Battery light

[supton]

So it was -6F (-21C) last night. Fired up the '03 CRV this morning, really slow cranking... set the battery light. I couldn't get the hood open, but after 1-2 minutes of idling the light went out. I know the battery voltage was really low, but I thought the light came on if it was not charging. Maybe it's programmed to set the light on low voltage too?

Going to take for a spin and see if I can get the hood thawed out. Guessing this will all self-rectify, but curious if Honda has a low voltage warning (which would be odd, given how many threads I've read about where a battery replacement "fixes" a whole host of electrical gremlins).

 

[Trav]

Stories like this make me thankful I do the big 3 cable upgrades and oversize batteries in all my cars. I had the same conditions as you this AM with Mobil 1 0w40 in the sump it didn't really crank, it lit right up and had oil pressure immediately, no different than if it were 70f outside.
I bought a hydraulic crimper some years ago and buy the all copper fine strand cable and plated lugs in bulk, it takes all of 10 min to make a high quality cable.
2/0 for the + and - and 2awg for the + to fuse box with 2 inch braided for additional grounds. It makes a huge difference when the temps get in the 0f and lower range.

 

[supton]

Im working on swapping in a 24f battery, the box didn’t fit and i didn’t feel like messing with it at the time. Future mod as this 51 battery is tiny!

 

[repairman54]

-15F remote starts in the last few days in the ADK with no issues in my 5.3 Tahoe. 3 yr old Odessey battery.

 

[GSCJR]

Probably just a one off. On my '03 Toyota, the SRS light would always flash intermittently on my way to work at termperatures close to -20c. It was like a frigid outside warning!

 

[LazyDog]

Stories like this make me thankful I do the big 3 cable upgrades and oversize batteries in all my cars. I had the same conditions as you this AM with Mobil 1 0w40 in the sump it didn't really crank, it lit right up and had oil pressure immediately, no different than if it were 70f outside.
I bought a hydraulic crimper some years ago and buy the all copper fine strand cable and plated lugs in bulk, it takes all of 10 min to make a high quality cable.
2/0 for the + and - and 2awg for the + to fuse box with 2 inch braided for additional grounds. It makes a huge difference when the temps get in the 0f and lower range.

Do you also upside the alternator cable going to the battery???

 

[supton]

-15F remote starts in the last few days in the ADK with no issues in my 5.3 Tahoe. 3 yr old Odessey battery.

That’s a different vehicle? I know cars start in the cold, my question was about how the battery light works.

 

[repairman54]

Point was battery size, quality of and health of it. Battery was super low after starting up. You said it slow cranked. Battery light came on due to low voltage. Some vehicles will set a CEL in that instance but being a '03 it may be programmed to just trigger the battery light instead of a CEL which seems to be the current fashion.

 

[Warstud]

In -6 F degree weather that is normal. But 60 degree or above weather it's Not normal. Keep some jumper cables in the car to be on the safe side.

 

[Pelican]

-15F remote starts in the last few days in the ADK with no issues in my 5.3 Tahoe. 3 yr old Odessey battery.

Yes for an Odyssey it's a walk in the park!

 

[Pelican]

That’s a different vehicle? I know cars start in the cold, my question was about how the battery light works.

The battery light comes on when the vehicle detects a problem with it, could be low voltage, discharged battery, alternator problem or any other problem with the electrical circuitry. To be investigated.

 

[Pelican]

Batteries need upkeep like any other pat of the vehicle, but seldom get it and then only when/if the light comes on.
My battery (flooded cells) is 5yo and today at -21c it started as strong as ever. I always make sure that the water is above the cells and I desulfate & recharge it twice a year Spring & Fall with a CTEK smart charger.

 

[JeffKeryk]

@supton don't feel too bad. I just replaced a friend's 2019 CR-V battery, same 51R, and it doesn't get cold here. $110 out the door at Costco. Guy told me, "Honda battery. We can't keep them in stock."
Our '06 TSX has a toy battery as well. I think the V6 Accords of the same vintage got the bigger battery while the K24s got the toy.

 

[supton]

I don’t feel bad at all, we have but one week of single digit temps here, then the rest of winter is not so bad. Most of the time it starts fine. Not going to go crazy over it. I do want to swap batteries, if nothing else to a common (cheaper) size and in my other vehicles.

 

[Trav]

Do you also upside the alternator cable going to the battery???

Yes 2awg.

 

[zzyzzx]

This is why I have a voltmeter installed in my car. My guess is that the alternator was straining to recharge the battery after a really cold start. If you have a battery tender use it, and I bet this doesn't happen when you do.

How old is the battery and have you been working from home lately?

 

[supton]

Working from home whole time, although this one hasn’t been here the whole time. Sees usage a couple of times per week.

2019 battery. 500cca. Bought a cheapie battery tester (per a recent thread), after a quick run this morning (pair of 20 minute drives at 60mph) and then sitting for a bit, it says 400cca and 12.57V. bit low I think so I might drag out a charger.