# Electrical Short in the Rain **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** civic, honda\ **Created:** [May 10, 2013, 5:45pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/electrical-short-in-the-rain/79230 "2013-05-10T17:45:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ahenri](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/6a8cbe/32.png) [@ahenri](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ahenri)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2013, 5:45pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/electrical-short-in-the-rain/79230/1 "2013-05-10T17:45:23Z")
I have a 2003 Honda Accord that I bought used two years ago. Lately, when it rains heavily, the battery light on the dash turns on and the power steering shuts off. I’ve had to pull over a couple of times. The problem only happens when I drive over 20 mph, solves itself within a minute after I stop, and never happens when it’s dry outside. I think the problem has to do with splash from water on the road. Does anyone know what’s going on, and how I can fix it? It’s pretty dangerous. Thanks, A ---
**Author:** ![shadowfax](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/shadowfax/32/13026_2.png) [@shadowfax](https://community.cartalk.com/u/shadowfax)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2013, 6:31pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/electrical-short-in-the-rain/79230/2 "2013-05-10T18:31:24Z")
does it make any squealing noises when it’s doing this? ---
**Author:** ![knfenimore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9fc348/32.png) [@knfenimore](https://community.cartalk.com/u/knfenimore)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2013, 7:08pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/electrical-short-in-the-rain/79230/3 "2013-05-10T19:08:11Z")
Is the splash guard missing under the car? ---
**Author:** ![ahenri](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/6a8cbe/32.png) [@ahenri](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ahenri)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2013, 7:08pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/electrical-short-in-the-rain/79230/4 "2013-05-10T19:08:55Z")
If I remember correctly, it does. They aren’t very loud, and only last a moment at a time. ---
**Author:** ![shadowfax](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/shadowfax/32/13026_2.png) [@shadowfax](https://community.cartalk.com/u/shadowfax)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2013, 7:24pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/electrical-short-in-the-rain/79230/5 "2013-05-10T19:24:51Z")
Check your belts for proper tightness and condition. ---
**Author:** ![ahenri](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/6a8cbe/32.png) [@ahenri](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ahenri)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2013, 7:47pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/electrical-short-in-the-rain/79230/6 "2013-05-10T19:47:23Z")
My mechanic went over the belts a few weeks ago, but the problem persisted. ---
**Author:** ![the\_same\_mountainbike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@the\_same\_mountainbike](https://community.cartalk.com/u/the_same_mountainbike)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2013, 7:49pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/electrical-short-in-the-rain/79230/7 "2013-05-10T19:49:36Z")
Did he check the tensioner? ---
**Author:** ![knfenimore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9fc348/32.png) [@knfenimore](https://community.cartalk.com/u/knfenimore)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2013, 8:01pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/electrical-short-in-the-rain/79230/8 "2013-05-10T20:01:11Z")
Again is the splash guard under the nose of the car? ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2013, 4:34am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/electrical-short-in-the-rain/79230/9 "2013-05-11T04:34:29Z")
As implied above, it _does_ sound like the belt(s) driving the alternator and power steering pump is getting wet and slipping. ---
**Author:** ![ahenri](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/6a8cbe/32.png) [@ahenri](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ahenri)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2013, 6:01pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/electrical-short-in-the-rain/79230/10 "2013-05-11T18:01:16Z")
It looks like there’s no splash guard- do y’all think that’s letting water onto the belt? ---
**Author:** ![knfenimore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9fc348/32.png) [@knfenimore](https://community.cartalk.com/u/knfenimore)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2013, 6:34pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/electrical-short-in-the-rain/79230/11 "2013-05-11T18:34:07Z")
Yes. Get a splash guard and this will fix your problem. Water and electricity do not mix.