them up. If you find any corrosion on the battery terminals or on the cables, clean it off with a wire brush and some WD-40 or hot water.
Once you’ve done this, start your car and let it run for a few minutes to charge up your battery again.
If the battery symbol stays on, then the battery might need to be replaced.
If your CRV battery is older than 3 years, you should replace it. If the battery is newer than this and still won’t hold a charge, then there may be another issue at play.
Change the Battery Current Sensor
If the battery is relatively still new, then it’s possible that the current sensor is faulty and needs to be replaced.
The current sensor on a CR-V monitors the electrical flow from the alternator to your battery,
And if it detects that there is none, then it will trigger the battery light in order to protect your car from damage caused by overcharging.
This is found attached to the negative battery cable.
Have the Alternator Tested
If the above steps don’t reset the battery light on your CRV, then it’s possible that the alternator is faulty and needs to be replaced.
This can be done by a certified Honda technician, but it’s also something you can do yourself if you are mechanically inclined.
Additional Sources
https://www.cogginhondaorlando.com/honda-crv-battery.htm
https://www.sharphonda.com/signs-your-honda-battery-is-in-trouble.htm
https://www.underrinerhonda.com/service/service-tips/what-does-an-alternator-do/