Recently I posted a few problems with my CRX. One being my idle kept dropping. The other day my friend mentioned something about my alternator. That night when i started my car with my lights already on it barely started. As soon as it got cranking around 200 RPMs i noticed my lights were kinda dim. I gave it a little bit of gas to bump up the idle to normal rpm range. (600-900) As soon as it kicked up my lights got bright as usual. I thought about what my friend said and decided to ask you guys if that could be the problem.

 

bump.. i hope someone knows if this is the problem.. if so im gonna order a new one tonight

 

Yes, a bad alternator could cause idle problems.

 

I'm going to go out on a limb and say, check the tension on your alternator belt. If it's too loose, or if the belt is frayed, you could be dropping power, thus reflecting in a lower idle.
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by http://www.alternatorparts.com/under...lternators.htm &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
"What does that little red light that says ALT mean when it comes on?" Very basically, it means that either the alternator output voltage is lower than the battery voltage, or the battery voltage is lower than the alternator output voltage. If the light gets dimmer as you rev up the engine, then you most likely have a problem with the alternator. If it gets brighter, then the battery is most likely bad.
</TD></TR></TABLE>

[In this case, the battery light is what you should be looking at.]


<FONT COLOR="blue">Try that first.</FONT>

There are many symptoms of having low power problems ie: dimming lights, that are not related to the alternator or battery, also. Those sometimes are just pointing to other problems.

Check the FAQ at the top of the <u>CRX / EF Civic Forum</u>. There should be threads in there that can hep you narrow down the problem, before shelling out on a new alternator or battery, however IMO it's one of the two, your alternator belt, or its tension.

Examples of other idle problems :

https://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=2153910

CRX / EF Civic FAQ :

https://honda-tech.com/zerothread/1508680

Good luck. See how nice us in GDD can be?

 

belt tension is a good idea, but...
if you have bright lights in your 'normal' rpm range, then the alternator is doing it's job.

your idle problem is most likely a vacuum leak (say the intake gasket or a hose) or your FITV or IACV. i believe i had loose throttle body nuts cause this, and definitely the intake gasket.

don't know if you've played with your idle adjustment screws, but if you have they might have loosened over time. i would check these other routes, maybe clean and tighten electrical connections, before buying an alternator

 

Thanks for the info, I hope its not the battery because I just bought a Honda battery 4 months ago. Also I noticed today the negative battery connector is on the loose side. I'm going to try and tighten it up tomorrow. I'll try to get around to checking the throttle body, alternator belt, and IACV. Ill let you guys know how it goes. Once again thanks for the replies.

 

out on a limb with the 'random and rare issues' thing, had this happen to me though. Problem was my alternator in the end, needed replacement but what has caused it to go out was the master brake cyl was busted right above it and was dropping brake fluid into it. Easy check, is alt dry or covered in brake fluid? Let's hope not...

Like is said, random and rare, but I swear it happened.

 

I think it was dry when I last looked at it. I could be wrong so Ill check first thing in the morning.

-Oh I did check the belt and it was not frayed or loose.