Corksil

hey i'm tryin to get my sol swap running and it's really weak and has no power. it will barely move the car on flat ground. forget about hills.

it's also running really rough. but firing on all 4 cyl.

what does a battery light on dashboard mean?

battery says 13v when it's running.

Former User

Problem with the charging system (alternator).

Corksil

i will check alternator wiring right now.

anything else to check before taking alternator down for a test?

grannys65

check ur ground wires

Corksil

aaand would this be how the car is running off of just the battery if the alt was bad?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5SYLFDLb73E

extremely weak. can't move car up any slight incline. bogs. weak. very weak.

Corksil

which grounds should i check? i just reinstalled motor, could have forgotten one.

Former User

For tech threads, you should include information about your car in your signature or at least in your first post.

If you have a multimeter, you can easily test whether the alternator does not charge the system.

Corksil

sry about that.

so the alternator is not working according to multimeter, or it's incredibly weak. i will take downtown and test it.

is there a dedicated ground just for the alternator?

Former User

The ground for alternator is the large wire that runs from the alternator to the hood fuse box and charges the battery. Is that wire clean, tight and undamaged at the alternator, fuse box, and in between? If it's fine and the alternator belt is tight, then have the alternator tested.

TwoFaced

Missing a ground could be a possibillity...if you miss one you can have all kinds of random problems you would never expect. Still following your build...nice to hear some life to it.

Corksil

i only see one big wire on the alternator. it is white and hidden under a rubber cap on a screw ring terminal. then there is a green plug with 4 small wires. too small to be grounds.

am i missing one or is this it?

thanks...

Corksil

btw the car runs now. got her goin by advancing timing all the way on the dizzy.

but the bat light is still on dash, car alllllmost dies when throttle lets off, and has a slight pulse under acceleration, almost a hesitation.

i'll look into anything you guys recommend.

Former User

^This is the alternator "ground wire". This pushes current from the alternator backwards through the battery to charge it.

Corksil

thanks so much. thought i was missing a wire. will pull alternator and test at parts store tomorrow.

multimeter registered no change in battery voltage when car started. in one vid i was running on 12.1v and in the other it was like 13.3v

appreciate the help. i luvs honda tech. we need stickers and tshirts for my car and my ripped muscles. and for the girlies. HONDA-TECH THONGS!!!!!!!!

BigDSimp

Did you find out if it was the alternator going bad? My battery light just started coming on a lot here in the past week and a half, too.

grumblemarc

iTrader: (4)

So get the alternator checked.

Corksil

FOLLOWUP - alternator was bad. I had it rebuilt. Battery was bad. I had it replaced.

battery light went off.

pityocamptes

Hope you changed your timing advance to correct timing...

94EG8

Noooo! The alternator ground is the bracket and the body of the alternator itself. That white white wire is positive.

Corksil

you're both right. it depends which way you look at the circuit.

like a lightbulb with two connectors. one is positive, other is ground. doesn't matter which you connect to where, the current flows through the bulb either way to complete the circuit.

but ya...