Ok guys I need some insight into this little problem that popped up with my civic this evening. I was driving around and when I stopped at a light the radio cut out, the gauges died and the lights dimmed. So I revved it up to about 1k rpms and everything came back on. So I turned everything I could off and drove home (about 15-20 miles). The problem would only happen at idle, there was no more stops on my way home and the lights stayed nice and bright. So my initial thought was a bad alternator, but I'm not so sure. I'm going to check it out more in the morning, it was very cold out tonight. Any help is appreciated. Thanks

PS Completely stock D16Z6 if that helps.

 

I would guess the Alternator is starting to go bad. Go to AutoZone or somewere and have them check your alternator and battery for free.

 

to check the alternator is to turn the car on and unplug the battery.

if the car shut off than its the alternator that is bad.

 

ck the altenator then get back to us, you want to ck your battery as well.

this happened to me once but my reason was because my crank pulley was coming off...lol

 

Ok guys thanks for the quick replies. I will check that in the morning since it is 1 am here right now

 

Well I checked everything out, but all I have to check voltage with is a volts gauge from a mack truck haha.

12.5 volts at the batt, car off
14.5 volts high idle
12.5 volts everything on

It didn't die when I disconnected the batt at warm idle, but did die when disconnected w/ everything on. It seems my problem has disappeared, but I'm gonna take a 30 mi ride now w/ my volts gauge and see what happens.

 

Did you run the test with acc. on like the head lights, blower motor to create more of a load on the system? If not I would repeat the test and see what happens

 

Yes I did, all was fine it seems

 

The battery could be the culprit, if anything grab the same type of battery from one of your friends/family car and test it out on your car. My buddies and i have similiar cars so i'm always taking parts off there cars to test on my car (keep in mind its not always a good idea to do this though haha). GL bro

 

Well I have no idea how old the batt is or how many times it's been jumped, as I just bought this car 8 months ago. But the batt is an Interstate. It does look like its been there for a while tho. I'll check it out, there should be a date code on it right?

 

u should change the battery anyway if the alternator is bad

 

So I determined the alt was bad, and I replaced it with a reman'd Bosch alt a week ago. Now I was driving around town today, and the batt light comes on at about 3k rpm. I charged the batt up b4 I started it up with the new alt, and then I took it to Autozone to have the batt load tested. It tested out fine at 11.5 volts under full load.

So whats my problem now? Should I get the batt tested again? I'm hoping its not the new alt, it was a pain to replace. Thanks

 

C'mon guys help me out I gotta fix this car

 

Is the alternator belt possibly slipping occasionally? Is it loose or glazed? You might consider putting a new belt on and making sure it's good and tight.

Alternatively, some rebuilt alternators are very unreliable. Mine has needed to be replaced three times now (small consolation = lifetime warranty at AutoZone).

 

voltage regulator?. if its not your battery and your alternator is new then that would be my be.t check all the ground wires too... any new wiring done in your car lately?

 

ive had the same problem and it was my alternator

 

.... The voltage regulator is located on the alternator and would of been changed if he replaced the alternator.

Honestly I would just borrow a known good battery from somebody for a day, or hell if you have the money buy one, and see if the problem persists.

 

hes right i forgot about that. if your running so many accesories your alt cant keep up maybe your batter is dead