Never heard of that. If the fan failed, I suppose the battery could of overheated being in an insulated box with no air flow. That could have caused a fluctuation in voltage, and trigger any number of sensors/modules to log faults.
Battery Fan responsible for AWD and Charging System Warning Lights?
New to the club so apologies if I've missed the answer to my question within another post. 2017 sport built 11/16. VIN 18928 so not specifically in harness recall. Out of the blue the charging system and AWD lights came on. AWD definitely not working but no issues discernible with charging system (I've had alternators go bad so I know what that looks like). And I've been driving it for the last few days without problems. Took to dealer today and was told the battery fan failed and it's the root cause of both. Anybody heard of that?
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Thanks, Wilsel. Agree and makes sense, just felt like the tech was feeding me a line because his statement ended with what sounded like a question mark. Would've thought that someone else has experienced the same problem but can't find any evidence of it and the tech says he's never seen it before. Will report back when the dealer replaces the fan.
The battery cooling fan has three connections - ground, power, and communication. The fan receives power whenever the ignition is on. The PCM turns the fan on by sending a command over a LIN line (Local Interconnect Network) line which is shared with the alternator. If there is a short between power and ground within the fan or wiring, ignition fuse C28 will open. If the LIN line is shorted or open, you'll get a charging system warning light because the PCM can no longer communicate with the alternator and the AWD system will be disabled to reduce power consumption as a precaution in case the alternator may be unable to charge the battery.
If that's not it, I would suspect a loose B+ sensing screw on the alternator per TSB 18-010.
If that's not it, I would suspect a loose B+ sensing screw on the alternator per TSB 18-010.
You just made my brain overheatThe battery cooling fan has three connections - ground, power, and communication. The fan receives power whenever the ignition is on. The PCM commands the fan on by sending a command over a LIN line (Local Interconnect Network) line shared with the alternator. There are no DTC's related specifically to the battery fan. It is diagnosed by checking for power and ground then commanding the fan on using the HDS. If the fan doesn't operate, it should be replaced. If there is a short between power and ground within the fan or wiring, the ignition fuse C28 should open. If the LIN line is shorted, you'll get a charging system warning light because the PCM can no longer communicate with the alternator and the vehicle will disable the AWD system to reduce power consumption.
If that's not it, I would suspect a loose B+ sensing screw on the alternator per TSB 18-010.
!!!!!I have a 17 RTL-E. Same thing happened to me. Last week I started it up and both lights came on and stayed on. Fearing it wouldn't start if I stopped I went home and shut it down. Waited a few minutes, started it and the lights didn't come on. Used it the rest of the day. Next morning same thing. First start and the lights came on. Took it to the dealer on the 2nd and left it overnight. Thankfully when they started it the lights came on so I didn't have to hear "can't duplicate the problem". They put the code reader on it and service manager told me it was showing alot of codes but they didn't know why. I reminded him about the harness and he said they will look into it. Called me back and said he talked to the tech and the harness would not cause all of those codes. He said they cleared the codes and that should take care of the problem. I thought no way that was going to work but I wasn't going to argue with him. Well, I am glad I didn't argue with him. Since I got it back no lights. Maybe I have a ticking time bomb but so far so good. The thought remains why did the lights come on and why all of the codes.
Thank you, zroger73. I see why you are a super moderator! Will make sure the dealer has these details and check ignition fuse C28. Will also recommend they look at the B+ sensing screw on the alternator per TSB 18-010. Thank you again.
sgt3729 - Thank you for the post. Precisely the reason I chose to get this out was to learn from others that experienced the same symptoms.
Agree why did the lights come on? Skeptical it's a 'fluke' that can be resolved long-term by clearing the codes and feel strongly there is an underlying condition that will reoccur. Certainly will investigate with the dealer the points raised by zroger73. Will let you know what I learn.
Is yours still under b2b warranty? Mine is and wonder if different treatment in warranty vs out?
Agree why did the lights come on? Skeptical it's a 'fluke' that can be resolved long-term by clearing the codes and feel strongly there is an underlying condition that will reoccur. Certainly will investigate with the dealer the points raised by zroger73. Will let you know what I learn.
Is yours still under b2b warranty? Mine is and wonder if different treatment in warranty vs out?
