Problems with the Integra alternator in your DOHC B series engine can lead to serious issues with your Acura or Honda. When your headlights are flickering or you find your battery is dead more often than not, your alternator could be the problem. Testing your B series alternator is easy to do and contrary to what most people believe, you don’t need fancy equipment. All you need to conduct this test is a simple multimeter, which you will use to test the alternator directly in your Integra.
Today I’ll be showing you how to test a Integra alternator in a 1997 Acura. To begin your B18 alternator test, you will begin by opening your Integra hood and starting your engine. Turn the dial on your multimeter to read DC voltage, and measure the battery directly.
After testing the Integra battery, there’s one of two results that you will see. Either your battery while operating is being charged correctly, or it’s not. If your battery reads between 13.5 and 14.5 volts of DC power, let your Integra idle for 5-10 minutes and test again. To help matters along, turn on everything in your Acura. This means the headlights, the dome lights, your stereo and hazard lights.
After a few minutes if you notice that the voltage begins to dip, this is a clear sign that your alternator is not working. If you read 12.5 voltage that continues to decline, you need to test the alternator directly. Problems with your alternator will cause your battery to dip to between 10 to 9 volts of DC power.
If your Integra battery reads a steady voltage between 13.5 to 14.5 volts, the problem is not your alternator. If you find your battery is draining, or you are coming out to your car battery is dead in the morning, there’s a different cause.
However if you see that your battery is reading a low voltage that continues to go down as the Integra idles, it’s a clear sign of trouble.
Turn off your engine and inspect the alternator belt. Make sure the belt is tight and that there’s good tension at this belt, and that your alternator pulley is turning properly.
The next step is testing the Integra alternator directly, to do this you’ll need to be able to test the alternator, which is located on the driver side behind the engine block. Before you test the Integra alternator, check the main 80 amp or 100 amp fuse to see if it’s blown.
How does my Integra alternator work?
The alternator is a belt driven device that generates power to charge your battery. This charge is delivered through your main fuse, so if that’s blown there’s a chance that your alternator is still good, but due to the blown fuse it’s not charging the battery as it should.
If the fuse seems good, then the next thing to test is the continuity between the alternator and your battery. To do this, disconnect the negative Integra battery terminal from your battery. Now turn the dial on your multimeter to read OHMS, and you’ll be measuring the large terminal of your alternator and the battery itself.
However if you see an overlimit error on your digital multimeter, this means that the fuse protecting your circuit has blown, or the wire has a break in it somewhere.
If the wiring to your Integra alternator seems good, the fuse checks out and the belt tension seems good, chances are the B series alternator has died.
You will need to remove the upper 12mm bolt and the slide the Integra alternator forward and into the engine. This will loosen the drive belt to your alternator, which will allow you to remove the lower bolt and remove the alternator.
Install a new replacement B series alternator to restore the charging operation of your Acura. Have any more questions about this alternator testing guide? Leave us a comment below and let us know!