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96 civic weird light dimming while driving

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Old 04-07-2007, 09:24 PM
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Default 96 civic weird light dimming while driving

my lights go bright and dim like a switch, not like a smooth fade, i can see it happen most the dime dim when stopping/low speeds or slowing down bright at mid/high rpms and speeds

but its not like a voltage regulator thing its somthing else im sure.

my old 96 civic did it too but only after i ran a obd1 ecu, i thought it had somthing to do with the eld but never was able to figure it out. repaced the altenator on that car too just in case. when the car was put back to obd2 it didnt happen again.. but my current other 96 civic is still obd2 and it starting doing it..

im gona try to check all my grounds some time soon but if anyone has had this problem and figured it out let me know
Old 04-07-2007, 09:28 PM
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mine does that also..i think its a common thing between 96-98 civics
Old 04-07-2007, 11:14 PM
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i dno what that is to b honest... mine never does that...
Old 04-07-2007, 11:48 PM
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Default Re: 96 civic weird light dimming while driving (7808)

when my civic did it, it was the alternator.
Old 04-07-2007, 11:58 PM
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Default Re: 96 civic weird light dimming while driving (ATLianIntruder)

does it only happen when you push in the clutch?
Old 04-08-2007, 09:06 AM
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Default Re: 96 civic weird light dimming while driving (808draggers)

no.
Old 04-08-2007, 10:44 AM
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try to pick up on the pattern. Something must be causing it. Unless the car is possesed.
Old 04-08-2007, 11:19 AM
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Default Re: (sageuvagony)

happend to me long time ago with my 91 teg, has to do with the alternator and how old is ur battery is try replace ur alternator that might be it
Old 04-08-2007, 11:39 AM
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Default Re: (super-hatch)

My b20 swapped Ek does the same thing under 3.5k rpms, after that the interior and head lights get much brighter. Wish I could figure out what the hell is causing it since it is slightly annoying.
Old 04-08-2007, 12:11 PM
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Default Re: (97ShLude)

ya i think you know what i mean, really doubt its a battery/altenator thing because i trouble shoot'd/replaced those when my last car did it.
Old 04-08-2007, 01:18 PM
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Default Re: (7808)

just an idea, it might have to do with power steering, it might be the power steering pressure switch or somthing mine never did it until i installed power steering which my car didnt come with bad had originally
Old 04-09-2007, 09:10 AM
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Default Re: (7808)

bump for more ideas
Old 04-09-2007, 09:19 AM
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Default Re: (7808)

i had i similar problem before and one of my buddies told me to get a ground kit. and it stop doing it, might work for you too never know.
Old 04-09-2007, 09:24 AM
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Go to your nearest Honda dealer and see if you can't get them to make you a copy of service bulletin #99-029. This should be the answer to your problems.
Old 04-09-2007, 09:26 AM
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Default Re: (SlowSOHC-T)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by SlowSOHC-T &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Go to your nearest Honda dealer and see if you can't get them to make you a copy of service bulletin #99-029. This should be the answer to your problems.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Can you please elaborate on this?
Old 04-09-2007, 09:33 AM
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Default Re: (Padawan)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Padawan &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Can you please elaborate on this?</TD></TR></TABLE>

Not a problem.. Basically due to the wiring setup on the 96-98 body style cars the wiring harness sits extremely close to the intake manifold. This causes heat to get transfered into the wiring and melting a few of the coating on the wires and they rub the manifold. This causes a voltage drop in the car due to it shorting out. This will cause the lights to flicker and go from dim to bright. What will more than likely have to be done is re-tape the wires and as I did move the stock bracket for the harness to a lower location. If they won't give you a copy i will try and get one for you...

LMK if this doesn't fix it...

It happend to my 97, my wifes old 98 and to a buddies 96. Hopefully this will take care of it, I feel your pain bc its a pain in the ***..
Old 04-09-2007, 11:00 AM
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interesting, which part of the harness exactly does it affect? the part behind it that goes to the manifold sensors or the part under it ?
Old 04-09-2007, 11:05 AM
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Default Re: (7808)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 7808 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">interesting, which part of the harness exactly does it affect? the part behind it that goes to the manifold sensors or the part under it ?</TD></TR></TABLE>

yep the one that goes to the sensors I believe. Its been 3 years since I've looked at one..
Old 04-09-2007, 02:20 PM
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Default Re: (SlowSOHC-T)

Damn. I just made a post about the same problem. My lights dim in and out very fast. Don't matter what light it is either. Only when the car is running and not all the time either. If I restart the car a few times it sometimes goes away.

I'll look into the harness issue. What sux is I just bought my hatch 2 days ago and didn't notice it at 1st. I might have been able to knock the price down some.

I hope it turns out to be a simple fix. It is so annoying at night when the dash lights are the brightest and all the running lights and headlights do it also.
Old 04-09-2007, 05:43 PM
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Default Re: (DammitDan)

my 98 also does the same thing, i posted to see if there was a sure fix a long time ago but it does not seem like there is a sure fix for this one.
Old 04-09-2007, 05:54 PM
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Default Re: (Ser1N)

my 98 ex coupe does the same after i change the alt im about to check over everything u guys stated couse the flickering get very annoyin when u drive
Old 04-10-2007, 03:55 AM
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To the last three posters, do as I stated above. Contact you local honda dealer and give them that number and see if they can print it out for you... They should with no problems

This should take care of the problem..
Old 04-10-2007, 06:29 PM
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Default Re: (SlowSOHC-T)

thanks i will give that a try.
Old 04-11-2007, 01:06 PM
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i havent been able to get to the dealer yet but there must be somthing to this because google brought up some stuff http://www.google.com/search?h...9-029
Old 04-11-2007, 02:19 PM
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Default Re: (7808)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 7808 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">i havent been able to get to the dealer yet but there must be somthing to this because google brought up some stuff http://www.google.com/search?h...9-029</TD></TR></TABLE>

The TSB is not a recall. So the dealer is gonna charge you an arm and a leg.

Does anyone know exactly what part of the harness gets messed up (what part of the intake mani location)??????


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