Does anyone know of a problem for Civics involving chafing of the wires for
the dash panel?

I have a 1998 Civic LX. I had the symptoms described below and finally took
it to a Honda dealer (after replacing the alternator). They said there was a
"wire bundle chafed" and they had repaired it. About six months later, I got
the Check Engine light again, with nothing else wrong. It has been on
continuously for almost a year. A tester on the readout connector says just
"Error E2."

What wire bundle might be prone to chafing?

--Dave Shugarts


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Original symptoms


While driving, the Check Engine light came on dimly and reached full
brightness within about a minute.

Stopped car, read the handbook, which advised that three driving trips might
reset the light.

Drove three trips. Check Engine light remained on, and electrical
appliances, such as the heater fan, began to surge noticeably. Also,
speedometer began to behave erratically‹even with car stopped, increasing
engine revs could peg the speedometer.

Took car to a local garage. They checked voltage and said the alternator was
not putting out power.

Changed alternator.

On first startup, Check Engine light was out for about one minute, then came
back on. Electrical system appears weak. The effect appears no longer to
influence the speedometer, however.

[Took it to a Honda dealer. They diagnosed "chafed wire" and fixed it, but
the Check Engine light came back on six months later.]