[qqzj]

Thanks for keeping this in mind. I don't know what was the cause of the problem. I removed the old alternator, drove 20 miles and picked up the new one from a Napa. I directly returned the bad one and didn't bother to check. It has been 19 years and 150k miles. If it died, I will let it pass. If I am retired or have tons of time on my hand, I probably will have fun playing with it. But sadly, I don't have time. Just need to get it over. Also don't want to drive 20 miles just to return the core again.

In the end, Napa did a good job and helped me out this time. Here is the bill from Napa

REMAN ALTERNATOR
Part #: DEN 2100580
Qty: 1

$289.79
$255.99 /each
+ $85.00 core /each
- $51.20 Email Promo
Estimated Pickup Date: 30 mins
Order Summary

Subtotal (1 Items): $289.79
Estimated Tax: $28.62
Total: $318.41
You Saved: $51.20

The list price is $255.99, I found a coupon which knocked 20% off. So total is $318.41. But Napa refunded me the core with tax of the core, so I got $93 back. Total is $225. Buying from RockAuto is $252.42 total, shipping and tax included. Core is $70. I guess I can get $77 back. So total would be $175. But I need to send the core back. Shipping for me is more expensive than for business. Say sending the core back is $20. So total from RockAuto is 195. It is still cheaper than Napa, but Napa can help me finish the business today. So I think Napa is pretty good. Much better than AutoZone and O'Reilly's. Both of them don't have the Denso Reman in stock. In addition, I also got a nice hat. I am tired today. Will continue the story tomorrow.

 

[qqzj]

It’s a good idea to have this in your car.

View attachment 135027

This thing won’t work for my problem 🤣

 

[AcuraAddicted]

Can you please let us know if the problem is solved?

 

[qqzj]

Sure. I only did a 3 minutes test run yesterday. Everything looks okay. I am going to take the car to AutoZone for a real test this weekend. Will keep you guys posted.

 

[qqzj]

OK. The problem is solved! I took the car to AutoZone for a test. It passed all the tests for battery/alternator/starter. All in, I spent $225 for the alternator and $18 to get a new battery. My battery died one month short of the 3 year warranty. Since when I bought the battery it was 3-year full replacement warranty, I got a new one nearly free. (But if we buy from Costco now, it is pro-rated 3-year warranty.) So considering I got a pretty good deal on the battery, it doesn't seem to be such a bad occurrence. Also my alternator died in a pretty dramatic fashion relative to others. So the diagnostic part is actually pretty much non-existant.

There is such a great satisfaction to get things done by oneself. Otherwise, justing towing the car to the dealer or a shop would be almost $100. (San Mateo is a pretty expensive place in the whole coutnry.) And I don't even know how much it is nowadays to get it fixed with the requirement to use a Denso alternator. Considering just the alternator without coupon is more than $270, I guess the bill wont' be lower than $800, right?

For the actual work, I followed this video exactly. This kind of almost professional production is indeed much better than normal videos made by mechanics or home warriors. After I dug out the old battery. I drove it back home and get the rest done in my garage. It would have been a gigantic hassle if I have to reinstall the serpentine belt in the parking lot. The drive home was pretty scary because power steering was gone. Expect to turn the steering wheel like a mad man. Thankfully, I have only 0.5 miles to cover.

The only thing I want to point out to the fellow MDXers in the repair process is that Denso replaced the stud on the top nut with a bigger one. The one I got from the old unit has a 12mm nut. The new stud requires a 13mm one. It took me a VERY long time trying to put the 12mm nut on the new stud without luck and eventually I lost the nut in the engine bay. Then I grabbed a spare 13mm nut to put it on and it worked in the first attempt. In this aspect, Denso is actually not as nice as other reman/aftermarket unit like the one in the video. They came with a new nut. I was not experienced enough to try it out before the alternator was put into the car. Lesson learned.

It is really sad that I always planned to do a real thorough alternator/starter DIY and take a ton of pictures and put them on the forum to share. But when it really happened, it was not an option. Hopefully, I can do a better job next time. Happy motoring guys! Thanks for the help.

 

[jimhow4545]

Replacing the alternator on the MDX pretty easy.

 

[philwood]

I read many threads on check charging system tonight. It seems that the symptom is not the same as mine. Typically check charging system, if really due to alternator, won't leave people stranded. People typically will have plenty of time to debug it. However, typically, people got stranded due to a bad battery, which can lead to a 'check charging system' warning and a sudden death. Does it make sense to others?

