Car has 142K miles. 1990 LX 4 door.

Couple weeks ago my battery indicator light started to come up. About half the time it would not come on at all. Other times it would flicker and either go out or stay on. For quite some time the car started strongly and worked fine despite this behavior. Sears and Honda checked the battery and charging system - it passed. I do not know if the light was on or not when they tested the system. I cleaned the battery terminals about this time and checked the fuse block. All was fine.

Tonight I was out driving and the light was on. When I stopped for gas and then went to start my car it turned over and started but weakly. Was not a strong start. On the way home lights started to dim and gauges failed. Tach quit working and my temperature gauge started to show low incorrectly. Dash lights and headlights dimmed. I barely made it home.

So. What is this likely to be? Alternator is one thing. What about other options? Could it be a flakey or weak short somewhere draining the system or making it tough to charge up? I have a headlight housing with some water in there and a rusting reflector. Not sure if that could be an issue or not. Looking for some ideas before I give up and take this to the dealer. I don't want to rip the whole car apart.

Thanks

 

alternator.

 

yep. thats what i'd put my money on

 

i agree^^

 

yep 100% alternator

 

it could be the power steering

 

OK so there's not much else this is likely to be other than the alternator? Can I tell for certain by disconnecting the battery while the car is running - or is that a bad idea?

Honda quoted me $150 labor and $235 for a new part. Is that the best I can do on that if it comes down to it?

 

yes you can test it like that,

DUDE [freak] THAT!
you can get an alternator from autozone with lifetime warranty for 120, install it yourself its 2 bolts and a belt!!!

 

also check battery cable. mine was loose.

 

Thanks guys. I have a mechanic friend of mine who will spend a couple hours with me on Saturday doing some troubleshooting. I'm charging the battery back up with a charger tonight. Don't want to leave it low on juice for very long.

We'll try disconnecting the battery while the car is on and see what happens.

The local Checker has a alternator, lifetime warranty, for $139. Beats Honda's price that's for sure. As far as the install goes if it comes to that I'll think about doing it myself but I may not. $150 is a lot but it's kind of a pain since the car has to come up off the ground and you have to loosen up that axle. I don't have tools or even ramps. So we'll see what happens.

 

what alternator are u replacing u can replace it with the car on the ground.

 

even on my b series swapped civic hatch i do not have to mess with the axle.

All you do is pull it from the bottom of the car.
I had to remove the oil filter on my engine which is like opening a water bottle, but thats because i was putting a ls alternator in, which is bigger.
learn how to change an alternator now and save money for the rest of your life.

mechanics is a very very good thing to learn.

 

I had to pull my driver side axle.. very easy.. I have a built turbo b18c1 in my crx, even with the oil filter off I dont think it wouldve cleared the half shaft. I replaced mine with a z6's all I had to do was file the back slot a little more on the bracket to get the tension on the belt to spec.. filed it about 1/4 " or just a bit more.
Honda is a rip off! go to a wrecker..

 

A friend of mine says it is usually the brushes. I can get one of these for $6

http://cgi.ebay.com/HONDA-CIVI...l1247