I have a 17 RTL-E. Same thing happened to me. Last week I started it up and both lights came on and stayed on. Fearing it wouldn't start if I stopped I went home and shut it down. Waited a few minutes, started it and the lights didn't come on. Used it the rest of the day. Next morning same thing. First start and the lights came on. Took it to the dealer on the 2nd and left it overnight. Thankfully when they started it the lights came on so I didn't have to hear "can't duplicate the problem". They put the code reader on it and service manager told me it was showing alot of codes but they didn't know why. I reminded him about the harness and he said they will look into it. Called me back and said he talked to the tech and the harness would not cause all of those codes. He said they cleared the codes and that should take care of the problem. I thought no way that was going to work but I wasn't going to argue with him. Well, I am glad I didn't argue with him. Since I got it back no lights. Maybe I have a ticking time bomb but so far so good. The thought remains why did the lights come on and why all of the codes.
Wait ... we have a battery fan? I did not know that. I'm going to have to be nicer to Carbone Honda, this is a complicated vehicle and I may need them.
Yes, I am still under warranty. I will be going out of warranty May.sgt3729 - Thank you for the post. Precisely the reason I chose to get this out was to learn from others that experienced the same symptoms.
Agree why did the lights come on? Skeptical it's a 'fluke' that can be resolved long-term by clearing the codes and feel strongly there is an underlying condition that will reoccur. Certainly will investigate with the dealer the points raised by zroger73. Will let you know what I learn.
Is yours still under b2b warranty? Mine is and wonder if different treatment in warranty vs out?
Yeah I was just about to comment on blinker fluid and flux capacitors but I guess it turns out that a battery fan is a real thing. . .Wait ... we have a battery fan? I did not know that. I'm going to have to be nicer to Carbone Honda, this is a complicated vehicle and I may need them.
Which lights. Are you assuming everyone would know the charging system and AWD lights came on, or were there different lights? It always helps to be as explicit as you can when describing a problem.I have a 17 RTL-E. Same thing happened to me. Last week I started it up and both lights came on and stayed on.
I apologize, but I think there is a difference between being explicit and being redundant. Since the title of the thread isWhich lights. Are you assuming everyone would know the charging system and AWD lights came on, or were there different lights? It always helps to be as explicit as you can when describing a problem.
"Battery Fan responsible for AWD and Charging System Warning Lights" when someone posts that they had the same problem with their lights coming on, no further expaination is needed as to what problem they are referring to.
And that is why some have difficulty when relating problems to the dealer service department.I apologize, but I think there is a difference between being explicit and being redundant. Since the title of the thread is
"Battery Fan responsible for AWD and Charging System Warning Lights" when someone posts that they had the same problem with their lights coming on, no further expaination is needed as to what problem they are referring to.
Moderator's note: Okay, gentlemen - that's enough of that.
Battery fan replacement part is in and I have a service appointment next Tuesday (1/14) to have it installed. Will update at that time. Thanks all for the replies.
Coincidentally had about 3 inches of snow yesterday with a layer of ice underneath. My wife’s ‘18 Audi Q7 AWD with 45 series all season tires was useless. Wouldn’t even make it out of the driveway. Felt confident my ridgeline would’ve danced out but unfortunately couldn’t test it because no AWD. ?
Coincidentally had about 3 inches of snow yesterday with a layer of ice underneath. My wife’s ‘18 Audi Q7 AWD with 45 series all season tires was useless. Wouldn’t even make it out of the driveway. Felt confident my ridgeline would’ve danced out but unfortunately couldn’t test it because no AWD. ?
Had the same warning lights and same diagnosis today. Fan will be replaced next week.
I have the exact problem. My 2017 had been at the dealer numerous times trying to fix that problem. They have changed the powertrain module and the alternator twice. Finally received a call from them today saying the battery fan was at fault and ordered a new one. I will update when that has been replaced and if my AWD and battery charger problem is fixedNew to the club so apologies if I've missed the answer to my question within another post. 2017 sport built 11/16. VIN 18928 so not specifically in harness recall. Out of the blue the charging system and AWD lights came on. AWD definitely not working but no issues discernible with charging system (I've had alternators go bad so I know what that looks like). And I've been driving it for the last few days without problems. Took to dealer today and was told the battery fan failed and it's the root cause of both. Anybody heard of that?
Welcome to the Ridgeline Owners Club, @Pacey Miller!
So a shorted $3 fan can confuse the PCM into thinking the alternator isn't charging. Remember when cars/trucks didn't require a fan to keep a battery cool?
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