My batter is 3 years old from Costco. Damn the quality of batteries really went down these days. And Costco's warranty is only pro rated 3 years. If they really give me this BS, maybe I will buy the battery from other places. Does Auto Zone/Napa/Oreilly's sell better batteries than Costco? Thanks.

I had a NAPA battery that was loosing capacity. Still within 2 year warranty. Paid about 30 bucks to get a 3 year battery.

 

[rvasic]

Same happened to my MDX at 150k, but less smoke sensation. Replaced alternator, and all was OK. And yes, dashboard lit up like Christmas tree, there were lights I never new they existed. When battery is very low, computer is reporting a lot of sensors as bad.
I hope it was same for you, just alternator.

 

[mick11892]

Thanks for the help! Sorry I was trying to simplify things a bit. When I first came to the parking, there was still a bit of juice left in the battery. When I turned the key, the dash, at least part of it, did light up. However, just about 5 minutes later, nothing was on. It turned dark. So I don't really know. I will check the belt tomorrow for sure. Thanks for the reminder.

In the meantime, if anyone has any good suggestions on how to deal with this situation, please let me know. Really need some good ideas on how to diagnose this situation. Also where to buy the alternator? How much am I looking at? There are new and Honda refurbished alternators, which ones to choose? Now I am going to do some search and see what others have done for the 'check charging system' warnings. Thanks.

Don't screw around with a rebuilt alternator, buy a new one. Amazon is usually a good choice. And check your battery sensor, they sometimes will give you a fit.

 

[qqzj]

Yeah. I did not know that these alternators quit around 150k miles en masse I could have replaced it as preventative maintenance item. That’s a much safer and easier experience.

 

[Chokra]

I had almost similar experience in the middle lane of three lane access road after dark. 135,000 miles 2007 MDX. The car gave significant number of warnings which I ignored - dashboard lit up with multiple symbols, engine would intermittently come on and then almost die.. Lights would flicker and finally the car died. Thankfully no one rear ended until the cop and tow truck arrived. Got it towed in the middle of the night.
After fully charging and testing batteries and alternator loads, changed out the alternator from RockAuto. And it was back to normal.

 

[jackbarr2010]

I have 150,00 miles on my 2010 MDX about 3 years ago my car would not start so I bought a new battery from AAA. A month later that battery died, then a third. My uncle told me he once had a similar problem but discovered it was a live wire in his trunk, that apparently never shut off and was draining his battery. After my 4th jumpstart I decided to take his advice and shut everything off when the car was parked. I turned off EVERY inside light, the radio, AC, unplugged phone chargers. I have not had a problem in over a year. Problem fixed.

 

[voau]

99% it’s the alternator, and you want nothing but Denso! Go to Rock Auto for best deal.

 

[CountBlacura]

Happened to me back in January... I was a bit luckier because I have a pretty fresh AGM battery in mine, so I was able to get across town with all the accessories turned off that would turn off. It started off showing the "check 12v charging system" message when I was in motion, then go away at a red light and eventually stayed constant. I ended up parking it and ordering the OE Denso reman alternator.

 

[Squirrelcur]

I've said this before and I'll say it again until they teach it in high school. Please, always treat batteries as maintenance items, not parts. If you buy a three year pro-rated warranted battery, replace it about three months before the warranty is up. If it is a fully lifetime warranted battery (unheard of these days) replace it exactly the day the warranty expires. The money you will save in gas, alternator repairs or replacements, belts (especially serpentine), towing and other related old battery issues will be many times what you saved by living with batteries that "Die Hard".

 

[smstenge]

My daughter was driving near home tonight. Suddenly she saw a warning light coming on. Check charging system. Then VRS ABS SHAWD lights all showed up. Then car died in 2-5 minutes that she couldn’t remember for sure. 10 minutes later when I arrived car was completely died. There’s some burning smell. I think this is might be an alternator problem? But typically alternator can last a while before the car is dead. So I am quite curious whether others have similar experience?

Now car is dead in a parking lot. What should I do? I’m thinking maybe I can get a new battery tomorrow and drive the car home. Then I can take my time fixing it. Is it a good idea? Thanks.

Any other suggestions? I know I need a genuine OEM alternator. Thanks.

Just had the exact same thing happen to my 2010. Yes it is the alternator and the ignition ran on the battery until it was completely discharged. Your battery should be good after a recharge.

 

[Dominik-X]

It’s a good idea to have this in your car.

View attachment 135027

How often do they need to be recharged?

 

[ucantak3dis]

Yeah this was the same symptoms when my alternator went out in my 08 back in 2016. All the lights and car ran on battery until it gave out on an off ramp. Hated the feeling when it was on a Sunday and no where close to a shop.