XGlite015

I have been experiencing electrical power problems with our 1995 Automatic Civic. On heavy usage of the electronics (wipers, lights, radio, etc.), the lights dim and the radio shuts off. When I turn off the headlights and rev up, the radio comes on and the dashboard lights go bright again. I turn on the headlights again, everything's fine again, but if it sits in idle for a minute or less, the lights dim again and the radio goes off again and the car won't start once it is turned off. There was one incident that I managed to get the car home and it still started in the morning, but it was a short distance driving. If I drive for more than 40 minutes, I can probably still get home by turning off some of the electronics and the headlights when idle, but the car won't start in the morning, the battery completely drained. There was one rare occasion when the tachometer needle jumps up and down like a bouncing ball while the dashboard lights dim. It seems like an alternator problem since the battery can still start the car if fully charged, but we did test the alternator and it is charging around 12.8-13.7 volts and the alternator still runs if we take out one of the battery wires. The problem only occurs when heavy usage of electronics are required. I can use the car all day long with just the AC or radio running and there will be no problems like the radio shutting off. But once wipers or headlights are turned on, the problem will start to occur, unless I drive on the highway when the car is always revving. It seems that constant revving even with heavy electrical usage will not allow the alternator to weaken and the electronics to shut off or the lights to go dim. Is this an alternator problem or something else? we had the alternator replaced with a rebuilt one almost a year ago because of burned diodes. can the battery be also the culprit?

steveeb

If you rev the engine and things go back on and/or brighten, I'd say it's a battery issue. If it was the alternator, everything would go dead and not come back on.

Also, make sure to check your ground wires (I think there are three total). Take them off each side and use some light sand paper to clean the contacts on both ends of the wires and where they contact the engine or body.

XGlite015

Thanks for the response, steveeb. I'm starting to think that it could be a battery issue, but it still manages to start the car. With tested the alternator again day ago. With just the headlights on, the alternator is charging and the meter measures around 13-14 volts. Same with just the hazard lights, radio, etc. Except for the A/C with the compressor on, the meter goes down to 12.2 volts and goes up to almost 13 when revving. I do hope it's the battery, it's easier to replace that, but I've also read on other threads that it could be an alternator problem.

fragmare

Wow. Sounds possessed lol. But, yea, check your grounds. Things turning off and on when the car revs sounds like it's responding to vibration from the engine... which, initially anyway, points to bad ground contacts. Either that, or call a catholic priest. :p

XGlite015

LOL'd at your post, fragmare. I'll try your suggestion. Gonna check the grounds later. Thanks. =D