Electical Issues / Headlights and interior light pulsating
#1
Honda-Tech Member
Thread Starter
Electical Issues / Headlights and interior light pulsating
2004 Honda Civic LX Coupe 1.7L Automatic
A while back the headlight and dome light started pulsating. I didn't do anything about it until the alternator died. I had a friend fix it. One of the brushes fell apart so he replaced it. Took it to Vatozone to test. Passed their test.
Car works fine for a while. I don't see any pulsating. But battery died right away too. So I get a new battery. After new battery is installed the lights pulsate again. It does this on and off. I can't seem to figure out what triggers it.
Soon after the turn signals stop working intermittently. Same with the dome light. Sometimes it doesn't want to work.
Anyone ever have this issue?
Any help would be appreciated.
A while back the headlight and dome light started pulsating. I didn't do anything about it until the alternator died. I had a friend fix it. One of the brushes fell apart so he replaced it. Took it to Vatozone to test. Passed their test.
Car works fine for a while. I don't see any pulsating. But battery died right away too. So I get a new battery. After new battery is installed the lights pulsate again. It does this on and off. I can't seem to figure out what triggers it.
Soon after the turn signals stop working intermittently. Same with the dome light. Sometimes it doesn't want to work.
Anyone ever have this issue?
Any help would be appreciated.
#3
Honda-Tech Member
Thread Starter
#7
Re: Electical Issues / Headlights and interior light pulsating
Turn the key from OFF to ON(II) without starting the engine. Does the charging system warning light in the cluster turn on and stay on? If so, start the engine. Does the light turn off?
Trending Topics
#8
Honda-Tech Member
Thread Starter
Re: Electical Issues / Headlights and interior light pulsating
The charge light comes on with key on engine off. And turns off after turning on engine.
#10
Honda-Tech Member
Thread Starter
Re: Electical Issues / Headlights and interior light pulsating
Just recently the cruise control and turn signals stopped working altogether.
#11
Honda-Tech Member
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: arlington, tx, united state
Posts: 275
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: Electical Issues / Headlights and interior light pulsating
I know you said you replaced the alternator but the rectifier might be going out. I had the same issues with my gfs car and replaced it with a denso alt and everything is good as new now
#12
Honda-Tech Member
Thread Starter
Re: Electical Issues / Headlights and interior light pulsating
I didn't replace alternator. I had it fixed by having one of the brushes replaced. The alternator has come to mind. I wonder if the test they perform at the auto parts store with the alternator in the car will tell if the rectifier is bad?
#13
Honda-Tech Member
Thread Starter
Re: Electical Issues / Headlights and interior light pulsating
I went to autozone today. They tested alternator in the car. According to them, it works.
RonJ@HT, I'm having a hard time finding the location of those grounds. Do you happen to know where they are?
RonJ@HT, I'm having a hard time finding the location of those grounds. Do you happen to know where they are?
#15
Honda-Tech Member
Thread Starter
Re: Electical Issues / Headlights and interior light pulsating
Turns out the turn signals weren't working because of the turn signal relay. Swapped that out and the turn signals work.
Now to track down the other issues.
Now to track down the other issues.
#16
Honda-Tech Member
Re: Electical Issues / Headlights and interior light pulsating
ur alternators bad mine did the same thing, it charged barely at 12.2 to 12.4 volts and the ripple current was real bad due to a failing diode / rectifier. U should get the alternator replaced promptly. because I also had a new battery like u and my alternator was just sending enough "spikes" to keep it going and now I have to get both a new battery as well as an alternator cause the old alternator fried the cells.
#17
Honda-Tech Member
Thread Starter
Re: Electical Issues / Headlights and interior light pulsating
Where did you get your alternator?
I'm not sure if I should go with new, used, or rebuilt. The used would hopefully be original parts which would be better quality, but may have the same issue as mine.
I'm not sure if I should go with new, used, or rebuilt. The used would hopefully be original parts which would be better quality, but may have the same issue as mine.
#21
Honda-Tech Member
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 51
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: Electical Issues / Headlights and interior light pulsating
The crappy aftermarket headers (megan specifically) tend to pinch the secondary o2 sensor wires (grounding them) causing all types of shorts. I've personally had it happen to my old 7th gen. Fried my ecu and shorted a bunch of stuff.
#22
Honda-Tech Member
Thread Starter
Re: Electical Issues / Headlights and interior light pulsating
ur alternators bad mine did the same thing, it charged barely at 12.2 to 12.4 volts and the ripple current was real bad due to a failing diode / rectifier. U should get the alternator replaced promptly. because I also had a new battery like u and my alternator was just sending enough "spikes" to keep it going and now I have to get both a new battery as well as an alternator cause the old alternator fried the cells.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
photostopper
Honda Accord (1990 - 2002)
1
07-07-2009 12:58 AM
rclark
Honda Civic / Del Sol (1992 - 2000)
3
01-08-2009 07:49 AM
Underwaterer
Honda Civic / Del Sol (1992 - 2000)
2
04-14-2006 08:17 PM