WEIRD PROBLEMS: RPM drop when coming to stops & lights brighten and dim at night
11-08-2011, 09:59 PM
#1
Honda-Tech Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
WEIRD PROBLEMS: RPM drop when coming to stops & lights brighten and dim at night
I noticed this a few days ago, when Im driving at night my headlights will randomly get bright then dim while driving almost as if im flashing my brights at someone.
Its very noticeable when I let off the gas. Like when I am climbing the RPM the lights are dim, then when I push the clutch in to shift and the RPM drops the lights get bright. Its weird.
I was thinking alternator but with a bad alternator wouldnt the opposite happen? Wouldnt the lights get bright when I give it gas then dim when letting off it?
Anyways, heres what Ive done so far:
-Replaced all spark plugs and wires (OEM)
-Cleaned out IACV
-Cleaned out the throttle body
-Tightened alternator belt
-Checked all fuses, none blown
Its very noticeable when I let off the gas. Like when I am climbing the RPM the lights are dim, then when I push the clutch in to shift and the RPM drops the lights get bright. Its weird.
I was thinking alternator but with a bad alternator wouldnt the opposite happen? Wouldnt the lights get bright when I give it gas then dim when letting off it?
Anyways, heres what Ive done so far:
-Replaced all spark plugs and wires (OEM)
-Cleaned out IACV
-Cleaned out the throttle body
-Tightened alternator belt
-Checked all fuses, none blown
Last edited by AsianCivicRider; 12-07-2011 at 01:21 PM.
11-08-2011, 10:02 PM
#2
Honda-Tech Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: WEIRD PROBLEMS: RPM drop when coming to stops & lights brighten and dim at night
Also forgot to mention, I went to Advanced Auto to have my battery and alternator checked, they said the battery was good but the alternator was only pushing out 47 amps.
And its a 2000 Civic EX..
And its a 2000 Civic EX..
11-09-2011, 07:08 AM
#4
Honda-Tech Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: WEIRD PROBLEMS: RPM drop when coming to stops & lights brighten and dim at night
+1 on the alt, but i dont know how they can test how many amps it was pushing usually they test for voltage anything under 13.2-12.8v i would replace the alt. good luck
11-09-2011, 08:14 AM
#5
Honda-Tech Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: WEIRD PROBLEMS: RPM drop when coming to stops & lights brighten and dim at night
Yea I plan on replacing the alt., I just have this feeling that it won't fix anything.
Anyone else experience these type of symptoms?
Anyone else experience these type of symptoms?
11-09-2011, 08:21 AM
#6
The Grumpiest
iTrader: (4)
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Oak Ridge, TN, USA
Posts: 28,333
Likes: 0
Received 16 Likes
on
15 Posts
Re: WEIRD PROBLEMS: RPM drop when coming to stops & lights brighten and dim at night
Yes. That's why you are being told to swap it out out. If you are planning to do this anyway then what is the issue?
You have a feeling? I don't go on feelings. Do some real troubleshooting.
You have a feeling? I don't go on feelings. Do some real troubleshooting.
11-09-2011, 08:51 AM
#7
Honda-Tech Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: WEIRD PROBLEMS: RPM drop when coming to stops & lights brighten and dim at night
True, but where my feeling comes from is that in all the threads I've read regarding alternators going bad the headlights brighten on throttle and dim when letting off, while my case is the opposite, and I dont want to throw parts at the car (too costly).
It only happens when its warmed up.
It only happens when its warmed up.
Last edited by AsianCivicRider; 12-07-2011 at 01:24 PM.
Trending Topics
11-09-2011, 11:07 AM
#8
Honda-Tech Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 863
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: WEIRD PROBLEMS: RPM drop when coming to stops & lights brighten and dim at night
If your alternator tested bad. I would just replace it. Atleast you know the alternator for sure is bad. If u don't want to replace the whole unit. Just rebuild it, its cheap. If the problem persist, then look for another diagnosis. And if you find other defective parts during your search, replace those too.
its better to replace worn broken parts before your car completely dies and leaves you stuck in the middle of the road
its better to replace worn broken parts before your car completely dies and leaves you stuck in the middle of the road
11-09-2011, 06:35 PM
#9
Trial User
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: WEIRD PROBLEMS: RPM drop when coming to stops & lights brighten and dim at night
Im having this issue where when I come to a stop as I push the clutch in the RPM will drop quite low like to 400-500 then recover to normal idle. Doesnt happen when Im just sitting parked in neutral and give it gas. When I do that it just drops straight back to the normal idle speed.
Also, I noticed this a few days ago, when Im driving at night my headlights will randomly get bright then dim while driving almost as if im flashing my brights at someone.
Its very noticeable when I let off the gas. Like when I am climbing the RPM the lights are dim, then when I push the clutch in to shift and the RPM drops the lights get bright. Its weird.
I was thinking alternator but with a bad alternator wouldnt the opposite happen? Wouldnt the lights get bright when I give it gas then dim when letting off it?
Anyways, heres what Ive done so far:
-Replaced all spark plugs and wires (OEM)
-Cleaned out IACV
-Cleaned out the throttle body
-Tightened alternator belt
-Checked all fuses, none blown
Could it be a bad ground connection? And if so, where are all the grounds located?? I can only see the one from the battery.
Also, I noticed this a few days ago, when Im driving at night my headlights will randomly get bright then dim while driving almost as if im flashing my brights at someone.
Its very noticeable when I let off the gas. Like when I am climbing the RPM the lights are dim, then when I push the clutch in to shift and the RPM drops the lights get bright. Its weird.
I was thinking alternator but with a bad alternator wouldnt the opposite happen? Wouldnt the lights get bright when I give it gas then dim when letting off it?
Anyways, heres what Ive done so far:
-Replaced all spark plugs and wires (OEM)
-Cleaned out IACV
-Cleaned out the throttle body
-Tightened alternator belt
-Checked all fuses, none blown
Could it be a bad ground connection? And if so, where are all the grounds located?? I can only see the one from the battery.
11-09-2011, 06:43 PM
#10
Trial User
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: WEIRD PROBLEMS: RPM drop when coming to stops & lights brighten and dim at night
If your alternator tested bad. I would just replace it. Atleast you know the alternator for sure is bad. If u don't want to replace the whole unit. Just rebuild it, its cheap. If the problem persist, then look for another diagnosis. And if you find other defective parts during your search, replace those too.
its better to replace worn broken parts before your car completely dies and leaves you stuck in the middle of the road
its better to replace worn broken parts before your car completely dies and leaves you stuck in the middle of the road
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
dmxsoulja3
Honda Civic / Del Sol (1992 - 2000)
12
12-24-2004 11:55 AM
