Donnie Martell

1st timer here! I have searched and i am not finding anything that seems to be similar to my problem
I have a 97 ex 5spd d16y8 and while driving.. at almost any speed and holding the gas steady, the motor will speed up and slow down, i dont know how to describe it that well but its almost feels and sounds like vtec kicking in and out ( at all rpm ) ..i know thats not whats happening, but seems like the best way to describe it.. i had an IAT code, and replaced the sensor.. didnt help! .....any suggestions!?!?

tony_2018

5spd or auto?

Donnie Martell

5spd sorry!

Former User

Give some background about your car (bone stock?) and how this problem arose.

Post all codes currently stored in the ECU.

Does the cluster charging system light (battery symbol) ever turn on while driving?

Donnie Martell

Well i just bought the car a week ago. It is stock with an intake, and the exhaust fell off after the cat (im waiting on new exhaust). Higher unknown miles! :/
The car has the codes for o2s, eld, and vss, so i checked the #15 fuse, and sure enough it was blown, but when i replace it the battery light comes on, so i left it out for now! I plan to check the wires on the o2 and harness under manifold, just havent gotten to it, so i guess is the car acting like its hitting in and out of vtec at any rpm a related issue to the 15 fuse blowing?

Former User

The alternator doesn't work with fuse 15 removed or blown.

The short to ground in the fuse 15 circuit is the problem. Fix it.

http://www.tegger.com/hondafaq/tsb/civic/x99-029e.pdf

Donnie Martell

Will a short there cause the battery light to come on when i put a NEW fuse in.. it doesnt blow it, just the battery light comes on as soon as u put the new fuse in?



I have been driving for 4 days now with the 15 fuse removed??? Ive literally probably put 500 miles on like that!?

Any help as to why i am able to drive it all over with the 15 fuse removed? And why battery light comes on with a new fuse in but doesnt blow it????

Former User

Fix the short in the fuse 15 circuit.

Presumably, fuse 15 would eventually blow again if you leave it installed.

Fuse 15 is required for the voltage regulator inside the alternator to work.

Donnie Martell

I get that, but my alternator has to be working if ive put over 500 miles on correct??

Former User

The voltage regulator is NOT working so the alternator is NOT working properly. That's causing the problem described in your thread title.

Fix the short.

/thread

Donnie Martell

Im gonna stop asking the same question, to get the same response, i just dont get how can it not be working? If car has never died.. I literally drive all over!? Im confused! Lol

Former User

^Clearly.

You came here for advice because you have a limited understanding about how your Civic works. Until your knowledge increases, good advice will go over your head.

Just fix the short.

Donnie Martell

Thanks for all your help! I guess it just dont make sense that my alt isnt working but car never dies! :/

TomCat39

If you notice, Ron did not say the alternator is not working. He said it's not working CORRECTLY. There is a difference.

Think of it like this, your shower head in the bathroom, it has build up so is barely flowing water. Is it working? Yes. Is it working correctly? No. Is it working optimally? No.

Fuse15-x99-029e.pdf

The attachment may help you fix the fuse 15 short. It's the Technical Service Bulletin for the 96-00 civics concerning Fuse 15.

Former User

Donnie Martell

Thank you for explaining a little better!

Former User

You would benefit by reading responses more carefully.

Donnie Martell

Oh thanks for the advise! As im under the car now, i notice the o2 sensor has a little fray and an exposed wire? Could this be the culprit!? Or should i fix that and keep digging in!?

Former User

Post a pic. And yes, especially if one of the exposed one is the Blk/Yel hot wire, which gets voltage from fuse 15.

Donnie Martell

I really feel like a noob now! ..how u post a pic?

Former User

Click middle button in pic below and then drag and drop your pic into the browser window.

Donnie Martell

Theres only black green and white wires.. black was exposed??

Former User

There should be 4 wires, with two being black. One of the two black wires turns into a Blk/Yel wire at the connector. Trace the wires back to the 4P connector.

Donnie Martell

Lol i think im in over my head! That diagram looks like spanish to me! But i fixed that wire, and i checked wires under manifold and no problems there! So im not sure what to do, especially since the fuse doesnt blow.. i disconnected battery and check light came back, plugged fuse 15 in and battery light came right back!
I just learned the previous owner replaced vss, and battery
I also just discovered under the trunk mat an array of stereo wires laying back there most un taped.. ?

Former User

Leave fuse 15 installed to see whether it blows again. If it does, the cluster "battery" light won't turn on at all.

To clear codes from the ECU, remove the 7.5A hood Back Up fuse for 5 minutes. Then reinstall. Run engine, and check for codes. Post the numbers for all codes thrown.