okay, so i have a h22a4 and seems like my battery keeps getting drained. i have a yellow top optima battery and tested it yesterday at 11.6 amps but recharged it to 12.6. so i thought it was the alternator and got that tested also. its also good too.

if i jumpstart the car, it'll start. but the car will start to lag ALOT once i start driving, especially with my hid's on. the cluster starts to dim and the needles wont work.

if anyone knows what can be the cause of this, PLEASE help me out.. THANKS!

 

Did you check all of your connections to the alternator?

 

Its your alternator.

You have an optima which is a great battery and if there's not a problem with any of your connections to it or your alternator then more than likely its your alternator.

Your interior lights dimming and your tach needle not working is a sign that not only is your car running on just you battery voltage but also that it is not enough power to run your engine and all the lights that its trying to...

If you have a digital multimeter then its easy to check operation of your alternator.

Your voltage on a charged battery should be at least 12.6 volts and while the engine is running the battery voltage should be at least 14 volts if it is not then your alternator is not supplying enough voltage to run the engine, accessories and charge the battery.

I don't know who you had test your alternator but I would be....to say the least....skeptical if it was an autozone or something...

 

With a multimeter you want charging voltage to be at least 13.2v while the car is running. And no more than 15.1v

 

Simply put that if your car starts to lag while its on, its alternator related. Nothing to do with battery.

The car runs off the alternator and the battery is pretty much just for the starter to start the car.

Check your fuses too. I forget if the preludes have this, but on my work truck there is a fuse that pops and doesnt allow the altenator to work correctly and kills the car.

 

hey kmeng i also have a h22a4 and a yellow top optima.. and also replaced the alternator, but im having the same problems. i got the alternator tested on the car says that its not putting out enough power to support the system. but when i yank it and get it checked it passes every time. i have checked all fuses,grounds,connections and all.. but im still having a draining problem when im driving. also car seems to want to overheat but then drops back to normal temp.....

wondering if you have a vtec controller also on your car by any chance?

 

You both have issues with your ground/power wires. replace the main ground/power wires to the battery and chassis. **** it might be your battery terminals, clean them up.

 

jun, there very clean and i have changed the terminals. should i replace the entire thing?

 

@btownprelude if the terminals are good, first thing first is check your power and ground wire visually. does it look good? okay? or needs to be replaced? my 93 si, had the same symptoms that both of you two had. took it to my dads friend and they couldnt fix it. took it to the shop and the cut up my ignition wires to just get it going and it later, next day had the same problem. I first replaced my ground wires, it continue to happen, then my power wires. It was golden afterwards. The wires were bad and it only cost me then like 25 bucks then for both power and ground wires. You will be amazed that it will be just those or of those wires. from what your saying i suggest replacing the main power wires.

 

how do they go bad though they look visibly good. but ill get some new ones and throw them on tomorrow. best place to get some?

 

check the wires for color, and if it is brittle. i honestly dont know how they go bad. (not too much of a metal expert) but with some fresh copper, it juiced up and started great. i bought my wires from a auto-parts store here in san diego that specializes in japanese vehicles. just make sure there the correct lengths. aftermarket honda parts usually dont fit too well. find a store near u.

 

alright man thanks, fixing to go get some new ones from an auto parts place. thanks man and ill let you know whats up after

 

well ****, bought a new main ground for my car and added another one from the battery, day 2 problems gone?? 10 buck fix which costed me alot more!.. lol