This is an interesting one, and if you know a lot about cars, I could really use yr help.


I was getting ready for a trip to New York last week, so I wanted to get prepped for the road. This included oil change, transmission fluid change, new tires, etc etc. I was also due for to have the timing belt changed, so I figured I'd do that too.

I took my civic into a garage to get the timing belt/water pump replaced. Got it done, no problems at that point.

The very next day, I'm going to take it in for all the fluid stuff, but I didn't even make it to the other garage. While driving, when I turned on the AC (which wasn't used the night before after I picked it up), the engine started making a squeaking sound. So I just turned the AC off, end of that. Until my car stopped accelerating properly and the battery light came on the dash. A quick look in my manual revealed that it meant the battery wasn't charging. I figured they didn't re-attach the battery properly, but if I made it to the garage they probobly could. Well, moments later, the malfunction light came on, my car stopped accelerating all together and I knew I wasn't going to make it. So I pull into a parking lot and call for a tow truck.

Tow truck driver comes, he wants me to back out of the parking space, and I attempt to, but now, when I start the car, it only runs for 10-15 seconds, and stops again. I tell the mechanic I just had the timing belt changed, he looks at and says it looks like it's on properly, but you never know. So we tow it to the garage (Formula Honda).

I get the oil/transmission fluid changed anyways from them, and I get on the phone with the garage I got the timing belt replaced at. They said tow it over there, and if the problem is their's, they'll pick up the tab and fix the problem.

So I tow it there, pay the driver, and the mechanic opens up my car within a minute says, "the alternator belt broke. It wasn't our fault." So I'm cringing, because it seems like a huge coincidence, but my focus was getting my car ready for my road trip. So I agree to them installing a new alternator belt and AC belt ('cause apparently they're supposed to be installed at the same time as the timing belt, but no one told me that when I brought it in)

I'm hanging out there, when the mechanic comes in and says, they replaced my alternator and AC belts, and my car still isn't working. It still only starts and runs for 15-20 seconds and shuts off again. And the worst part is, they can't figure out the problem, because the diagostic computer they're running into my engine isn't making a connection.

So I'm flabbergasted, I end up renting a car and going to NY. I left Friday morning, and came back today (Monday). My car still isn't fixed, and they still don't know the problem. Now what they want to do is install a new "used" computer for the engine since they think the old one is burned, and the computer is what powers the alternator belt.

They're still maintaining that this is just one great big coincidence, and this was not their fault.

All I know is on Wednesday my car was working, and on Thursday AFTER I had it "fixed," it wasn't anymore.

So, what do you guys think? What could have happened. Is it possible it had anything to do with mis-installing the timing belt, or not connecting the battery properly? Or are they right in that it's just a huge coincidence that they day after they replaced the timing belt, the alternator/battery broke, and the computer fried?

Thanks in advance,
Lou

 

uhm... wow... I don't know a whole lot about timing belts (startin to look into them I have to do one coming soon...)

-but as far as the alternator goes it all makes sense, belt gets loose and your pullys start free spinning under the belt (therefor causing the noise) or if it was too tight then the belt snaps and your alternator stops turning and inturn your car is not charging... and even though yes it's a good idea to change all the belts at once, not changing them shouldn't make them snap (but incorrect installation would)

-the computer does technically "control" the alternator but it has nothing to do with the belt

-and when the tow truck driver said it looked like the timing belt was on right??? One cannot see said belt by just popping the hood, so I'm kinda confused on that one

-*Edited out for being an idiot*... i doubt anything is wrong with your computer... and nothing is wrong with your alternator or batt

I know that I'm missing alot of stuff here but you got my head spinning with this story, there is so much that doesn't make logical sense, if everything is exactly like you say it is, it just doesn't sound right at all... and personally i wouldn't let that shop touch my car they sound fishy to me...


Modified by thinknology at 6:44 AM 8/1/2007


Modified by thinknology at 6:50 AM 8/1/2007

 

a mis-timed motor would rip itself apart (the valves and the pistons occupy the same space at the same time), but wouldnt cause an electrical failure. The broken belt, IS their fault, because it has to come off to change the T-belt. So.... if they had it off, then they put it back on, evidently too tight.
Its theoretically possible (but highly unlikely) for the belt to break and have the alternator throw some crazy voltage spike, but the ECU is fused.... so.... check the fuse box under the hood...
To OBD scan the car, you just need battery power, but if they cant scan the computer, then there's no power going to it.

 

Tow truck driver LOOKED at the timing belt on an 02 civic?! only if he had about a half an hour to take the valve cover off...

I have done a TON of these timing belts as I work at a dealership. I am willing to bet that the alternator/AC belt ( same belt ) was improperly installed causing it to break.

On a side note; I fail to trust a shop that wouln't replace the Alternator/AC belt and power steering belt at the same time as the timing belt/water pump.

Anyway, I also bet that the computer didn't fail. I bet that after they replaced it, and the car STILL DIDNT start, they felt stupid when they found that the AC belt cut right through the CRANK SENSOR wire harness. ( the sensor harness is located RIGHT next to the AC belt ).

This is all pure speculation. I have not seen your car and have not seen these guys work. So, I can't say. But I'm just sayin. Might not be a bad idea to have that harness peeked at. It's behind the crank pulley. If it looks like it has been tampered with, you may have been had.